Consequences vs. Punishments with High School Students

Real Talk for Real Teachers with Dr. Becky Bailey and special guest Steve Hummer

Episode Summary

Effective consequences, rather than ineffective punishments, are embedded in Conscious Discipline. Unlike punishment, consequences teach children to solve problems, learn from mistakes, take responsibility and focus on learning a new skill. Understanding the logic behind choosing consequences instead of punishment is easy when we’re dealing with younger children. With older children, it becomes far more difficult. We believe, “They ought to know better by now.”

In this episode, high school Social Studies teacher and Certified Instructor Steve Hummer shares how and why he uses consequences instead of punishments with his high school students. He also explains that he has found relationship-building and natural consequences to be far more effective than punishments, which often stigmatize children as bad and rarely deter them from repeating misbehavior. Learn alternative strategies to “punishment for the sake of punishment” that make a lasting positive difference with high school students.

Essential Takeaways

• In Conscious Discipline, consequences are everywhere, every day. The goal of Conscious Discipline is to learn from our mistakes, take responsibility for our actions, and be accountable for learning new skills that enhance our ability to live our highest values.
• Synonyms for punishment include revenge, retaliation, and vengeance. Consequences, not punishments, are embedded in Conscious Discipline.
• The fear of punishment inhibits our ability to self-regulate and almost guarantees that changes in behavior are impossible.
• When students act out in the classroom, we can’t take it personally. Typically, there is something else going on. If we can determine what it is, we can help solve the problem and change the behavior.
• When we engage in power struggles, we can’t solve the problem. If we remain calm, we can work together with the student to find a helpful solution and teach better strategies for the future. We can also teach them to calm and to build positive relationships with others.

Important Links

• ConsciousDiscipline.com
• Why Conscious Discipline Consequences Work and Punishments Don’t
• Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor Steve Hummer

Product Mentions

• The NEW Conscious Discipline Book- Expanded and Updated
• Award-Winning Conscious Discipline E-Course

Show Outline

• :18 What is Conscious Discipline?
• :41 Consequences vs. punishments with high school students
• 3:25 Impact of punishment and fear of punishment on the brain
• 5:14 Introduction of guest Steve Hummer
• 7:35 “Where are the consequences?”
• 11:30 Importance of logical consequences and problem-solving
• 12:14 Quit Taking It Personally
• 13:40 Effects of sending children out of the classroom
• 14:30 What you focus on, you get more of
• 16:02 Teaching students how to calm vs. power struggles
• 18:20 “I want you in the room”
• 20:05 Additional problems with escalating punishments
• 27:40 What’s Becky up to?
• 28:37 What’s Becky celebrating?

Thank You for Listening

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On behalf of our Conscious Discipline family, we wish you well.