Discipline starts in the home. If children do not learn their values in the home, there is little likelihood that a teacher can spend enough time teaching them in the school setting.

Interestingly enough, a dear friend of mine has been working as a substitue in one of our local school districts. Her observation is that there is a trend toward even less discipline in the early elementary years--a trend where even the words, "no" and "don't" are not allowed. Instead, the teachers are encouraged (by threat of losing their contracts) to only use positive reinforcements such as, "I like it when my friends stick together," or, "It makes me happy when friends keep each other safe," or even, "Friends like to share with their friends." It is not until the fourth grade when these students start to hear school discipline in the form of negativism.