How useful is punishment as a means of education?

In education, punishment is a deliberate situation that leads to unpleasant inner states in the child. These unpleasant inner states are an event that the person concerned usually wants to avoid. In education, punishment is used as a means of upbringing so that the adolescent observes rules and norms.

Punishment must never be used in education to torture children, for retribution or revenge. Punishment as a means of education leads to the suffering of the child. Out of fear of the suffering inflicted by punishment, the child should learn to refrain from such behavior.

Besides, punishment can also take the form of ending or the future absence of a pleasant situation. Punishment is highly controversial in education and can be problematic. Punishment often suppresses undesirable behavior only for a short time and does not eliminate it.

A logical consequence can be a better means of education in the long run.In addition, punishment can lead to the child trying to avoid the punishment through new behavior such as running away, lying or ingratiating. In addition, frequent punishments lead to the child losing motivation and self-esteem. Punishments should therefore be used purposefully and with caution.

Educational means according to Montessori

The Montessori method places the child and its individuality at the center of education. The founder, Maria Montessori, believed in the intrinsic value of the adolescent and advocated free learning for children, without judgement or handicap. The Montessori method rejects educational means, i.e. both rewards and punishments find no place in this theory. It is a pedagogical educational concept that has different phases of adolescence, which are only observed by the teacher. The goal is that the child observes teachers and wants to learn, following the motto “Help me to do it myself”.

What educational tools are used in the kindergarten?

In the kindergarten, the extra-parental education begins through pedagogical forces – the educators. Educators have the appropriate training to support the kindergarten children accordingly. Educators work with positive educational tools, they praise and confirm kindergarten children in their correct behavior.

Educational challenges are refusal to eat, lack of hand washing after going to the toilet or brushing teeth. In such situations, memories, admonitions, rebuke and appeals are used. If children do not follow instructions after repeated requests, punishments are also used. The spectrum of educational tools in kindergarten is comprehensive and is used in different ways depending on the individual. However, there are also other means of education that are used in kindergarten.