2018 Beach Retreat Leader Manual

PRACTICAL WAYS
TO DISCIPLINE
STUDENTS
• Use eye contact or body language to correct behavior.
• Pull a misbehaving student aside and explain why
his or her behavior is not necessary. Warn the
student about the consequences of continuing the
behavior. Example: “The next time you ... you will
lose 30 minutes of free time.”
• Take away privileges or free time. Make the
punishment fit the crime. To some students, losing
30 minutes of free time is a horrible punishment.
• Never threaten to send a student home. Only the
Youth Pastor will make that decision.
• Do not overreact. Students will misbehave. For
example, many students are in the habit of cursing.
Other students are critical and cut down everyone
around. While you don’t want to overlook these
faults, avoid the inclination to overreact. If a student
slips and curses in front of you accidentally, he is
immediately embarrassed and regrets what he said.
So all you need to say is something like this: “Watch
it. Let’s not hear that again.” However, if it happens
again, you might want to discuss what appears to
be a habit. Warn the student of the consequences
he will suffer if it happens again: “If you curse again,
you’ll lose 30 minutes of free time.”
• If you are not certain how to discipline a student, buy
time! You might say, “That behavior is not acceptable.
We’ll talk about it later.” Then ask a veteran leader or
your Youth Pastor what you should do.
It is crucial
that you are
uncompromising
with the rules,
but being firm
is not the same
as being mean!
Don’t overdo
it. If you have
sweet little
angels in your
condo, you
won’t have to
lay down the
law. But if your
students are
strong willed,
read these
instructions
again and again!
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