​Introduction to Conscious Discipline Parenting

   Consider this the Open House for the class – laying the foundation for
understanding to be able to learn the 7 skills and 7 powers of this philosophy.

Each week we will focus on one of each in more depth.

Today’s Agenda:
1.Shifts & Our Role
2. Disengage Stress
3.Our Brains & Skills
4. Connections = Values & Life Skills

Conscious Discipline is a research-based program that helps adults stay calm enough to see
misbehavior and upset as a signal to teach instead of punish. It all starts with mental shifts
and knowing our role.

Shifts:
1. From trying to fix the child to build healthy relationships
2. The way we teach values by flipping the practice of “do as I say not as I do” to “be the
change you want to see”.
​
Our Role:
To be safekeepers - the adults who are counted on to keep our children emotionally &
physically safe. Children can only learn when they feel emotionally and physically safe.
Learning includes:
1. How to wait for a turn
        2. How to say “no thank you”
                       3. How to be able to keep a still body
4. How to share an idea
       5. How to work with others
                      6. How to calm down after an upset
                   7. ABC’s & 123’s

Disengage Stress:
It all begins with the right state of mind for us then the child.

How?

BREATHE - 3 Deep Belly Breaths helps to shut off the stress response in the body!
1- long inhale..........................................................................................
Exhale..........................................................................................................

2- long
inhale.................................................................................................
Exhale..........................................................................................................

3 - long inhale..........................................................................................
Exhale..........................................................................................................

Just like adults, children feel stressed about things going on in their lives too – nap time, boo
boo’s, fear of spiders or unicorns, arguments with friends, restless sleep or staying at school
without their loved one to care for them and any other kid problem that can throw off their
day.
So, our job as parents and care providers is to teach them active calming strategies so their
brains are physically ready to learn. At school we use the S.T.A.R (Smile Take a Deep Breath &
Relax) or Smell the Flower Blow out the Candle.

3.Our Brains & Skills
Watch this video to understand how our brains states, skills and how to understand how to
respond to our children’s behaviors.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVJV7G8x3s

​
4. Connections = Values & Life Skills
Connection is the glue that holds our relationships together and can be done in small amounts of time while
having huge impacts as it builds roads in our brains making it crave more. So, our interactions with our
children shape their brains.

Connections Require:
1. Eye Contact
2. Physical Touch
3. Presence
4. Playful Setting

So how?

I Love You Rituals! They are little social games we can play or rituals we have.
Remember Patty Cake, and This Little Piggy? Those moments create the feeling that comes when we get a
reward, but they are so much more meaningful!
See 5 min video above for more on this amazing discovery.
The more you connect in these moments the more your child will be able to access their ability to learn
throughout the day – Executive State.

Connection = Learning Values and Life Skills
Respect Integrity
Helpful Cooperation
Willing Empathy
Accepting Responsibility

What Now?

Commit : Connect with your child(ren) 1-3 times a day with – eye contact, touch,
presence in a playful setting.
Have older children too?
High fives, low fives, fist bumps, extra hug and encouraging words “Hope your day is
awesome!”, “You’ve got what it takes to rock today!”
Listen to their day while looking at them end with a hug, high five, fist bump and a “Thanks
for sharing your day with me”

Reflect

What is it that you want your children to learn?

What is important for them to know?

What do you value?

All information is from consciousdiscipline.com/ and their YouTube channel www.youtube.com/lovingguidance