He masturbates openly in school...we can't stop him.

[MidwestMom]

Most of you know I work at a daycare that uses some methods I think are questionable including no discipline and you can't say the words "no" or "don't" to our kids. We also can not remove them from their peers even if the child gives another a bloody nose nor can we make them apologize. This is called "Conscious Discipline." Thankfully I am usually on the bus and not in the classroom.

I just learned something else about this form of discipline. If children swear or talk sexy, no matter WHAT they say, we are not allowed to intervene and tell them that the language is not nice. We have to let them "express themselves." We have one child who walks around with his hands down his pants all day long. We are also not allowed to even address the issue or pretend that we notice. That is a part of a child "expressing himself."

Does this sound rational to anyone? Is there something I'm missing here? I think the whole idea of this conscious discipline is plain useless and goofy. It's supposed to encourage kids to talk to each other and in the four year old classe, the teachers WILL say, after two k ids have an altercation, "Johnny, is there anything you'd like to say to Joey?" Then the child can speak his piece and Joey is then allowed to answer. He can apologize if he likes, but a child can not be forced to apologize.

Is this how our schools are headed? I hear this is common in secular early education schools (2-5 year olds).

[HaoZi]

As a parent I'd have a problem with my child being exposed to other children "expressing themselves" in such ways. I expect other children to be removed or mine to be moved somewhere safe when she's having a bad time, I expect the same in return. And heaven knows, my kid can learn enough bad language when I drive, I don't need her learning extra stuff elsewhere!

[buddy]

oh good grief. I can see some group thinking to this extreme but I dont get who actually puts their kids there, LOL!

[InsaneCdn]

I thought we got past that stuff back in the 80s and 90s... it sure isn't common in our part of the world.

[Signorina]

Not common here either - but I have to say that young boys do have a fascination with their "parts". I swear one of mine must have checked his 20x a day - like he was afraid it was going fall off or something. And he had a habit of grabbing himself thru his clothes when nervous ... I can't tell you how many times I said "let go please" or eventually: "it's not a handle" ... At his preschool "concert" I was so afraid he would be up on stage, singing his heart out with one hand planted firmly on his doodad.

And I won't say which of my pcs it was...but he did get over it and "part awareness" is a pretty common thing in young boys...heck in males of all ages - but they do get more discreet! LOL

But -I would be ticked as all heck if my preschooler was hearing "sexy talk" or swearing at school

[donna723]

I think "Conscious Discipline" must really mean "no discipline at all"!

[susiestar]

This place has completely destroyed whatever plans were behind this. We had a similar sounding thing a few years back but it sure did NOT mean the kids did what they wanted no matter what. Isn't there another daycare you could work in? THis one is beyond wrong.

[Hound dog]

I can't help but wonder if parents of these children have a clue just how far this "expressing themselves" thing is taken? This is extreme. And I'm sorry, but NOT normal. Society does NOT work this way. So what are they teaching these children? To be outcasts the moment they're out of that environment?

I have a feeling if parents had a clue as to how far this is being taken that most of them would be yanking their kids out. Even parents that seem to think it's ok for their kid to hit others rarely like it when other kids are allowed to hit their own child. kwim?

As for the little guy with his hands in his pants........fairly normal behavior for a toddler boy who hasn't been taught better. His poor mom is probably trying to get it under control and then he goes to school and no one cares which makes it worse. ugh

I know you probably need the job, but if it were me I'd be letting parents know just how extreme this policy is being taken.....even if it meant I'd have to look for work somewhere else.

[InsaneCdn]

There is, unfortunately, a dangerous twist to this.
Kids need to be taught to keep certain things private. (we all agree to that)
Part of the reason... is to not attract unwanted and dangerous attention.
UGH.

[MidwestMom]

The kids ARE NOT allowed to touch each other or even kiss each other on the cheeks. THAT is stopped.

This is state funded and the parents are in the poverty level. Many are still teenagers. They don't know what conscious discipline is, although the school tries to teach it to the parents (honest!). Many of the families are involved in social services.

I need the job and there are few jobs around here.Quttig isn't an option. Fortunately, I'm mostly on the bus instead of the classroom and don't see these things that often. I hear about it from the teachers, who don't like it either.