Haim Ginott

Jane, Megan, and Kerny

Biography
● Born: August 5, 1922 in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
● Died: November 4, 1973 in New York, NY
● Beginning in 1947 he worked as an elementary school teacher in Israel
● After immigrating the the U.S. he got his PhD in clinical psychology in
1952 at Columbia University
● His years of experience working with children lead him to write Between
Parent and Child, Between Parent and Teenager, and Teacher and Child
● The famous term “helicopter parent” was coined by him
● His theories are still actively used to this day
Theoretical Framework
● Communication is key
● Emotions and boundaries can create a positive environment for acceptable
behavior
● Teacher has complete power and sets the mood for the classroom
● Keys for effective communication:
○ Teacher instructs cooperative learning.
○ Discipline over punishment
● Active listening
● Pick your battles
○ Ignoring disruptive behavior until the teacher can address the student privately
○ Ignoring offensive language rather than making a big deal about it
Congruent Communication
● It’s a harmonious relationship between teacher and students that allows for effective
communication
● Using personal identification when addressing interactions.
○ If a student is continuously talking in class it is better not to say “why are you always talking,
I told you to stop talking.”
○ According to Ginott it would be better to say “I am hearing a lot of talking that is disrupting
the class.”
○ This removes the “you” statements replaces them with “I” statements that can address the
situation without attacking or criticizing the student.
Congruent Communication
- The teacher is essential in managing the classroom and its environment.
- Haim believed that the feelings of the student and the teacher should be accepted and
acknowledged.
- Both the student and teacher need to cooperate. Student accepts responsibility for their behavior,
and teacher creates a positive environment for behavior.
 GINOTT’S THREE PRINCIPLES
The teacher models
1. communication that is
sensitive to students’
3.
The teacher
emotions. chooses
discipline over - A teacher must
punishment.
do all of these to
make a positive
2. The teacher encourages impact!
cooperative learning.
Rules / Discipline
● Another of Ginott’s beliefs was that it is important to attach rules to objects.
● Children are supported by strict boundaries and rules
● It is important to talk about the object and the rule while not criticizing the child.
● Ex. would be to say “A bed is not for jumping.”
● Teachers should have good alternatives ready instead of punishment for students
● Direction over correction
A Teachers
Influence
Classroom Strategies
● Grace is fifteen years old and is very shy. During class you notice Grace playing on her phone under
her desk Using Ginott’s principles how would you address the situation.?
● While participating in a group activity you see Austin becoming increasingly frustrated. His voice is
gradually becoming louder and is disrupting the groups around him. How would you handle this
situation?
References
Between Parent and Child. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.betweenparentandchild.com/.

Main Points. (2016, January 26). Retrieved from

https://congruentcommunicationblog.wordpress.com/main-points/.