Discipline provides a set of guidelines for behavior of children and adults.
“Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Discipline is necessary:
1. To prevent bodily harm
2.  To protect the child's health
3.  To increase the child's social awareness and encourage the child to develop
4. To provide the child with emotional security

Discipline and punishment are not the same. Discipline should show the children how to behave in a social environment.  It should be a process by which children are learning to control their own actions.  The ultimate goal is to build up the child's self control.  Discipline redirects behavior in a positive way.
The method we use at Rainbow Christian Preschool is TIME OUT.  When a child is displaying unacceptable behavior ex. hitting, kicking, biting, the teacher explains to the child that it's not okay to behave in this manner.  The teacher will explain that the child needs to change his/ her behavior because that's not what God wants us to do.  The child will be allowed to participate in class activities again depending on how serious the action was.  If the child hurts another child causing a wound, which drew blood, the child would have the explanation from the teacher and get a time out.  If the action were not severe, then the child would get a warning.  If the child continues to display the unacceptable behavior, then he will be given a time out.

Time Out Spot:
The child getting a time out would be removed from the undesirable situation and placed in a prearranged spot.  This can be a chair in an area where the teacher can watch the child.  No lectures will be given, but the child will always be told why the time out was given so they understand the punishment.  The teacher will also pray with the child.

Time Out Should Never Exceed:

           2 minutes for the 2 year olds            3 minutes for the 3 year olds
           4 minutes for the 4 year olds            5 minutes for the 5 year olds

If a child bites another child or an adult, the parent will be asked to bring a rubber teething ring for the child to chew on.  Should any unacceptable behavior (hitting, biting, kicking, etc.) persist, as many of the following steps will be taken as should be necessary.

1.  The child will be sent to the Director's office.
2.  The parents will be notified, and a written notice will be placed in the child's file.
3.   The Director will visit the classroom to observe the child's behavior.
4.  A meeting will be arranged with the child's parents, teachers, and the director to consider corrective actions.
5. The child will be suspended from the preschool for an appropriate period of time.
6.  Should all efforts fail; the child will be dismissed from the preschool with proper written notification.

The children will hear bible stories about the importance of following directions.  The teachers will tell them that God's word teaches us that we must "Love one another" (John 15:34), and explain that when we love people, we don't hurt them.

When children are totally out of control, the Director will have a conference with the parents to suggest seeing a behavioral specialist.  The Director will pray with the parents and assure them that they can count on her prayers