Carnegie Mellon University

Positive Discipline Pointer: Clear and Consistent Behavior Expectations

At times of transition, children adjust best when adults provide clear expectations and stable routines for safe and smooth interactions. Consistency is key for facilitating productive adaptations to new situations.

That’s why the Children’s School staff spends so much time during the first six weeks of school teaching children the expectations and routines of our school days. Taking the time to establish these practices so that they become comfortable and automatic will free both children and adults to responsibly focus on deeper learning and more challenging activities as the year progresses. We take special care in the Make Shop, the Kitchen, and with campus trips because of the extra safety concerns involved.

One way that you can help the children both at school and home is by modeling the same behavior expectations with the same words that the children hear at school.

We’ll all benefit from working across contexts to:

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  • Be a kind friend.

  • Follow the routine.

  • Use your words.

  • Use walking feet.

  • Put everything in its place.

  • Listen the first time.

  • Stay in your own space.

  • Use inside voices.

  • Use things appropriately.