#lostatschool

[helloearlychildhoodeducatio-blog]

In Lost at School, Ross Greene asks educators to take a look at their discipline program. He argues that a system of punishment and rewards does not work for children with behavioral challenges. He suggests that educators instead try to get to the bottom of each child’s behavioral challenges and provides a template for discussion with parents, and students on how to pinpoint and begin to solve problem behaviors with the child. Greene highlights the importance of listening to children about their issues. 

“vast majority of challenging kids already know how we want them to behave. They know they’re supposed to do what they’re told. They know they’re not supposed to disrupt the learning of their classmates or run out of the school when they’re upset or embarrassed. And they know they’re not supposed to hit people, swear, or call out in class. So they don’t need us to put lots of effort into teaching them how we want them to behave. And while this may be hard to believe, most challenging kids already want to behave the right way. They don’t need us to continue giving them stickers, depriving them of recess, or suspending them from school; they’re already motivated. They need something else from us.” - Ross Greene, Lost at School. 

“Challenging behavior occurs when the demands and expectations being placed upon a child outstrip the skills he has to respond adaptively.” - Ross Greene, Lost at School. 

“The school discipline program isn’t working for the kids who aren’t doing well and isn’t needed by the kids who are.” -Ross Greene, Lost at School.