Conversations with a Conscious Discipline Skeptic Part 1: Resistance

This is Part 1 of a three-part series.

Conscious Discipline takes an innovative approach to social-emotional learning. It asks adults to make a mindset shift and skill set upgrade before teaching children to do the same. By first guiding adults to become conscious, present, attuned and responsive to their needs and the needs of children, Conscious Discipline creates sustainable transformation. Of course, transformational change can be overwhelming, difficult, or scary for adults.

This three-part video series follows fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Lewis through the process that is natural for many adults when they first encounter Conscious Discipline:

·       Hesitant resistance
·       Building excitement
·       Transformation

In Part 1 of this series, Mrs. Lewis explains why she feels skeptical about Conscious Discipline at the start of her implementation journey: her students are too old for Conscious Discipline, she doesn’t have enough time to take on additional tasks, etc. You’ll see how then-principal Ms. Oliver responds empathetically to her hesitation and asks if she’s willing to give it a try.