Towson

  United Methodist Church

    501 Hampton Lane

    (Beltway Exit 27B & Dulaney Valley Road)                                  email: towsonumc@towsonumc.org

    Towson, Maryland 21286             410-823-6511                         Elevator is available to access all 3 floors!

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APPENDIX G

POLICY OF THE TOWSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Age-Appropriate Discipline Methods – Children and Youth

The Towson United Methodist Church

Our goal is to ensure that every child who participates in a Ministry is offered a safe environment where God is the center of all that we do and say.

To do this, we need the children to follow these basic rules:

     1. Treat everyone with kindness and respect.

     2. Follow directions given by the teacher or leader of a Ministry.

     3. Remain in the classroom at all times unless escorted by a teacher or leader.

     4. Remember, there is no fighting, name calling, or rude behavior.

     5. Respect church property and remember this is God’s House.

As Parents and teachers, we realize that children are filled with energy; however, should a child’s behavior become disruptive to the class or any Ministry or harmful to self or others, the following actions shall be taken:

Pre-School:

     1. The teacher/leader shall redirect the child’s focus to an activity.

     2. A verbal reminder and separation from the source of disruption.
                Ex: separate children, put toy away, etc.

     3. Time-out in the classroom.  Use this time to explain to the child why it is important to exercise proper behavior.

     4. As a last resort, the Parent shall be located and asked to sit with the child or remove him/her from the activity for that day.

Elementary:

     1. The teacher/leader shall redirect the child’s focus to an activity.
                Ex: ask the child to help.

     2. A verbal reminder and separation from the source of disruption.
                Ex: separate children, put toy away, etc.

     3. Time-out in the classroom.  Use this time to explain to the child why it is important to exercise proper behavior.

     4. As a last resort, the Parent shall be located and asked to sit with the child or remove him/her from the activity for that day.

Youth:

        Discipline concerning the youth may be left up to the discretion of the Youth Director and may include the possibility of being sent home at the Parents’ expense; provided, however, that in no event may such discipline constitute a violation of this Policy (for example, physical discipline such as spanking or communications which might constitute verbal or emotional abuse).