“Children begin to share a different set of social customs about what is the right thing to do.’’ Dr. Twemlow said. “And when they do that, they feel better; they enjoy school more and they want to go to school. They learn more and classes are better and the whole thing sort of snowballs.”
The Peaceful Schools Project contrasted Menninger’s anti-violence program with two others, each in three sets of elementary schools in a Topeka, Kansas, district involving more than 3,000 students.
Changing behaviors in the early grades leaves behind a more peaceful sense of community that produces a more rewarding academic experience. And not only for students.
One classroom teacher who worked in the Peaceful Schools Program summed up her experience in five joyous words: “I can finally teach again,” she said.
Further research will test the results at sites in various demographic settings.
- The Menninger Clinic
Articles in The Science of Mental Health are written by the originating institution. This article was originally posted to Newswise. Newswise maintains a comprehensive database of news releases from top institutions engaged in scientific, medical, liberal arts and business research. The friendly interface allows you to search, browse or download any article or abstract.
