In many schools, the usual approach to discipline is to teach toward obedience using rewarding, telling, and punishing. These are all various forms of manipulation, pressure, or coercion—and often induce stress and resistance. By contrast, if a discipline approach is used where students are motivated to be responsible, then obedience becomes a natural by-product.
The fact is that young people—pre-school through 12th grade—want to be responsible, but we are using ineffective approaches to help them. However, when schools implement the Hierarchy of Social Development as described in Discipline Without Stress, they reduce discipline problems, improve classroom management, and increase academic performance.
How is this possible? It is the effect of the Hierarchy of Social Development—how people grow—that makes teaching it so valuable.
Using the hierarchy separates the act from the actor, the deed from the doer, irresponsible behavior from a good person. Separation is critical so people don’t feel the natural impulse to defend themselves, their behavior, or their choices.
In short:
- Using the hierarchy brings attention to the fact that people are constantly making choices.
- Using the hierarchy fosters intrinsic motivation so young people WANT to behave responsibly and WANT put forth effort to learn.
- Using the hierarchy fosters character development without mentioning values, ethics, or morals.
For more information about bringing this powerful and exciting system that promotes motivation for learning and raises individual and social responsibility to your school, click here.
