The Behaviour Problem in schools …
From an early age, what have we been taught to do when we have a problem?
I want to acknowledge 2 familiar options….
- don’t tell anyone … OR … 2. tell an adult
With the 2nd option in the school environment, students run, to the nearest adult, and tell the story about what someone did to them.
The result is often, the other person – whose name is mentioned as the proposed perpetrator – either runs away to avoid potential punishment, or they are super-fast to come running up calling out .. “No .. you did this to me first”!!
Then the young persons’ eyes turn to the adult, waiting!
Pressure is on. “Right .. listen to both stories then make a decision!!” thinks the adult.
The adult stands in a place of needing to promptly judge who is right and who is wrong!
This often means one is punished and one breathes a sigh of relief! “Phew … done,” potentially thinks the adult.
Witnessing first-hand the ripple effect of this option ….
.. ALWAYS brings disconnection between the young people involved.
One is potentially MADE to say sorry, and they most often do, for various reasons … even when it goes against what is true for them.
The same student may end up in “time out” or having a behaviour report written up about their actions.
In Different Track, we explore the impact of this “POWER OVER” concept.
Different Track gives an alternative….
Once we acknowledge the impact of “POWER OVER”, we explore “POWER WITH” – exploring a response that encourages a building connection to oneself, then others, whilst promoting resilience, accountability and problem solving.
Different Track focuses on a language based around observations, feelings, needs and requests … with listening being at the forefront … where the adult steps back to become the witness – or facilitator.
In our training day, we explore the impact of shame and blame .. even through the words “should/shouldn’t”.
Have you ever noticed the drooping of the shoulders when a person is told to say sorry to someone else because they have been judged as being in the wrong?
Different Track encourages becoming aware of being aware!
Is Different Track for you?
This experience is for ONLY 2 passionate staff members from ONE school, who are open to exploring an approach to behaviour that encourages connection to oneself and hence, with others.
Are you willing to …
… learn a new language yourself?
… make arrangements for your class to be covered for the time slot from the start of the day to recess?
… witness the implementation of this Different Track approach to behaviour with the facilitator during recess
… be present to body language and listening to students when they return to your classroom after recess?
… find flexibility to stand in whatever the needs are of the class in the now .. and run with it?
… during lunchtime, put into practise what you have learnt – with the Different Track facilitator?
… take the lead with your “after lunch” session from a place of heart and presence – with the Different Track facilitator as a witness?
… attend a whole day gathering (at the end of the month) with schools in your shire who have participated in the training day.
[ameliabooking]
