OUR DISCIPLINE POLICY

  1. Positive methods of discipline will be used to encourage self-confidence, self-esteem and self-control. For example, directing a child to another activity rather than away from an activity, restricting a younger child from a problem situation, recognizing and encouraging acceptable behavior, helping children to understand that they are acceptable but that their action or behavior is unacceptable (and why), and encouraging children to cooperate with others and solve problems by talking things out.

  2. No form of mental abuse (shaming, humiliating or frightening the child, etc.) will be used by any adult in the facility.

  3. No form of physical abuse (spanking, swatting, hitting, shaking, pinching, etc.) will be used by any adult in the facility.

  4. There will be no discipline of children in association with food, rest, or toilet training.

  5. Children may occasionally be restrained (held by an adult) to prevent them from harming themselves, other people, or property.

  6. Time-out (“sitting in the chair”) in a supervised area may be used for children who have developed enough self-control to sit in one place (one minute per year of age) IF they are working on a reoccurring issue.

  7. Rules must be appropriate to the situation and the child’s level of understanding (i.e., Throwing hard toys is prohibited because someone may get hurt).

  8. The adults will model and encourage kind and respectful behavior.

  9. Parents will be informed if their child is having behavior problems.

  10. Parents may be asked to remove a child from the facility if serious behavior problems occur which interfere with the care of the group. Decisions will be based on the best interests of the entire group of Owl House children.