Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Maddi Polzin on July 29, 2011 at 22:21

I wouldn't have said so.
It involves the child potentially missing out on learning and can actually cause social and/or behavioral problems and in my experience it's just not nice.
Children don't actually think about what they've done a lot of the time. Instead, they think about how unfair the teacher was being, and how David and Susie were doing it too, and eventually they get on to the funny book they're reading and soon their mind isn't even on school anymore.

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Permalink Reply by Vanessa Taylor on August 9, 2011 at 12:29

Thanks for your reply Maddi

I know this practise was banned in Kindergartens more than 12 years ago.  I am agreeing with you.  I am finding more negatives than positives about this method.

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Permalink Reply by Simona Coppin on January 1, 2012 at 15:47

Hi Vanessa,

The only time I think that giving a child a "timeout" is only if they are really disrupting the class. Then they should be given something more interesting/constructive to do. Also depends on their age/behavioural abilities. This is not necessary the right remedy to resort to if there is an ongoing problem. If the child is just bored then it can be turned into a positive time to give them something enjoyable to do for say 5-10mins alone this can help them to refocus their energies and then come back into the classroom. It also needs to be age appropriate. Teachers are hard pressed to teach children in the allocated time that they are given these days, this should not be used a form of punishment or consequence, just more of a redirection or a time for quiet contemplation.

Kind regards,

Simona

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Permalink Reply by Vanessa Taylor on January 8, 2012 at 17:15

Hi Simona

Thanks for your reply.  I totally agree with you.  It should be used as a last resort and redirection is a positive way to redirect the child.  Also sometimes that is what the child is lacking - direction.   In the class this was occurring, it wasn't unusual for a child to receive time out four to five times a day!  When I approached the co-ordinator about the 'timeout' issue, I was told that the diciplinary consequences are set by the Catholic Education Board and this is standard practice throughout Catholic Schools.  My other child attended a different Catholic School as we were living in a different area then.  I never experienced this practice there!

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Permalink Reply by Caz on May 1, 2012 at 12:59

Sorry but I think it can be useful.  My youngest son was separated, by way of moving his chair away from the others some times for a week or more - this was regular for children who were disruptive, copying etc.  He then elected to sit at the back of the class so he didn't get distracted by others and worked wonderfully, he was still included in all activities...just by being separated doesn't exclude them if it is done properly.  I applaud my teacher for having the guts to do it...

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