🐸Teaching Big Feelings: How We Use Conscious Discipline in the Classroom🐸
At our preschool, we believe that learning goes far beyond the ABCs and 123s. Helping children understand and manage their emotions is just as important as teaching them letters and numbers. That’s why we use Conscious Discipline, a research-backed approach that helps children build emotional intelligence, develop empathy, and learn self-regulation in a safe and nurturing environment.
What Is Conscious Discipline?
Conscious Discipline is a social-emotional learning and classroom management system that transforms the way adults and children interact. Instead of using fear or punishment to correct behavior, Conscious Discipline emphasizes safety, connection, and problem-solving. Our goal is to help children feel secure and connected, so they can learn to manage big emotions and make positive choices.
The “Safe Place” in Every Classroom
One important way we support emotional growth is by providing a Safe Place in each of our classrooms. This is a cozy, quiet corner where children can go when they are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, sad, or need a moment to calm their bodies and minds. It’s not a time-out spot, it’s a space for self-regulation and emotional support.
In the Safe Place, children have access to:
- Breathing tools (like "S.T.A.R." breathing—Smile, Take a deep breath, And Relax)
- Sensory materials (such as fidget toys, textured items, and calming visuals)
- Family photo books that help them feel connected and secure
- Soft seating and calming colors to create a peaceful environment
Our teachers gently guide children to the Safe Place when needed and model how to use calming strategies. Over time, children begin to recognize their own emotional cues and choose to use the Safe Place on their own. It’s amazing to see our students take charge of their feelings in such a mature and thoughtful way!
Why It Matters
By integrating Conscious Discipline into our daily routines, we’re giving children lifelong tools to handle conflict, build relationships, and respond to challenges with confidence. These are skills that benefit them far beyond the preschool years.
We’re proud to be shaping not just little learners, but kind, resilient, and emotionally intelligent individuals.
