In order to help our students learn effectively martial arts, it is important that we create a positive learning environment. A classroom with students that are disruptive (ex: making noise, handsy with peers, laughing or talking while the coach is try teaching) can be frustrating for other students and coaches and prevent them from achieving their goals.

While we understand that many of our kids need additional support, it is not possible for us to prompt students over and over about undesirable behaviors. While we still promote effective strategies to transition and teach, constantly reacting about undesired behaviors breaks the flow of the class and would not actually promote a positive environment.

That’s why we are requiring certain students to follow our discipline plan which has some similarities with the 1-2-3 magic discipline method.

How does it work?

Before class

prior to class, students with a history of acting inappropriately will be asked if they understand and agree to the discipline program we have in place.

During class

When a student is acting inappropriately and disrupting the class, the coach is going to communicate to the student in question that the student gets a first warning by simply saying calmy and in a firm manner: “David, that’s 1.” From there, the coach will show no emotion.

If the student is continuing to act out, the coach will tell him “David, that’s 2”. In this case, the student has to go to a corner a take a break for 2-5 minutes depending on how quickly he can self-regulate. Once back in the class, we will not discuss what happened but this student has lost the privilege to participate in the game at the end of the class.

If the student acts out again, the coach will say “that’s 3, take a sit”. The student will have to sit the rest of the class on the side and have a discussion with the coach and his parents at the end of the class to report what happened in class and what could be done to prevent it to happen again.

In the case where the severity is too high (ex: hitting, swearing, yelling, …), the coach will immediately say “That’s a 3”. The student doesn’t get multiple chances and has to sit and wait to discuss with his parents and coach at the end of the class.

After class

We will praise students that have been able to get back on track before they reach 3. If they did reach 3, a constructive and conversation with students and parents are needed.