The Kid Whisperer: How to stop taking away recess as a punishment
Published in Lifestyles
After properly delaying a learning opportunity, this is how I might give the learning opportunity at your school to two third-graders during any non-instructional time:
Kid Whisperer: Looks like you two are currently struggling with not causing a problem with each other.
Kid #1: He’s the one who…
Kid Whisperer: Yeesh. I don’t argue. How long do you both need to practice not causing a problem with each other: 10 minutes or 15 minutes?
Kid #1: 10 minutes.
Kid #2: I plead the Fifth on account of this being stupid.
Kid Whisperer: 10 minutes is fine. OK, you both can just sit here and read or talk or play a game or stare at the wall. You just can’t sleep because you can’t learn to not cause problems and sleep at the same time. Your time starts now. I’ll count each and every minute during which you successfully avoid causing problems. I’ll like you no matter how long it takes to learn this.
If you are saying to yourself, “WHAT?!?! They can talk to each other or play a game??” remember, it’s not about punishment. It’s about learning and skill acquisition! It’s OK if they like it!
Punishment only teaches kids to dislike authority figures. Using Delayed Learning Opportunities teaches skills for a healthy, happy life.
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