You’ll Never Guess What Word a School Just Banned

[The word ‘please’ is now banned.] That’s what Druid Hills Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina, has instituted. It’s getting a lot of attention because teachers at the school no longer say please. But there’s a lot more to No-Nonsense Nurturing than dropping the magic word.

Teachers, who are trained in the method, provide kids with concise, clear instructions in an M.V.P. (movement, voice and participation) format that gives students zero room for misbehavior. As children follow the teacher’s commands, they are distinguished in front of their peers. For example:

“Madison is sitting with her legs crossed on the carpet. Alex has joined us on the carpet and is sitting quietly. Jessica has put her book away and is walking to the carpet without speaking,” the teacher narrates.

This positive-reinforcement provides something missing in many classrooms, the chance for students who are following the rules to be recognized. All too often well-behaved students are ignored while teachers focus on reprimanding children who are not. The cycle of negative attention, thus, is broken. Teachers do not negotiate, and they don’t ask “please,” either.

The lack of using the word “please” while instructing children has struck a chord of discontent with some. Yet proponents of the method believe removing “please” lets children know that following instructions is not an option, and that students are not doing the teacher any favors by doing as they are told. (Read more from “You’ll Never Guess What Word a School Just Banned” HERE)

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