1. Use Reason
- Believe that they are basically good.
- Appeal to their reason.
- Make reasonable rules and sanctions, explain them to the youth. Say why it is good for them to follow these rules.
- Use: ‘Word in the ear’ – meet individual youth briefly informally and suggest to them very calmly the behaviour you expect from them.
- Deal with individual misbehaviour individually; and not punish the whole group.
- If you believe that people can reason out just as you do, then there is no need to offer corporal punishment.
2. Use Religion
- Realise that human beings are also spiritual.
- Appeal to their faith and conscience.
- Accompany them towards a higher sense of purpose in their life, and motivate them to dream big.
- Help them bring their faith to life – this is spirituality.
3. Use Loving Kindness
- Realise that we all want to love and be loved.
- Appeal to the heart of young people.
- Begin on a note of deep compassion towards people under your care.
- Be creative in expressing your loving kindness – let them realise that you care for them!
- (Love is an emotional bonding with people you know; love facilitates the growth of those in the bonding. Kindness is a compassionate attitude towards people who are not personally known to you; this compassion brings out the best of humanity in the two parties.)
- One way of expressing your compassion to young people is by being present among them: casual, mature, growth-promoting, life-flourishing. In places and moments where you expect greater discipline, be there before the young people arrive.
But what is discipline?
It is a rhythm of life that helps us, as individuals and groups, to achieve our goals.