THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING SELF-DISCIPLINE TO LEARNERS IN GABORONE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL.
Understanding child development takes the emphasis away from the child's character looking at the child as good or bad. The emphasis is put on behaviour as a communication. Making self-discipline so far as a problem-solver.
Self-discipline involves resisting temptation and being determined. With all learners having dreams, to make those dreams come to reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort. The three forms of self-discipline are active discipline, reactive discipline and proactive discipline.
It is easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult. Self-disciplined children, stay focused and motivated irrespective of one’s feelings, emotions or physical weaknesses.
A self-disciplined child does not need anyone to tell them what to do. According to Sherrie Campbell, self-disciplined children are empathetic, responsible, self-motivated, self-confident, respectful, accountable and resilient.
TRAITS OF SELF-DISCIPLINED CHILDREN
In Lauren Greenlee’s words, “A self-disciplined child says ‘no’ to desirable objects in the immediate but also chooses to say, ‘yes’ to what is right regardless of how she or he feels.”
We live in a culture that breeds egoism, the habit of valuing everything only regarding personal interest, beyond all else. Self-disciplined children, in contrast, seek to see beyond themselves and can put themselves in someone else’s shoes.
Self-disciplined children see their role as a valuable one and strive to put forth their best effort, knowing their actions affect others as well as themselves.
They respect the authority figures in their life, viewing their role as helpful and valuable. Instead of undermining someone in Leadership when they disagree, a self-disciplined child has the confidence to assert themselves and does so through a respectful appeal.
EXAMPLES OF SELF-DISCIPLINE
· Greetings
· Brushing teeth
· Tidying up
· Doing homework
· Bathing
· Making the bed
Children learn self-discipline from routines, family chores and family schedules. They also learn self-discipline when they know the consequence awaiting them if they don’t follow through with their routines, especially at home.
As said by Dr James Dobson that loving self-discipline encourages a child to respect other people and live as a responsible, constructive citizen. Hence, we should develop self-discipline by starting with small goals and increasing the level of challenge slowly with time.
CHILDREN WHO ARE WELL-BEHAVED
We live in a culture where the highest compliment a parent can receive is that his or her kid is “well-behaved”. These are children who conduct themselves in proper ways according to the rules set; they listen to and do what they are told to do.
They are always willing to take a back seat for somebody else to take the one in front or give opportunities to a more needy person.
They are mindful, sincere, and polite and strive to work to the best of their ability.
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?
Being aware of how we inaccurately interchange “well-behaved” with behaviours such as “shy” is something worth considering.
“The definitions of “nice” or “polite” are completely subjective. The concept of emotional control has devolved from the skill of regulating strong emotions so as not to act out in an aggressive manner. Emotional control has become a desired ability to respond with emotion publicly in a way that is deemed appropriate by Western elites (Waltz, 2020).”
To this, I reflect on a Parenting Support Worker’s statement that “Don’t mistake ‘shy’ for well-behaved.” These words were the ones I didn’t know that I needed to hear because the two are not the same and truly, people exchange “shy” for “well-behaved.
Well-behaved children unlike self-disciplined children need somebody to remind them what to do or how to behave.
IMPORTANCE OF SELF DISCIPLINE
Self-discipline is important because it helps maintain focus, acquits children with inner self and further better self-control.
According to Topper, self-control is the stepping stone to a disciplined life.
It allows children to control their emotions and become more practical in life.
Self-control helps in pushing oneself to attain their goals and success.
Furthermore, self-discipline is advantageous because it helps:
· the students to overcome bad habits.
· believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.
· to stick to their commitments more easily.
· to see projects through to completion.
