#Providenciales, May 31, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Ministry of Education in partnership with UNICEF is giving more
intentional focus to better disciplinary practices in a campaign called,
Positive Discipline is Possible with Young Children.
“The Ministry of Education has embarked on a campaign to ensure that all
of its institutions are operating in accordance to the ‘Child-friendly
Principles’. Child-friendly schools are guided by three main principles namely:
Child-centeredness, Inclusion and Democratic Participation. Similar to schools
in the Eastern Caribbean region, the Turks and Caicos Islands has focused its
attention on implementing positive Behaviour Management, Health and Family Life
Education (HFLE) and healthy Lifestyles, Student Participation, Parental and
Community Involvement, Policies that Protect Children and Student
Centeredness.”
Education Officer with a focus on Child Safeguarding, Heidi Williams
explained that while most schools already have best practices in place, the
campaign is designed to heighten awareness.
“Positive discipline is a method of teaching appropriate behaviour by
interacting with children in a kind but firm manner. The aim of positive
discipline is to prevent behavioural problems before they start by teaching
routines, understanding, and providing support.”
It may be peculiar in our culture of ‘be seen and not heard’ as a
general rule for children, to embrace this method of guiding healthier
behaviour and kinder reactions to misbehavior, but Williams is supported by
UNICEF in the mission to introduce the ‘Child Friendly Policies’.
“In addition, research has shown that treating children with respect
forms the basis for a nurturing, secure, trustworthy and loving relationship
between the parent and the child, and is more effective in the long –term than
punishment,” explained Ms. Williams.
The new policies in child-rearing are not a carte blanche for children
to be rude toward or to rule their parents and teachers; in fact, UNICEF has
proven that the principles work to establish greater harmony and understanding.
“Positive discipline does not mean letting children have their own way,
but rather setting realistic expectations and firm boundaries that are both
developmentally and age appropriate.”
The campaign has included Public Service Announcements on radio,
television and social media and more.
“While many of these areas currently exist within our school systems, we
have set into motion a campaign to bring about greater awareness of positive
discipline, not only in our schools but in the homes. Further to this, a number
of strategies have been put in place, in addition to workshops being held and
distribution of pamphlets to parents.”
The ‘Positive Discipline is Possible’ campaign is funded by UNICEF.
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