Conscious Discipline

What is the practice? 

Conscious Discipline is a trauma-informed, evidence-based social emotional behavioral methodology for all ages. Based on 4 key components (1) Conscious Discipline Brain State Model, (2) Seven Powers for Conscious Adults, (3) Creating the School Family, and (4) Seven Skills of Discipline. Conscious Discipline provides a variety of behavior management strategies and classroom structures to support teachers in creating a learning space based on safety, connection, and problem-solving. Conscious Discipline involves intensive teacher training and self-study; coaching and continuing support for teachers as they deploy conceptual components in the classroom and model behaviors; and exposure of students to various social opportunities, including schoolwide opportunities and practice of skills. The goal of Conscious Discipline is to create a system-wide, relationship based, community model for behavior management known as the “School Family.” 

Who is the practice for? 

Conscious Discipline serves teachers, administrators, mental health professionals and parents. The practice is focused on infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) and school aged children grades PreK-5. 

What outcomes does the practice produce? 

• Improve the quality of student/teacher interactions
• Improve the social and emotional behavior of students
• Improve the social and emotional behavior of teachers
• Improve classroom and school climate
• Improve student academic readiness

What is the evidence? 

Kirsten L. Anderson, Kimberly Turner Nesbitt, Natalie A. Sheeks, Alison Vrabec, Kelly Boris, Mary Wagner Fuhs, Executive function mediates the relationship between Conscious Discipline fidelity and kindergarten readiness, Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Volume 79, 2022, 101393, ISSN 0193-3973, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101393. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0193397322000053) 

This study included 873 preschool-aged students from 146 classrooms that used the Conscious Discipline program. The study found that Conscious Discipline fidelity was significantly associated with students’ effective functioning (EF) skill gains, which in turn predicted outcomes on students’ overall kindergarten readiness scores as well as their scores on evaluations of their language and literacy, math, social foundations, and physical development specifically. Results suggest that EF skill development mediates the relationship between preschool teachers’ Conscious Discipline fidelity and students’ kindergarten readiness scores. 

Chavez, Ashly. (2014). The Effects of the Implementation of the Conscious Discipline Program on Social Emotional Learning in an Early Childhood Classroom. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/maed/91 

This study investigates the efficacy of Conscious Discipline’s teaching strategies to enrich social-emotional learning and establish a positive classroom climate in an early childhood Montessori classroom. The question throughout this research project was “Does teaching Conscious Discipline strategies enhance social-emotional learning in preschool aged children?” The participants were boys and girls ranging in age from 3 to 4 years. For six weeks, Conscious Discipline strategies were being implemented on a day-to-day basis, when dealing with real-life incidents in the classroom, including reading books purchased through Conscious Discipline and establishing a safe place. During this six-week study data was gathered through observations, a pre-survey, and a standardized assessment, and analyzed to document the effects of Conscious Discipline. The data collected demonstrated an increase in social-emotional learning, an increase in the joy in teaching, a positive classroom climate, a decrease in aggressive acts, and an increase in student respect and responsibility in a social community. 

How is the practice implemented? 

Upon reading the book, Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Baily, and completing online courses, the Conscious Discipline Institute, and/or a 2 Day Workshop, educators are equipped with the tools that they need to transform everyday discipline issues into teaching moments. As a result, students will feel safety and connection at school, which will activate students’ brains into an executive, problem-solving state ready for learning. 

Who can implement the practice? 

Conscious Discipline offers professional development for teachers, administrators, mental health professionals and parents. Ideal grade levels are PreK-5th, but they also offer programs for 5th grade plus. 

What are the costs and commitments associated with becoming trained in this practice? 

Please contact the program for the most recent costs and commitments, as these may change. 

There are various ways to implement this practice. There is a 10-session online course, teachers can choose to attend a 2-day workshop, or hold a workshop on their campus. There are also a variety of free resources available on the website. The costs vary depending on the type of professional development needed. Some current options are a webinar facilitation for a group of 25 participants that lasts 1 hour for $250 or e-course facilitation for groups of 100 or less in ten 1-hour sessions costing $4,000. Customized virtual training for groups up to 100 via zoom with a Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor for $495 (1 hour) or $990 (2 hours). To get a quote tailored to your specific needs, please visit the Conscious Discipline website. 

What resources are useful for understanding or implementing the practice? 

• Website: https://consciousdiscipline.com/ 
• Free Resources: https://consciousdiscipline.com/free-resources/free-for-all/  

Rating: Promising  

Secondary components: Building relationships, managing emotions, & decision-making skills