Social Confidence
Mulberry's 21st Century Curriculum develops character and fosters social confidence by:
- providing students with daily opportunity for problem solving and conflict resolution
- emphasizing the importance of personal integrity and ethical decision making
- encouraging individual self-awareness
- fostering intrinsic motivation and self-discipline
- providing opportunities for leadership
- creating an environment of mutual respect
Mulberry's curriculum has won national recognition as a Positive Discipline demonstration school and a California School of Character.
Positive Discipline
Positive Discipline is a program designed to teach young people to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of their communities. Based on best selling Positive Discipline books by Dr. Jane Nelsen, it teaches important social and life skills in a manner that is deeply respectful and encouraging for children, teachers and parents .
"Mulberry is a safe place to make mistakes." - 1st grader
Recent research tells us that children are “hardwired” from birth to connect with others, and those children who feel a sense of connection to their community, family, and school are less likely to misbehave. To be successful members of their community, children must learn social and life skills. Jane Nelsen gives the following 5 criteria for “effective discipline that teaches”:
- Helps children feel a sense of connection, of belonging and significance.
- Is mutually respectful and encouraging; kind and firm at the same time.
- Considers what the child is thinking, feeling and deciding about himself and his world, and what he must do to survive and thrive.
- Teaches important life skills - concern for others, problem solving, cooperation and ways to contribute to the home, school or community.
- Invites children to discover how capable they are, encouraging the constructive use of personal power and autonomy.
Positive Discipline models for teachers, parents and other adults develop mutually respectful relationships, teaching adults to employ kindness and firmness at the same time. Adults are encouraged to identify the beliefs behind behavior and understand why kids do what they do. Adults learn to help change the beliefs, rather than merely attempting to change the behavior. The focus is on effective communications, solutions instead of punishment and encouragement instead of praise - encouragement notices effort not just success, and builds self-esteem.
Nationally recogized as Positive Discipline Demonstration School
Mulberry School is only 1 of 2 schools recognized for incorporating the theory and practice of Positive Discipline into the daily experience of students. Class meetings make time for students to discuss, practice and resolve social issues and support character development with opportunities to:
- Develop agreements and consequences as a group, thus eliminating many discipline problems
- Understand first-hand the value of integrity and responsibility-taking
- Practice active listening and speaking skills, negotiation and compromise, giving compliments and offering constructive feedback
- Share ideas and verbalize feelings
"Here at Mulberry I feel safe to say how I feel because I know that no one will make fun of me. Class meetings help because people who are not involved in the conflict could give me and others help to solve the problem. You can disagree and they won't feel bad. Everyone listens to you at class meetings and everyone has an equal amount of respect. " - 5th grader
Only 1 of 2 schools recognized as California Schools of Character
In recognition of Mulberry's proven success in this arena, Mulberry has also been recognized as a California School of Character.
Our students graduate with a real advantage, knowing who they are and how to confidently get along with others.
For more on Positive Discipline and Character development in our classrooms, check the preschool and elementary pages, and be sure to visit Mulberry!
