SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

INTRODUCTION
As future educators it is important to know and understand the rights and other encompassing laws
that protect the children. This module will focus on the rights of children and the child protection
policy of the Department of Education

Specific Objectives:
At the end of the module the students are expected to:
1. Define child based on the definition given by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
2. Enumerate and discuss the rights of children and young persons
3. Identify the current issues about young children today
4. Discuss the child protection policy
5. Understand the importance of child protection policy

THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (UNCRC)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) defines the child as a person
under 18 years of age. It acknowledges the primary role of parents and the family in the care and
protection of children, as well as the obligation of the State to help them carry out these duties.
Figure 1. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Image taken from http://equityforchildren.org/2014/10/the-convention-on-the-rights-of-the-child/

The UN Convention consists of 54 articles, each of which details a different type of right. These
rights are not ranked in order of importance; instead they interact with one another to form one
integrated set of rights. A common approach is to group these articles together under the
following themes:

1. Survival rights: include the child’s right to life and the needs that are most basic to
existence, such as nutrition, shelter, an adequate living standard, and access to medical
services.
2. Development rights: include the right to education, play, leisure, cultural activities,
access to information, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
3. Protection rights: ensure children are safeguarded against all forms of abuse, neglect
and exploitation, including special care for refugee children; safeguards for children in
the criminal justice system; protection for children in employment; protection and
rehabilitation for children who have suffered exploitation or abuse of any kind.
4. Participation rights: encompass children's freedom to express opinions, to have a say in
matters affecting their own lives, to join associations and to assemble peacefully. As their
capacities develop, children should have increasing opportunity to participate in the
activities of society, in preparation for adulthood.

The UN Convention includes four articles that are given special emphasis. These are also known
as ‘general principles’. These rights are the bedrock for securing the additional rights in the UN
Convention.

 that all the rights guaranteed by the UNCRC must be available to all children without
discrimination of any kind (Article 2);
 that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions
concerning children (Article 3);
 that every child has the right to life, survival and development (Article 6); and
 that the child’s view must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting
him or her (Article 12).

THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS

Presidential Decree No. 603 dated December 10, 1974 provides the list of Rights of
Children and Young Persons. It aims at understanding children better and for the Filipino teacher
to be more aware of the children’s rights. The code contains provisions to understand and to help
children better, and it is important for every Filipino teacher to be cognizant of such rights. (Anon.,
n.d.)
Article 3: Right of the Child. All children shall be entitled to the rights herein set forth without
distinction as to legitimacy or illegitimacy, sex, social status, religion, political antecedents, and
other factors.
(1) Every child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a human being from the moment of
his conception, as generally accepted in medical parlance, and has, therefore, the right to be born
well.
(2) Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide him with love, care
and understanding, guidance and counselling, and moral and material security. The dependent or
abandoned child shall be provided with the nearest substitute for a home.
(3) Every child has the right to a well-rounded development of his personality to the end that
he may become a happy, useful and active member of society.
The gifted child shall be given opportunity and encouragement to develop his special talents. The
emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted child shall be treated with sympathy and
understanding, and shall be entitled to treatment and competent care. The physically or mentally
handicapped child shall be given the treatment, education and care required by his particular
condition.
(4) Every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper
medical attention, and all the basic physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life.
(5) Every child has the right to be brought up in an atmosphere of morality and rectitude for
the enrichment and the strengthening of his character.
(6) Every child has the right to an education commensurate with his abilities and to the
development of his skills for the improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his
fellowmen.
(7) Every child has the right to full opportunities for safe and wholesome recreation and
activities, individual as well as social, for the wholesome use of his leisure hours.
(8) Every child has the right to protection against exploitation, improper influences, hazards,
and other conditions or circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social and
moral development.
9) Every child has the right to live in a community and a society that can offer him an environment
free from pernicious influences and conducive to the promotion of his health and the cultivation
of his desirable traits and attributes.
(10) Every child has the right to the care, assistance, and protection of the State, particularly
when his parents or guardians fail or are unable to provide him with his fundamental needs for
growth, development, and improvement.
(11) Every child has the right to an efficient and honest government that will deepen his faith
in democracy and inspire him with the morality of the constituted authorities both in their public
and private lives.
(12) Every child has the right to grow up as a free individual, in an atmosphere of peace,
understanding, tolerance, and universal brotherhood, and with the determination to contribute his
share in the building of a better world.

Article 4: Responsibilities of the Child. - Every child, regardless of the circumstances of his birth,
sex, religion, social status, political antecedents and other factors shall:
(1) Strive to lead an upright and virtuous life in accordance with the tenets of his religion, the
teachings of his elders and mentors, and the biddings of a clean conscience;
(2) Love, respect and obey his parents, and cooperate with them in the strengthening of the
family;
(3) Extend to his brothers and sisters his love, thoughtfulness, and helpfulness, and endeavor
with them to keep the family harmonious and united;
(4) Exert his utmost to develop his potentialities for service, particularly by undergoing a
formal education suited to his abilities, in order that he may become an asset to himself and to
society;
(5) Respect not only his elders but also the customs and traditions of our people, the memory
of our heroes, the duly constituted authorities, the laws of our country, and the principles and
institutions of democracy;
(6) Participate actively in civic affairs and in the promotion of the general welfare, always
bearing in mind that it is the youth who will eventually be called upon to discharge the
responsibility of leadership in shaping the nation's future; and
(7) Help in the observance of individual human rights, the strengthening of freedom
everywhere, the fostering of cooperation among nations in the pursuit of their common aspirations
for programs and prosperity, and the furtherance of world peace.

DepED Order No. 40, s. 2012

“POLICY AND GUIDELINES ON PROTECTING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL FROM ABUSE,
VIOLENCE, EXPLOITATION, DISCRIMINATION, BULLYING AND OTHER FORMS OF
ABUSE”
Statement of Policy
 The policy aims to protect the child from all forms of violence that may be inflicted by
adults, persons in authority as well as their fellow students, including bullying.
 To provide special protection to children who are gravely threatened or endangered by
circumstances which affect their normal development and over which they have no control,
and to assist the concerned agencies in their rehabilitation.
 To ensure that such special protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation and care as
is necessary for the child's well-being, taking into account the primary rights and duties of
parents, legal guardians, or other individuals who are legally responsible and exercise
custody over the child.
 Zero tolerance for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying
and other forms of abuse.
 The policy guidelines have listed down the specific acts that constitute child abuse and
violence which public and private schools’ cases used as a guide in addressing this
social problem.
Legal Bases
Section 3 (2) Article XV of the 1987 Constitution
 * the state shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and
nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and
other conditions prejudicial to their development.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
* aims to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse,
neglect or negligent treatment maltreatment and exploitation, including sexual abuse.
Definition of Terms
 Child– refers to any person below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable
to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty,
exploitation or discrimination of physical or mental disability or condition (RA 7610).
Includes pupils or students who may be eighteen (18) years of age or older but are in school.
 Children in School- refers to bonafide pupils, students or learners who are enrolled in the
basic education system, whether regular, irregular, transferee or repeater, including those
who have been temporarily out of school, who are in the school or learning centers premises
or participating in school sanctioned activities.
 Pupil, Student or Learner - means a child who regularly attends classes in any level of the
basic education system, under the supervision of a teacher or facilitator.
COVERAGE
 Children who are enrolled in the basic education system;
 School Personnel
- School Head
- Teaching or Non-Teaching personnel
 School Visitor or Guest
- Media
- Suppliers or Bidders
- Parents and Guardians, etc.

PROHIBITED ACTS:
 Abuse
 Violence
 Exploitation
 Discrimination
 Corporal Punishment
 Bullying
 Other Forms of Abuse
“Child Abuse” – refers to the maltreatment of a child, whether habitual or not, which includes any
of the following:
1. psychological or physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional
maltreatment;
2. any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and
dignity of a child as a human being;
3. unreasonable deprivation of the child’s basic needs for survival, such as food and shelter;
or
 4. failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child resulting in serious
impairment of his or her growth and development or in the child’s permanent incapacity or
death (Sec. 3 [b], RA 7610).

“Discrimination against children” – refers to an act of exclusion, distinction, restriction or

preference which is based on any ground such as age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and gender
identity, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth,
being infected or affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS), being pregnant, being a child in conflict with the law, being a child with
disability or other status or condition, and which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing
the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons, on an equal footing, of all rights and
freedoms.

“Child exploitation” – refers to the use of children for someone else’s advantage, gratification or
profit often resulting in an unjust, cruel and harmful treatment of the child. These activities disrupt
the child’s normal physical or mental health, education, moral or social emotional development. It
covers situations of manipulation, misuse, abuse, victimization, oppression or ill-treatment.
There are two (2) main forms of child exploitation that are recognized:
1. Sexual exploitation – refers to the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential
power, or trust, for sexual purposes. It includes, but it is not limited to forcing a child
to participate in prostitution or the production of pornographic materials, as a result of
being subjected to a threat, deception, coercion, abduction, force, abuse of authority,
debt bondage, fraud or through abuse of a victim’s vulnerability.
2. Economic exploitation – refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the
benefit of others. Economic exploitation involves a certain gain or profit through the
production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. This includes, but is
not limited to, illegal child labor, as defined in RA 9231.

“Violence against children committed in schools” – refers to a single act or a series of acts
committed by school administrators, academic and non-academic personnel against a child, which
result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or other abuses
including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of
liberty. It includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:
1. Physical violence refers to acts that inflict bodily or physical harm. It includes assigning
children to perform tasks which are hazardous to their physical well-being.
2. Sexual violence refers to acts that are sexual in nature. It includes, but is not limited to:
a. rape, sexual harassment, acts of lasciviousness, making demeaning and sexually
suggestive remarks, physically attacking the sexual parts of the victim’s body;
b. forcing the child to watch obscene publications and indecent shows or forcing
the child to do indecent sexual acts and/or to engage or be involved in, the
creation or distribution of such films, indecent publication or material; and
 c. acts causing or attempting to cause the child to engage in any sexual activity by
force, threat of force, physical or other harm or threat of physical or other harm
or coercion, or through inducements, gifts or favors.

3. Psychological violence refers to acts or omissions causing or likely to cause mental or

emotional suffering of the child, such as but not limited to intimidation, harassment,
stalking, damage to property, public ridicule or humiliation, deduction or threat of
deduction from grade or merit as a form of punishment, and repeated verbal abuse.
4. Other acts of violence of a physical, sexual or psychological nature that are prejudicial
to the best interest of the child.

“Bullying or Peer Abuse” – refers to willful aggressive behavior that is directed, towards a
particular victim who may be out-numbered, younger, weak, with disability, less confident, or
otherwise vulnerable. More particularly:
1. Bullying – is committed when a student commits an act or a series of acts directed
towards another student, or a series of single acts directed towards several students in
a school setting or a place of learning, which results in physical and mental abuse,
harassment, intimidation, or humiliation. Such acts may consist of any one or more of
the following:
a. Threats to inflict a wrong upon the person, honor or property of the person or
on his or her family;
b. Stalking or constantly following or pursuing a person in his or her daily
activities, with unwanted and obsessive attention;
c. Taking of property;
d. Public humiliation, or public and malicious imputation of a crime or of a vice
or defect, whether real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or
circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit or expose a person to
contempt;
e. Deliberate destruction or defacement of, or damage to the child’s property;
f. Physical violence committed upon a student, which may or may not result to
harm or injury, with or without the aid of a weapon. Such violence may be in
the form of mauling, hitting, punching, kicking, throwing things at the student,
pinching, spanking, or other similar acts;
g. Demanding or requiring sexual or monetary favors, or exacting money or
property, from a pupil or student; and
h. Restraining the liberty and freedom of a pupil or student.

2. Cyber-bullying – is any conduct defined in the preceding paragraph, as resulting in

harassment, intimidation, or humiliation, through electronic means or other technology,
such as, but not limited to texting, email, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social
networking websites or other platforms or formats.
“Other acts of abuse by a pupil, student or learner”– refers to other serious acts of abuse committed
by a pupil, student or learner upon another pupil, student or learner of the same school, not falling
under the definition of ‘bullying’ in the preceding provisions, including but not limited to acts of
a physical, sexual or psychological nature.

“Corporal Punishment” – refers to a kind of punishment or penalty imposed for an alleged or actual
offense, which is carried out or inflicted, for the purpose of discipline, training or control, by a
teacher, school administrator, an adult, or any other child who has been given or has assumed
authority or responsibility for punishment or discipline. It includes physical, humiliating or
degrading punishment, including, but not limited to the following:
1. Blows such as, but not limited to, beating, kicking, hitting, slapping, or lashing, of any
part of a child’s body, with or without the use of an instrument such as, but not limited
to a cane, broom, stick, whip or belt;
2. Striking of a child’s face or head, such being declared as a “no contact zone”;
3. Pulling hair, shaking, twisting joints, cutting or piercing skin, dragging, pushing or
throwing of a child;
4. Forcing a child to perform physically painful or damaging acts such as, but not limited
to, holding a weight or weights for an extended period and kneeling on stones, salt,
pebbles or other objects;
5. Deprivation of a child’s physical needs as a form of punishment;
6. Deliberate exposure to fire, ice, water, smoke, sunlight, rain, pepper, alcohol, or forcing
the child to swallow substances, dangerous chemicals, and other materials that can
cause discomfort or threaten the child’s health, safety and sense of security such as, but
not limited to bleach or insecticides, excrement or urine;
7. Tying up a child;
8. Confinement, imprisonment or depriving the liberty of a child;
9. Verbal abuse or assaults, including intimidation or threat of bodily harm, swearing or
cursing, ridiculing or denigrating the child;
10. Forcing a child to wear a sign, to undress or disrobe, or to put on anything that will
make a child look or feel foolish, which belittles or humiliates the child in front of
others;
11. Permanent confiscation of personal property of pupils, students or learners, except
when such pieces of property pose a danger to the child or to others; and
12. Other analogous acts.

“Positive and Non-Violent Discipline of Children” -is a way of thinking and a holistic, constructive
and pro-active approach to teaching that helps children develop appropriate thinking and behavior
in the short and long-term and fosters self-discipline. It is based on the fundamental principle that
children are full human beings with basic human rights. Positive discipline begins with setting the
long-term goals or impacts that teachers want to have on their students’ adult lives, and using
everyday situations and challenges as opportunities to teach life-long skills and values to students.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Central Office
 Develop policy and guidelines for the prevention of violence against children in schools
and make these available to all schools;
 Conduct a nationwide information dissemination;
 Devise programs, campaigns and activities
 Formulate a system of standard reporting of cases
 The Secretary exercise disciplinary jurisdiction
Regional Office
 Encourage and support advocacy campaigns;
 Consolidate reports on incidents and cases;
 Monitor and evaluate the implementation of CPC
 Exercise disciplinary jurisdiction
 Give recommendation to the Central Office
Division Office
 Conduct information dissemination activities
 Organize and conduct capacity building activities for the members of the Child Protection
Committee
 Develop strategies to address the risk factors
 Consolidate reports
 Exercise disciplinary jurisdiction
 Give recommendations to the Regional Office

Schools
All school heads shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
 ensure the institution of effective child protection policies and procedures, and monitor
compliance thereof;
 ensure that the school adopts a child protection policy;
 organize and convene the Child Protection Committee of the school;
 ensure that all pupils, students or learners, school personnel, parents, guardians or
custodians, and visitors and guests are made aware of Child Protection Policy;
 conduct capacity building activities for the members of the Child Protection Committee;
 conduct disciplinary proceedings;
 maintain a record of all proceedings;
 coordinate with the appropriate government and non-governmental organizations
Duties and Responsibilities of School Personnel
1. Exercise special parental authority and responsibility over the child while under their
supervision, instruction and custody. Authority and responsibility shall apply to all
authorized activities whether inside or outside the premises of the school, entity or
institution.
2. Keep them in their company and support, educate and instruct them by right precept and
good example;
 3. Give them love and affection, advice and counsel, companionship and understanding;
4. Enhance, protect, preserve and maintain their physical and mental health at all times;
5. Furnish them with good and wholesome educational materials, supervise their activities,
recreation and association with others, protect them from bad company and prevent them
from acquiring habits detrimental to their health, studies and morals;
6. Represent them in all matters affecting their interests;
7. Inculcate the value of respect and obedience;
8. Practice positive and non-violent discipline, as may be required under the circumstances;
provided, that in no case shall corporal punishment be inflicted upon them;
9. Perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon them, as substitute parents or
guardians; and
10. School personnel shall also strictly comply with the school’s child protection policy.

Duties and Responsibilities of Pupils, Students and Learners

A. Comply with the school’s regulations, as long as they are in harmony with their best interests.
Pupils, students and learners shall refrain from:
1. Comply with the school’s regulations, as long as they are in harmony with their best
interests. Pupils, students and learners shall refrain from:
2. Engaging in discrimination, or leading a group of pupils or students to discriminate another,
with reference to one’s physical appearance, weaknesses and status of any sort;
3. Doing any act that is inappropriate or sexually provocative;
4. Participating in behavior of other students that is illegal, unsafe or abusive;
5. Marking or damaging school property, including books, in any way;
6. Engaging in fights or any aggressive behavior;
7. Introducing into the school premises or otherwise possessing prohibited articles, such as
deadly weapons, drugs, alcohol, toxic and noxious substances, cigarettes and pornographic
material; and
8. Performing other similar acts that cause damage or injury to another.
B. Conduct themselves in accordance with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated
capabilities, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other persons;
C. Respect another person’s rights regardless of opinion, status, gender, ethnicity, religion, as well
as everyone’s moral and physical integrity; and
D. Observe the Code of Conduct for pupils, students and learners.

Establishment of Child Protection Committee

All public and private elementary and secondary schools shall establish a Child Protection
Committee (CPC).
The CPC shall be composed of the following:
 School Head/Administrator – Chairperson
 Guidance Counselor/ Teacher – Vice Chairperson
 Representative of the Teachers as designated by the Faculty Club
 Representative of the Parents as designated by the Parents-Teachers Association
  Representative of pupils, students and learners as designated by the Supreme Student
Council
 Representative from the Community as designated by the Punong Barangay, preferably a
member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).

The CPC shall perform the following functions:

1. Draft a school child protection policy with a code of conduct and a plan to ensure child
protection and safety, which shall be reviewed every three (3) years.
2. Initiate information dissemination programs and organize activities for the protection of
children from abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying or peer abuse;
3. Develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring system. The template for
the referral system is attached as Annex “D”;
4. Establish a system for identifying students who may be suffering from significant harm
based on any physical, emotional or behavioral signs;
5. Identify, refer and, if appropriate, report to the appropriate offices cases involving child
abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying;
6. Give assistance to parents or guardians, whenever necessary in securing expert guidance
counseling from the appropriate offices or institutions;
7. Coordinate closely with the Women and Child Protection Desks of the Philippine National
Police (PNP), the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO), other
government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as may be
appropriate;
8. Monitor the implementation of positive measures and effective procedures in providing the
necessary support for the child and for those who care for the child; and
9. Ensure that the children’s right to be heard are respected and upheld in all matters and
procedures affecting their welfare.

The conduct of investigation and reporting of cases of child abuse, exploitation, violence or
discrimination, shall be done expeditiously, as herein provided.
A. Expeditious conduct of investigation and reporting of cases;
B. School Head or the Schools Division Superintendent shall forward the complaint and
Intake Sheet within 48 hours to the Disciplining Authority, who shall issue an Order for
the conduct of a fact-finding investigation, not later than 72 hours from submission;
C. Upon receipt of the complaint the School heads shall properly fill-up the INTAKE SHEET-
annex B of DepEd Order 40, s. 2012;
D. Conduct INTERVENTION program to the parties/students.
E. Intervention made by Guidance Counselor is made in series/programs and to be reported
to the Regional Office
F. If the school have no Guidance Counselor, referred to the nearest school with guidance
counselor or to the DSWD;

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE IN EVERYDAY TEACHING

 Positive discipline is an approach to teaching that helps children succeed, gives them the
information they need to learn, and supports their development. It respects children’s right to
healthy development, protection from violence, and active participation in their learning.

Positive discipline is not about permissiveness, letting students do whatever they want, or
having no rules, limits or expectations.

Positive discipline is about long-term solutions that develop students’ own self-
discipline and their life-long learning. It is about clear and consistent communication, and
consistent reinforcement of your expectations, rules and limits. Positive discipline is about
teaching non- violence, empathy, self-respect, human rights, and respect for others.

Research on
healthy child
development

Research on Child rights

effective
principles
teaching

Positive discipline has five components:

Problem
solving
1. Identifying your long-term goals
2. Providing warmth and structure Recognizing individual
3. Understanding child development differences

4. Identifying individual differences Understanding child

5. Problem-solving and responding with positive development
discipline
Providing Providing
The foundation of positive discipline is child rights and warmth structure
pedagogical principles.
Setting long-term goals
1. Identifying your long-term goals
Teaching children all they need to learn in order to be successful in life is one of the
world’s most important jobs. But many teachers begin a new school year without thinking
about the impact they will have on their students’ later lives.
The aim of education is to prepare students for success in their adult lives. We can
turn short-term challenges into opportunities to work towards our long-term goals by teaching
children how to manage stress, respect themselves and others, and be successful learners.

2. Providing warmth and structure

Your long-term goals are your blueprints. They keep you focused on the impact you want
to have on your students. Achieving those goals requires two tools – warmth and structure.

Warmth
Warmth affects students academically, emotionally and behaviorally. As teachers and
adults, we are motivated to try, to learn from our mistakes, and do better next time when we
are supported by those around us. Students also learn best when they feel respected,
understood, trusted, and safe. A warm classroom environment is the foundation for meeting
your long-term goals.
Teachers provide warmth to their students by supporting them in their learning,
showing interest in who they are, recognizing their efforts and successes, and looking at
situations from their students’ point of view.

Structure
Structure is the information and support that students need in order to succeed
academically and behaviorally. It gives students the tools they need to solve problems when
you are not present. Structure shows students how to work out conflicts with other people
in a constructive, non-violent way. It also informs them about how they can succeed
academically.
Teachers provide structure for their students by acting as positive role models and
mentors, explaining the reasons for rules, involving students in setting rules, hearing
students’ point of view, helping them find ways to fix their mistakes in a way that helps to
learn, being fair, controlling anger, and avoiding threats.
Positive discipline combines warmth and structure throughout each student’s
school years. It is a way of thinking that helps teachers to meet their short-term goals,
while having a positive life-long impact on their students. It also is a way of increasing
students’ interest in learning, strengthening their motivation to achieve and promoting their
academic success.

3. Understanding child development

Teachers are well aware that children change as they grow. Development is an ongoing,
never-ending process. It is because children change that we are able to teach them new
information and new skills. All learning builds on prior learning – and forms a foundation for
future learning.
But children do not learn in the same way at every age. Their ways of thinking and
understanding change, so the ways that we teach them must change as well. To reach your
long-term goals you need to provide warmth and structure that are appropriate to your students’
stage of development. Expectations need to match students’ abilities.
When we start to see the world through the eyes of a 6-year- old or a 13-year-old, we
can begin to understand the reasons for their behavior. Then we can be more effective teachers.

a. Early childhood
Much of students’ development is invisible to teachers. Children’s experiences
before school entry set the stage for their readiness to learn, their motivation to learn,
and their skills in social interaction.
It is important for teachers to consider and find out how a child’s preschool
experiences might have formed a self- concept that is expressed in his attitudes toward
learning and his behavior in the classroom or in the schoolyard.

b. Transition to school
Making the transition to school is a momentous event in a child’s life. It is one
of the biggest adjustments she will ever make. From a child’s perspective, school is an
entirely new world. It is in a new location, filled with new children and new adults with
new expectations. There are new schedules and routines to follow. And, perhaps for
the first time, the child is without her parents or caregivers. This situation presents a
tremendous challenge for the child.
At the moment of school entry, teachers assume a large share of
responsibility for the child’s successful transition. Their responses can affect
children’s feelings toward school and learning for many years to come. Teachers
can help children to make this adjustment when they understand how children think
at this age.
If a child is having difficulty making the adjustment to school, it is important
to assess the behavior and find the reasons that lie behind it. Then we can choose a
response that encourages self-discipline while motivating the child to learn and
achieve.

c. Early Primary (6- to 8-year-olds)

If the transition to school has been made successfully, children in the early
years of elementary/primary school are typically eager to learn and highly motivated
to master new challenges. They have an innate drive to understand their world.
Children’s experiences in primary school set the stage for their success in
later years. At this time, teachers need to create a learning climate that is supportive
and encouraging, and that nurtures children’s motivation to learn.
Some characteristics of children in this stage can present challenges to
creating a supportive environment. These children are active, curious, distractible
and independent.
Each of these characteristics can lead to conflict in the classroom. Teachers’
approaches to these conflicts can have a powerful impact on children’s feelings about
school.

d. Late Primary (9- to 12-year-olds)

By the late primary grades, children are able to solve problems mentally, so
their mathematical abilities progress quickly. They also become able to think about
 their own thinking (meta- cognition). This means that they can reflect on how they
learn, assess their strategies, and try out new ones.
Socially, children become focused on peer relationships. They form close
friendships – and can experience intense conflict. In this stage, teachers need to create
a learning climate that fosters both academic and social confidence.

e. Adolescence (13- to 18- year-olds)

Adolescence is a time of remarkable transformation. Youth are crossing the
bridge from childhood to adulthood, an amazing change seen in all areas of their
development.
Teachers need to help students develop a sense of right and wrong, and a sense of
responsibility and competence. Trust is important - so are listening, giving them clear
and honest

4. Recognizing individual differences

While all children go through the same stages of development, they do so within different
environments, cultures, and with different personalities, talents and abilities. Every class is made
up of a group of individual students, each with his or her own story. Teachers need to find out the
different stories in their classrooms.
Each child arrives in the classroom with a unique set of experiences that affects her. It is
extremely important that teachers understand the challenges each child faces and provide the
support they need.
For students who feel “different”, a teacher who believes in them can make the difference
between their success and failure in school.

5.Problem solving
Sometimes students’ behaviors can be mystifying to teachers. “Why won’t she stop
talking?” “Why can’t he just do his homework?”
Once a teacher has identified her long- term goals, understands the importance of providing
warmth and structure, understands child development and recognizes the importance of individual
differences, she will have the information she needs to solve these challenges by responding with
positive discipline.
Remember that a student needs to feel respected, information, clear expectations and
structure. Discipline is not about punishment. It is not always easy to respond constructively in
challenging situations. Positive discipline takes thought and practice.
Positive discipline can guide all teachers’ interactions with their students, not just the
challenging ones. It also can guide their teaching of academic skills, not just social and behavioral
skills. It is important to think ahead and plan a response. And practice, practice, and practice.
References/Additional Resources/Readings:

Corpuz, B. B., Lucas, M. R. D. , Borado, H. G. L., & Lucido, P. I. (2015). Child and Adolescent
Development: Looking at Learners at Different Life Stages. Lorimar Publishing
Paris, J., Ricardo, A., Rymond, D., Johnson, A. (2018). Child Growth and Development.
College of Canyons

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and PD 603:

https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/what-is-the-convention
https://pcw.gov.ph/presidential-decree-no-603-the-child-and-youth-welfare-code/

Anti-Bullying Act R.A 10627:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/09/12/republic-act-no-10627/

Child Protection Policy:

https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DO_s2012_40.pdf

Positive Discipline:
https://bulacandeped.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/POSITIVE-DISCIPLINE-IN-
EVERYDAY-TEACHING-A-Primer-for-Filipino-Teachers.pd