Developing challenging behavior is a normal part of children's growth, and the Montessori education setup is equipped to teach children how to correct their behavior. The children receive discipline but retain the freedom to choose what to do. Even when disciplining, the Montessori education system emphasizes treating children with respect and trusting them to learn from their mistakes.

Ways We Help Students Who Struggle With Behavior

At Mountain West Montessori Academy, we have five strategies we apply to help students correct their behavior. They include:

1. Using Clear Language and Informing the Students on Causality

Our educators set clear expectations that inform the children of what they should do to get the desired results. Informing children of the relationship between actions and the opportunities they create motivates them to take on good behavior, hoping to reap the benefits the behavior makes possible.

2. Giving Positive Instructions

Children receive information and instructions better when said in the positive rather than the negative. For example, it's better to tell the child what he should do over what he shouldn't do. So, we frame our instructions positively, and we get better results.

3. Teaching Good Behavior

Instead of focusing our efforts on removing the unwanted behavior, we work to cultivate the desired behavior. We constantly teach good behavior and craft activities around it. The more the children interact with the positive message, the more likely they are to adopt it.

4. Creating a code of conduct

At the start of every year, Mountain West Montessori Academy educators work with the students to establish a code of conduct they will seek to implement for the entire school year. They clearly define acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and this sets the tone for their conduct. With a clear understanding and daily reminders, students start to practice the desired behavior.

5. Appreciate the Good Behavior

We make an effort to appreciate the students for good behavior. When a child starts to change and behave well, we congratulate them and make it known to others to show how proud we are of the achievement. In doing so, children are encouraged to repeat the positive behavior to get a similar reaction.

Our Focus Remains on the Child

A child will occasionally misbehave for different reasons, depending on their environment. But, the Montessori education system offers tools for dealing with challenging behavior. It informs the children of the alternatives presented and empowers them to make the right choices.