Call to Attention Never in the history of calming down has anyone ever calmed down by being told to calm down.

Creating Classroom Connections an introduction to Conscious Discipline Presented by: Roxie Heist, TATS Andrea Dunckel, FDLRS

Conscious Discipline is an evidence based comprehensive social-emotional learning and classroom management program based on current brain research. Conscious Discipline empowers adults to consciously respond to daily conflict, transforming it into an opportunity to teach critical life skills to children.

We tend to overlook or forget that children must be taught EVERYTHING. Social skills are learned, not assumed. Empathy, joint attention, self regulation, and relationships must be taught consciously.

First Three Years of Life Mental model of self Mental model for relationships Attachment systems Stress management Self regulation Ability to pay attention Motivation to achieve

It’s All About the Relationship Children come to school with 3 questions Am I safe? Am I loved? What can I learn from this? consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846

Topology of Traumatic Wounds Traumatic Wounds of Withholding in Childhood (love, shelter, food, clothing, attachment) Traumatic Wounds of Aggression in Childhood (physical abuse/mandated reporting) Traumatic Wounds Caused by Stressful Events (we don’t help them learn to process these events) Traumatic Wounds Caused by Betrayal (don’t take it personal-find out what happened) Traumatic Wounds Caused by Long Term Duress (this is the water torture of trauma)

Conscious Discipline Brain State Model Executive State (Prefrontal Lobes) What can I learn from this? self-regulation system Emotional State (Limbic System) Am I loved? attachment system executive: regulate self to set achievable goals. comes on at approximately 3 years old, when they start asking “why” emotional: regulate emotions. comes on at approximately 15 months, when they start saying “no” survival: regulates physiology. comes on at birth Survival State (Brain Stem) Am I safe? arousal system consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846

Safety Survival Unconscious Online at birth fight, flight, fool what does it look like? screaming, yelling physical aggression throwing hiding running away consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846

relationships, attachment Connection Emotional relationships, attachment internal CD-ROM motivation, attention online at “no” what does it look like? whining, crying focuses on negative blaming, guilt always/never mindset am I loved? consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846

asks “what can I learn from this?” Problem-solving Executive impulse/self control working memory planning, organizing online with “why?” what does it look like? calm rational asks “what can I learn from this?” consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846

Conscious Discipline Brain State Model Executive State (Prefrontal Lobes) What can I learn from this? self-regulation system Emotional State (Limbic System) Am I loved? attachment system Survival State (Brain Stem) Am I safe? arousal system the brain always functions as a whole consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846

Front Seat Back Seat Responsible Complaining Focused Emotional Limbic Front Seat Responsible Focused Prefrontal Lobe Trunk Kicking, fighting Survival Brain Stem Brake= Impulse control Map= Direction Goal Setting Priorities Steering Wheel= Flexibility consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846

My state dictates your state Our state dictates our perceptions, which then dictate our behaviors. We will perceive conflict differently from each state. consciousdiscipline.com Loving Guidance, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.800.842.2846