Is a holistic approach a better form of disciplining children?

Helping them become better people

I think a holistic approach to disciplining children is a wonderful idea. Children are never born with a cruel mind. It depends on how they are raised, who they meet and how their elders behave with or around them. Children learn from us, whether it is good things or bad. We can see our reflections in them. When children are hurt, frustrated or irritated for some reason, they feel helpless as most of the elders ignore them just because they are children. They should stay happy always, because as parents all we do is for their happiness. But, if they don’t express themselves, they get violent over time and that is when a parent takes note and gives the necessary attention. As children spend a lot of time in school, they show their cruelties on others. But, instead of trying to find out the cause for this cruelty, we punish them. Things keep getting worse over time and they become more violent. What we must do is calm them down, try to concentrate their minds and divert their attention to something else. For this, yoga always helps, especially with some meditation music. Yoga concentrates our scattered mind in one place and calms our mind and nerves. Yoga can increase our patience, which gives us the power to train our minds. Punishments never solve violent behaviour or cruelties. So, after meditation, not only will the children be free from violent behaviour, but at the same time everybody will watch a massive progress in their studies. Punishment should stop in all schools across the world. Yoga and meditation will help children become better people.

From Ms Archana Sen

Dubai

Constructive tools

This would be a positive move indeed. Any sort of punishment at any stage of life is considered to only fuel anger, depression and frustration. Meditation and yoga could be used as constructive tools to help students manage their emotions in a balanced way. This could also be a motivational factor to turn to these meditating techniques as a way of life, hence enabling them to be more responsible in their words and actions. I really appreciate this idea. The world is in need of these peaceful methods to resolve issues and help people live confidently and guilty free.

From Ms Ruby Fuzail Ahmed

UAE

Being punished

It’s much better than detention, which can leave the child with a feeling of being ‘punished’ and may not be a good thing for their young psyche. On the contrary, yoga and breathing exercises would calm them down giving quality introspective time and this will do them good. Such an exercise takes away the thought of being punished as well. They would find that they have been noticed doing something wrong and would think about it in a rather less mentally and physically exacting way.

From Ms Surya Kumaran

UAE

Use it smartly

This is a very good initiative. Punishing children makes them more stubborn, especially the teenagers. This way they can relax and calm their body and mind. But, this should be used sensibly or else children will want to use it as an excuse to take a break from classes. They might do a little mischief just for fun.

From Ms Yas Karim Ismail

Dubai

Quiet time

I think a holistic approach can be a good form of ‘time out’ for children in schools. It is sort of a break for them from misbehaving! Quiet time is always good, for both children and adults.

From Ms Brenda Schafer

UAE

Repeat offenders

The rather embarrassing and frustrating walk to the detention room and awkward stares could definitely be replaced in a much more effective way with meditation and yoga. Apart from stress relief, the age-old practice has much more benefits to offer. However, the question of disciplining the repeated offenders will still remain at stake.

From Ms Parvathi Sreeraj

Dubai

Better form of discipline

I am not against this holistic approach to discipline children. Deep breathing exercises and learning to calm the mind is always beneficial. It certainly has to be better than harsh discipline or suspension, which in most cases does not work and some children become repeat offenders.

From Ms Maxene Dodds

UAE

Great form

I think this holistic approach, with yoga and meditation, would be a great form of disciplining children in schools.

From Ms Anisa Mookadam

UAE

Concentrate on things

I agree that this is a good idea because yoga teaches you to concentrate on things and breathing exercises help you control yourself and your frustration.

From Mr Muras Oifam

UAE

Helps those with special needs

There are such holistic approaches being used in several public schools in the US and it does help children, especially with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other emotional disorders, as well as those with special needs.

From Ms Mel Hossny

US

Beneficial for everyone

I think everyone, including children and adults, would benefit from meditation.

From Ms Asma Abdul

UAE

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