Conscious Discipline Building Resilient Classrooms Expanded & Updated Edition

by Becky A. Bailey

Conscious Discipline is a leader in brain-based social-emotional learning that builds resilience in children, families, educators and schools. Within these pages you will find skills and strategies that are both scientifically backed and practically applied in daily classroom life. Empower yourself to shift from "Do as I Say" to "Be the change!"

Genres: Parenting, Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, School, Psychology, Grad School

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D., specializes in early childhood education and developmental psychology. Her lectures reach more than 20,000 people annually, and her awards include a Parents' Choice Foundation commendation for three of her parenting audiotapes. She has appeared on CNN, PBS, and The Hour of Power with Dr. Robert Schuller, among other programs. She lives in Oviedo, Florida.

Reviews

[Meghan Sochocki · Rating 3 out of 5]

SO MANY ACRONYMS

[Kaitlin Jundt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ideas in this book are great and would be wonderful if it worked with all kids, but this is not a "one size fits all" type of classroom management. Most of the ideas and concepts would work great in a preschool setting. I take what works and pitch what doesn't from this just like any other educational philosophy.

[Rachael Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another tool to add to the shelves. Just like any other classroom management tool, I don't think it is the "be-all, end-all." But, it does give some great ideas and explains the why behind them.

[Ilene Novy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too long and lofty. Good ideas that could have been condensed - over explained.

[Eliza Heaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enthralled. Outdated at times but IDGAF about that gentle parenting stuff. LOVED IT

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read all of this book but I have been through the training that goes along with this book. I have very much enjoyed the training that is pulled from this book and I can not wait for this to continue. The purpose behind this book is how to work with children and help them learn emotions and that their feelings matter. This book helps teach tips on how to handle and deal with different types of situations. I highly recommend every teacher reads and learns about Conscious Discipline.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely NOT finished, nor will I ever be, because this is just more of the same dreck they've been feeding educations for years in lieu of actually improving conditions for educators. "Practice self care and it doesn't matter how abusive your supervisors are!"

Administrators force their staff to read this crap on our own time, while simultaneously overloading us with other pointless tasks that can't be completed in a work day. No. No more of this.

[Amber Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book for work, as this will be the new curriculum we are getting ready to do. this book was so insightful, and made me really think about the way I've been teaching as a new teacher and as a mom and what I could be doing better or improving on.

[Tandava Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that should be required reading for all teachers, parents, or anyone who deals with kids at all.

[Casey Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

My go-to book for classroom and meaningful relationship skills

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best approach to classroom management out there.

[Amber]

1 copy available

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing look at what our classrooms can, and should, look like! Dr. Bailey provides research about the brain upfront, focusing on a timeline for social and emotional learning as well as information about how the brain reacts and learns. Then, she dives deep into the seven skills adults must harness in order to effectively teach children the social and emotional skills that will make them successful in school and in life. Dr. Bailey does not focus on punishment as a means to maintain control, but rather on empowering children to be in control of themselves. The biggest and most important piece is one that I also needed to hear: it takes practice. The brain learns largely by example, so we must model composure, assertiveness, and problem solving for our students without losing our own emotional control when we feel challenged.

I recommend this book for all educators, as well as to parents and anyone else who works with and around people. Now that I've read the entire book, I look forward to going back through the seven skills so that I can provide in depth support to the teachers I get to work with.

[Josiah Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teachers: READ THIS BOOK!

When I was a classroom teacher, I had a number of management tools that I used to keep my students productive and learning. Management was my strength, and my students performed highly. Yet, every year I felt like I didn’t connect to my students and I was unable to teach them to be more socially and emotionally aware. I wish I had had this book to reshape my thinking about my students and my classroom environment.

This book leans heavily into the current SEL movement and directly points an accountable finger at the teacher’s personal development and its direct correlation with students’ personal development. No longer can teachers discipline without consequences to their students. Instead, it is the responsibility of teacher to do their own personal work, to understand their personal triggers and the things that affect them emotionally, so that they do not transfer that to their students in times of stress or misbehavior.

This book would have been a godsend in my teaching years, so I can’t recommend it more highly!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all teachers (and probably parents though they aren’t the intended audience). If you engage with this book and it’s exercise deeply and with an open heart you will learn invaluable information about yourself. I really believe that if educators live by Bailey’s principles, they will see a huge difference in their classrooms. I’m so inspired to take this work back to my pre-k classroom! My only bone to pick, occasionally Bailey uses her “struggle with her weight” in examples. Especially when illustrating her own negative self talk. As a body positive person some of these examples feel a little off, and made me feel sad for how firmly diet culture seems to have a hold on her. These examples are few and far between and probably wouldn’t bother most readers, but feel worth mentioning.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read many books cover-to-cover lately, but I've been plodding through Conscious Discipline for a while. I've learned so much about how to first connect with my toddlers before correcting them, and about how to think through the "why" of unwanted behaviors. For example, a toddler hitting isn't necessarily doing it to be mean. They don't know how else to play or get someone's attention, or they need help fulfilling a sensory need or calming themselves down.

But the most valuable part is that it's the only parenting/discipline book I've read that first aims to teach the adult. Yeah, I know how to respond to an act of misbehavior, but if I can't keep my cool, I'm not going to be able to teach adequately.

I look forward to revisiting this book in the future to continue in my Conscious Discipline journey.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Conscious Discipline (CD) during my year working at Head Start. It changed my whole perspective about discipline, misbehavior, and how trauma plays a part in all of it. I wish I had known about CD when my own children were toddlers, as I feel like our relationships would be far healthier.

CD promotes a more positive intent in helping children learn how to change their behavior, based on being able to utilize the Executive function of their brain; rather than their survival or emotional states. This is done by helping them answer these three Qs, in order: Am I safe? Am I loved? Can I learn? By helping answer these 3 questions, children are in a state of willingness and ability to learn and make better choices.

[Carrie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. We read this book for a PLC at school, and it’s a lot to take in. Lots of very good, very helpful, and very beneficial information for supporting students socially and emotionally. But it’s also overwhelming. The ideas included are such a huge shift from how we were taught to run our classrooms and how we’ve been doing things. A good shift, but a shift nonetheless. Also, this seemed to be more targeted at preschool and elementary students; still good info for teachers of older students, but definitely geared younger.

[Riki Kellogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way this book explains how state of mind is important in children especially when it comes to being rational. If one is angry or upset they aren’t thinking rationally and being able to have steps you can refer to change the state of mind to a more rational place is crucial. I do think the acronyms are not necessarily the best choices and can seem very negative for such a positive book. Additionally way to many acronyms! You really need to take notes to keep track of them all.

[Marlene Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new approach to discipline in the classroom. An easy read and one that helps us teach children to take responsibility for their own choices. A guide for teachers to self regulate emotions and behaviors as well as model to the students you teach. As I am in classrooms and observe outdated methods that are frustrating teachers, What do we have to lose by trying a new method?

[Catlyn Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This concept has huge potential! But must be embraced by the entire school family, and start with the adults. (cough, cough) I especially have been successful with the power of intention, the power of "oops". I'm looking forward to more adaptations to older ages.

[Beth Swahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot to offer and a lot I agreed with. However, I did feel like it did more blaming than I wanted and didn’t have as many practical strategies as I expected. I think paired with The Regulated Classroom it is a lot of potential!

[Sonnets in Samtopia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read through this, referenced it, and have learned a new technique/way of thinking everytime. Self regulation skills are key to any social situation. Attention seeking is connection seeking. I wish you well.

[Courtney Karr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Textbook on Conscious Discipline for classrooms taught me how to be an intentionally empathetic human. Lesson: You cannot teach skills that you do not have, but you can learn and practice the skills.

[Judy Rohlfing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use it as a supplementary text in college classes I teach.

[I Contain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent text which puts the reasons for misbehavior into perspective and offers a system for supporting children through their toughest days.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone in early childhood education!

[Stephanie Koclanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this for work; thought it was great! The skills are not only useful and important for the classroom environment but for everyday interactions as well.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I ever read as a teacher, I return to it again and again.

[Abigail H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Learned a lot! But I think there are some better resources on conscious discipline out there, personally. But this is a great starting place for anyone who wants a springboard!