Jim Fay’s Love and Logic By Matilde Girod

Philosophy of love and logic  Choice and freedom to make mistakes.  Adult demonstrates empathy and compassion.  Child takes responsibility of his/her actions.  Child learns from the consequences of his/her mistake.

Teaching with Love and Logic  Choice  Control  Consequences not Punishment  Empathy  Innovative thinking and wisdom  Misbehavior

Choice  Sharing control with the student provides a balanced relationship.  Adult must be willing to live with the child’s choice.  Student must be allowed to live with the consequences of their choice.

Control  Children and adults seek for a sense of control and security.  low self-concept  insecurity of their rights and responsibilities  Balance of control between adults and children  Provides a right to their choices  Imbalance of control between adults and children  Control and rights to choices are taken.

Consequences not Punishment  Consequences provides CHOICE.  Creates a controllable situation  Punishment is inflicted  The child is the victim  Creates an uncontrollable situation

Empathy  Adults must demonstrate a sincere and empathetic response to child’s misbehavior.  Negative responses or insincere reactions  Teacher “bad guy”  Empathetic responses and genuine concern for students behavior.  Teacher “good guy”

Innovative Thinking and Wisdom  Higher level questions about consequences and problem-solving enhance thinking good choices.  Gain wisdom through learning from their consequences and experiences.  Promotes positive self-concept.  Promotes rights and responsibility of the student.

Misbehaving  Results from the child taking the only choice available to them in order to gain some control.  Can lead to power struggles.  Can be eliminated or maintained through choices.

Misbehavior Cycle Adult shows Anger or frustration Misbehavior Child feels low self-concept

Five Steps to Problem-Solving  Express empathy to the student.  Send the power message.  Students are offered a variety of choices.  Students are allowed to state the consequences and take responsibility.  Students allowed to solve problem or not solve the problem.

Teach with Love and Logic  Provide choices.  Discipline with empathy.  Give responsibility to the student.  Allow students to gain wisdom from mistakes.  Encourage problem-solving and eliminates low self-concept.  Balance of control; rights as a student, teacher and community.

Love and Logic Resources  Conferences  Workshops  Books  Videos 

Thank You