Behaviour and positive discipline

A positive approach to discipline

At Alamiyah a positive approach to discipline is employed since behaviour is a form of communication. Children are constantly communicating their needs and wants through their behaviour whether it is constructive or disruptive. Disruptive behaviour, whether physical and/or verbal, is displaying the child's belief system about themselves and how they feel. Discovering the belief behind the behaviour is a crucial starting point in positive discipline. The aim of positive discipline is to help provide children with the tools to effectively manage their own behaviour in order to promote inner self-discipline and wellbeing. This is done in an environment of mutual respect and encouragement.

Recurring, persistent and severe behaviour

With re-occurring, persistent and severe behaviour issues, measures are first put in place to understand the root cause of recurring behaviour. The aim is always to understand the child, remove obstacles that may impede their development (and be the cause) and lay out steps/strategies to help the child develop inner discipline. Children often test and push boundaries, it is a normal process of their development as they make sense who they are and in the formation of their personalities. The emphasis is on the process of bringing the child to inner discipline and wellbeing. This is our goal and how we measure our success.

Training, and the tone adults use

All staff will be inducted into the Positive Discipline approach and training provided to ensure they are competent in applying it. Practitioners do not raise their voices except in an emergency for safety reasons, they are gentle and encourage children, they apply agreed rules and boundaries consistently. Parents are also expected to acquaint themselves with our behaviour policy and our Positive Discipline approach through reading our policy and attending positive discipline training and workshops at the setting.

Code of expected behaviour

Children flourish best when they know how they are expected to behave and should be free to play and learn without fear of being hurt or unfairly restricted by anyone else. We aim to provide an environment in which there is acceptable behaviour and where children learn to respect themselves, other people and their environment. Acceptable behaviour includes being respectful to all adults and children, including visitors as well as members of the general public. This includes:

• listening attentively to others and being listened to

• being ready and receptive to receive presentations

• sharing of ideas and contributions from others

• acknowledging the rights of others whether children, teachers, visitors or general public

• taking responsibility of one's own actions and their consequences

What children are also expected to do

In addition, children are expected to:

• be polite, courteous and respectful

• respect the personal space of others

• use acceptable and appropriate language at all times. The use of derogatory or obscene language is unacceptable and not tolerated

• handle the property of others as well as the setting with care and respect

• be on time so as to minimise disruption and take part in morning assemblies

• play while maintaining the rights and boundaries of others without harm or any physical force, e.g. no rough play

How we deal with behavioural issues

Prophetic values underpin our approach to education; we therefore train all staff and children to work with these values. Difficult behaviour will be dealt with within the guidelines of the Montessori and Islamic philosophy, where children are loved, respected and listened to. We do not endorse harshness in any situation. We promote an approach which is firm and kind.

If a behaviour issue arises:

• The teacher involved will speak to the child with kindness and patience to either address the issue or redirect them depending on the issue.

• If the behavioural issue continues, the teacher will raise it with the Manager/Director, who will investigate the issue.

• The Manager/Director will speak to the parents if necessary so that the setting and the parents can work in partnership to try and get to the root of the issue.

• We do not use a time out procedure or punish the children.

Records, and when a parent is called

Ongoing behavioural concerns will be discussed with parents and recorded on a "Child Behaviour" record form. On the occasion that a child becomes aggressive towards children and staff, and in the case where the child is unable to stop the aggression, the parent will be called to collect their child.

The Behaviour Management Officer is Mrs Emine Said.