Responsive Classroom
(Student-Centered Approach)
Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness. It's been around for 40+ years (started as an education research lab school), and is the epitome of student-centered teaching.
There are 4 main approaches to teaching and parenting (they are the same approach for both):
1. Authoritarian
Do any of these statements sound like you?
If any of those ring true, you might be an authoritarian teacher/parent. Authoritarians believe kids should follow the rules without exception. Authoritarians are famous for saying, "Because I said so," when a child questions the reasons behind a rule. They are not interested in negotiating and their focus is on obedience. They also don't allow kids to get involved in problem-solving challenges or obstacles. Instead, they make the rules and enforce the consequences with little regard for a child's opinion.
Authoritarians may use punishments instead of discipline. So rather than teach a child how to make better choices, they're invested in making kids feel sorry for their mistakes. Children who grow up with strict authoritarian parents tend to follow rules much of the time. But, their obedience comes at a price. Children of authoritarians are at a higher risk of development self-esteem problems because their opinions aren't valued.
They may also become hostile or aggressive. Rather than think about how to do things better in the future, they often focus on the anger they feel toward their parents. Since authoritarians are often strict, their children may grow to become good liars in an effort to avoid punishment.
2. Authoritative (Responsive Classroom)
Do any of these statements sound like you?
If those statements sound familiar, you may be an authoritative parent. Authoritatives have rules and they use consequences, but they also take their children's opinions into account. They validate their children's feelings, while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge.
Authoritatives invest time and energy into preventing behavior problems before they start. They also use positive discipline strategies to reinforce good behavior, like praise and reward systems.
Children raised with authoritative discipline tend to be happy and successful. They're also more likely to be good at making decisions and evaluating safety risks on their own. Researchers have found kids who have authoritative parents are most likely to become responsible adults who feel comfortable expressing their opinions.
3. Permissive
Do any of these statements sound like you?
If those statements sound familiar, you might be a permissive. Permissives are lenient. They often only step in when there's a serious problem. They're quite forgiving and they adopt an attitude of "kids will be kids." When they do use consequences, they may not make those consequences stick. They might give privileges back if a child begs or they may allow a child to get out of time-out early if he promises to be good.
Permissives usually take on more of a friend role than a parent role. They often encourage their children to talk with them about their problems, but they usually don't put much effort into discouraging poor choices or bad behavior. Kids who grow up with permissives are more likely to struggle academically. They may exhibit more behavioral problems as they don't appreciate authority and rules. They often have low self-esteem and may report a lot of sadness.
They're also at a higher risk for health problems, like obesity, because permissives struggle to limit junk food intake. They are even more likely to have dental cavities because permissive parents often don't enforce good habits, like ensuring a child brushes his teeth.
4. Uninvolved/Neglectful
Do any of these statements sound familiar?
If those statements sound familiar, you might be uninvolved. Uninvolved folks tend to have little knowledge of what their children are doing. There tends to be few rules. Children may not receive much guidance, nurturing, and parental attention. Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don't devote much time or energy into meeting children's basic needs.
Uninvolved folks may be neglectful but it's not always intentional. A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child's physical or emotional needs on a consistent basis. At other times, uninvolved parents lack knowledge about child development. And sometimes, they're simply overwhelmed with other problems, like work, paying bills, and managing a household.
Children with uninvolved adults are likely to struggle with self-esteem issues. They tend to perform poorly in school. They also exhibit frequent behavior problems and rank low in happiness.
There are 4 main approaches to teaching and parenting (they are the same approach for both):
1. Authoritarian
Do any of these statements sound like you?
- You believe kids should be seen and not heard.
- When it comes to rules, you believe it's "my way or the highway."
- You don't take your child's feelings into consideration.
If any of those ring true, you might be an authoritarian teacher/parent. Authoritarians believe kids should follow the rules without exception. Authoritarians are famous for saying, "Because I said so," when a child questions the reasons behind a rule. They are not interested in negotiating and their focus is on obedience. They also don't allow kids to get involved in problem-solving challenges or obstacles. Instead, they make the rules and enforce the consequences with little regard for a child's opinion.
Authoritarians may use punishments instead of discipline. So rather than teach a child how to make better choices, they're invested in making kids feel sorry for their mistakes. Children who grow up with strict authoritarian parents tend to follow rules much of the time. But, their obedience comes at a price. Children of authoritarians are at a higher risk of development self-esteem problems because their opinions aren't valued.
They may also become hostile or aggressive. Rather than think about how to do things better in the future, they often focus on the anger they feel toward their parents. Since authoritarians are often strict, their children may grow to become good liars in an effort to avoid punishment.
2. Authoritative (Responsive Classroom)
Do any of these statements sound like you?
- You put a lot of effort into creating and maintaining a positive relationship with your child.
- You explain the reasons behind your rules.
- You enforce rules and give consequences, but take your child's feelings into consideration.
If those statements sound familiar, you may be an authoritative parent. Authoritatives have rules and they use consequences, but they also take their children's opinions into account. They validate their children's feelings, while also making it clear that the adults are ultimately in charge.
Authoritatives invest time and energy into preventing behavior problems before they start. They also use positive discipline strategies to reinforce good behavior, like praise and reward systems.
Children raised with authoritative discipline tend to be happy and successful. They're also more likely to be good at making decisions and evaluating safety risks on their own. Researchers have found kids who have authoritative parents are most likely to become responsible adults who feel comfortable expressing their opinions.
3. Permissive
Do any of these statements sound like you?
- You set rules but rarely enforce them.
- You don't give out consequences very often.
- You think your child will learn best with little interference from you.
If those statements sound familiar, you might be a permissive. Permissives are lenient. They often only step in when there's a serious problem. They're quite forgiving and they adopt an attitude of "kids will be kids." When they do use consequences, they may not make those consequences stick. They might give privileges back if a child begs or they may allow a child to get out of time-out early if he promises to be good.
Permissives usually take on more of a friend role than a parent role. They often encourage their children to talk with them about their problems, but they usually don't put much effort into discouraging poor choices or bad behavior. Kids who grow up with permissives are more likely to struggle academically. They may exhibit more behavioral problems as they don't appreciate authority and rules. They often have low self-esteem and may report a lot of sadness.
They're also at a higher risk for health problems, like obesity, because permissives struggle to limit junk food intake. They are even more likely to have dental cavities because permissive parents often don't enforce good habits, like ensuring a child brushes his teeth.
4. Uninvolved/Neglectful
Do any of these statements sound familiar?
- You don't ask your child about school or homework.
- You rarely know where your child is or who she is with.
- You don't spend much time with your child.
If those statements sound familiar, you might be uninvolved. Uninvolved folks tend to have little knowledge of what their children are doing. There tends to be few rules. Children may not receive much guidance, nurturing, and parental attention. Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don't devote much time or energy into meeting children's basic needs.
Uninvolved folks may be neglectful but it's not always intentional. A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child's physical or emotional needs on a consistent basis. At other times, uninvolved parents lack knowledge about child development. And sometimes, they're simply overwhelmed with other problems, like work, paying bills, and managing a household.
Children with uninvolved adults are likely to struggle with self-esteem issues. They tend to perform poorly in school. They also exhibit frequent behavior problems and rank low in happiness.
So Responsive Classroom uses the authoritative approach that 98% of science has concluded gets the best results, and applies it to teaching instead of parenting.
I don't like teaching books. They bore me to tears. That said, I read this book twice and took notes. Yes, that's right. It's that good! It was written by art, music, PE and other special area teachers, with Rachel Atzert being the PE-based expert (She's @responsivePE on Twitter). Check it out! Info:
"Discover how to seamlessly blend the powerful practices of Responsive Classroom into your daily teaching. In this easy-to-navigate book for grades K-6, you’ll find practical advice, tips, charts, planners, examples, and more from experienced special area teachers who use Responsive Classroom practices every day. They’ll show you how to:
I don't like teaching books. They bore me to tears. That said, I read this book twice and took notes. Yes, that's right. It's that good! It was written by art, music, PE and other special area teachers, with Rachel Atzert being the PE-based expert (She's @responsivePE on Twitter). Check it out! Info:
"Discover how to seamlessly blend the powerful practices of Responsive Classroom into your daily teaching. In this easy-to-navigate book for grades K-6, you’ll find practical advice, tips, charts, planners, examples, and more from experienced special area teachers who use Responsive Classroom practices every day. They’ll show you how to:
- Open and close each period in calm, orderly ways
- Set students up for success with skills, rules, and routines
- Use positive teacher language to help students meet expectations and develop confidence
- Engage students more deeply in your special area content
- Reduce off-task behavior so students spend more time learning