Assertive discipline is a traditional approach to discipline and can work for a kindergarten class when used on a consistent basis. Many teachers employ this technique through the use of a board or chart that has various behavioral zones. When a student misbehaves, he or she may lose a privilege, and if the misbehavior continues during the day, the punishment becomes more harsh. Initially, for example, a student may lose some reading time, but eventually, the child may be sent to the office or a note sent home to parents.
Positive discipline is a more progressive way of taking care of problems that may persist in the classroom. Students sit down on a twice-weekly basis to discuss the behavior of the students as a group. Specific actions are discussed and logical consequences become the punishment for the actions. If a student forgets his homework, he is asked to do it during recess. This is logical, as the student should be outside having fun, but instead he must now sacrifice free time to perform the work that should have been done the night before.
Studies indicate that boys are punished more frequently when an assertive discipline plan is in place than when a positive discipline plan is utilized. Girls tend to stay away from acting out in fear of being singled out, while boys have no issues with the same types of behaviors. Positive discipline carries no such stigma and the behavioral problems discussed in a group setting were almost equal between the genders.
Many believe that assertive discipline ignores long-term behavioral modification and that students do not learn that they are doing something wrong and often repeat the same behaviors. Since obedience is utilized, the assertive approach is considered an easy way to discipline kindergarten students, but without growth. Assertive discipline studies show that the students do eventually learn how to behave, but through repetition rather than true understanding of what they are doing wrong in the classroom. Proponents of positive discipline feel that their preferred method helps the students learn responsibility for their actions.