Discipline is Teaching

BY LINDA K. JOHNSON, Ph.D. - OCT 3, 2022

While working recently with the Aspire professional team, we discussed topics for upcoming parent sessions in our family literacy program. One of the most popular topics is discipline—what is it exactly and how to implement it.

For many of us, the first thing associated with discipline is punishment. Some formal definitions focus on discipline as the control of others’ actions. However, the oldest origins of the word come from the Latin word “discipulus” which translates to “disciple” or “student.” It is derived from the root word “discere” which means “to learn.” (Centuries later the meaning was expanded in Old French to include concepts of scourge and punishment.)

Marie Montessori’s quote, “Never help a child with a task at which s/he can succeed” beautifully expresses discipline as a way of teaching or guiding another. Parents’ goal is for their children to be able to develop self-discipline and confidence in order for them to achieve success. Discipline as teaching instills the behavioral goals—self-control, patience, persistence, learning from mistakes—that create a foundation for a person to create and achieve goals.

Discipline as “guiding” is the essence of Aspire’s vision for its students. To be able to develop confident, capable individuals – from early childhood to adults pursuing careers – who value learning as a gateway to a better life, our programs must incorporate a supportive environment where students learn to persist through difficult topics in order to gain confidence.