Being Right or Builing Relationships? – positive discipline in the school classroom

Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The goal is to point out the importance of establishing relationships between teachers and students in view of selected research, to outline the tenets of J. Nelsen’s Positive Discipline and to signal the ways of establishing relationships in the school classroom according to this method. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The main problem was formulated as follows: What is the importance of building relationships between students and teachers, and what are the possibilities of applying Positive Discipline in the school classroom? The research is based on the analytical-synthetic method, which was used to analyze the literature on psychology and pedagogy. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The article refers to research conducted in Poland and other countries that shows the importance of relationships in the educational process, and also indicates the theoretical premises of Positive Discipline as an educational method. I also discuss the implications of this method for school practice. RESEARCH RESULTS: Research done in many countries shows that good relationships at school translate into educational success for students. Children and adolescents are more willing to learn when they have a sense of belonging and importance, and when they feel that the teacher likes them. Therefore, Positive Discipline, which is based on the premise that teachers should develop children’s social competencies in addition to their academic knowledge and skills is worth implementing in schools to build a good atmosphere between students and teachers. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS: Positive discipline is a method that is worth implementing in educational institutions when working with students of all ages. Recognizing the importance of interpersonal relations in the educational process, we should organize the space at school in such a way that it becomes a place where everyone satisfies the need for belonging and meaning, and where everyone has the right to make mistakes.