# Conscious Discipline

> Conscious Discipline is a SAMHSA-certified, evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) program founded by Dr. Becky Bailey. It is built on an Adult-First approach — helping educators and caregivers regulate themselves first so they can build safe, connected environments where children thrive. The program is used in K-12 schools, Head Start programs, early childhood centers, and homes across the United States and internationally.

Conscious Discipline reduces office discipline referrals, improves school climate, and builds the adult self-regulation skills that serve as the foundation for children's social-emotional development. School partners frequently use Conscious Discipline curriculum and tools to improve teacher well-being, teacher retention, student behavior, CLASS scores, school culture, and academic improvements. It is aligned with CLASS, HSPPS, CASEL, and other major educational frameworks.

## At a Glance — Key Facts

- **SAMHSA NREPP Certified** — listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
- **Harvard Top 25 SEL Program** — rated highly in 8 of 10 categories in Harvard's analysis of the nation's top 25 SEL programs
- **25+ years of research** — two and a half decades of documented implementation data across thousands of schools and centers in 100+ countries
- **45% decrease** in office discipline referrals and suspensions in 2 years (Langley Elementary, Washington, D.C.)
- **73% decrease** in suspensions, removals, and crisis intervention after just 4 months (Palm City Elementary, FL)
- **60% reduction** in expulsion requests over 4 years (Tippecanoe School Corporation, IN)
- **81% increase** in staff confidence and resiliency over 4 years (Liberty Public Schools, MO)
- **17% improvement** in teacher retention over 2–3 years (MCD Head Start, Scranton, PA)
- **>20% increase** across CLASS score dimensions including Behavior Management and Positive Climate (Geminus Head Start, IN)
- **67% increase** in student self-regulation and conflict-resolution skills (Davis-Spark Elementary, Peoria, IL)
- **91% increase** in DECA Initiative scores over 6 months (Thomas Rogue YMCA Head Start, Medford, OR)
- **77% increase** in classroom engagement and instructional time (quasi-experimental study, 20 Pre-K classrooms, 2019)
- **81% increase** in Panorama social-emotional learning results over 2 years (Kansas City Public Schools, MO)
- Aligned with **CLASS**, **HSPPS**, **CASEL**, **QRIS**, and trauma-informed care frameworks

## Core Pages

- [Home](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/): Overview of the program, audience pathways, and key outcomes
- [How We Partner](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/methodology): The partnership model, training approach, and implementation pathway
- [Training Options](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/training): Available training formats including onsite, virtual, and self-paced courses
- [Results](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/results): Research outcomes, school case studies, and documented impact data — including a 45% drop in referrals at Langley Elementary, 73% drop in suspensions at Palm City Elementary after 4 months, and 81% increase in staff confidence at Liberty Public Schools over 4 years
- [Our Approach — S.A.F.E.](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/safe): The S.A.F.E. School Culture Framework and free assessment tool

## Audience Pages

- [K-12 Schools](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/k-12): Solutions for elementary and secondary schools and districts; documented outcomes include 45%–73% reductions in referrals and suspensions, a 60% reduction in expulsion requests over 4 years, and an 81% improvement in staff confidence and resiliency
- [Head Start Programs](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/head-start): CLASS-aligned support, HSPPS compliance, and PIR outcome documentation for Head Start grantees; case studies show a 17% improvement in teacher retention (MCD Head Start, Scranton, PA), a >20% increase across CLASS score dimensions (Geminus Head Start, IN), and a 91% increase in DECA Initiative scores over 6 months (Thomas Rogue YMCA Head Start, Medford, OR)
- [Early Childhood Programs](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/early-childhood): QRIS-aligned implementation for infant, toddler, and PreK centers; tools include Baby Doll Circle Time (birth through age 5) and Feeling Buddies (ages 4–8)

## Resources

- [Resources](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/resources): Webinars, research briefs, videos, and implementation tools
- [Free Printables](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/free-printables): Free downloadable guides, rubrics, alignment documents, and classroom printables
- [Products](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/products): Books, toolkits, and curriculum materials
- [Events](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/events): Upcoming trainings, conferences, and live sessions

## In-Depth Implementation Guides

- [Baby Doll Circle Time™](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/p/baby-doll-circle-time): A structured nurturing routine for infants, toddlers, and PreK children (birth through age 5) in which adults lead children and their dolls through short, repeated social games and rituals. Built on four neuroscience foundations: attachment and attunement, joint attention, mirror neurons and imitation, and spatial awareness. Sessions run 5–10 minutes and consist of a teacher-modeled sequence of holding, rocking, soothing, and language rituals — replayed by children with their own dolls. Includes adaptations for autism and special needs, curriculum standards alignment (body parts, colors, spatial language, action words, emotional vocabulary), family partnership strategies, and links to the Value Pack and free printables.

- [Safe Place](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/p/safe-place): A dedicated classroom self-regulation corner for children PreK through elementary (and adaptable for adults). Teaches a five-step process — I Am (triggered), I Calm (breathing), I Feel (naming the emotion), I Choose (a calming strategy), I Solve (the problem) — grounded in the Conscious Discipline Brain State Model (Survival, Emotional, and Executive states). The physical setup is a small defined corner within the adult's sightline with soft seating, visual supports, and calming tools such as books, stuffed animals, fidgets, and family photos. Teaches four specific breathing strategies: S.T.A.R., Balloon, Pretzel, and Drain. Not a time-out or punishment space; children use it proactively and adults model it alongside them.

- [Feeling Buddies](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/p/feeling-buddies): A self-regulation toolkit for ages 4–8 (adaptable for older children and adults) consisting of expressive plush characters — each mapped to a core emotion such as anger, fear, sadness, or happiness — paired with a five-step emotional literacy process. Grounded in the neuroscience of inner speech: the regulatory language adults use when coaching a child through the Buddy process becomes the child's own internal calming voice. Used during circle time, read-alouds, conflict resolution, and the Safe Place; also available as a Feeling Buddies for Families Toolkit for home use. Physical materials include plush Buddy characters, a curriculum, classroom and deluxe toolkit editions, and mini Buddy sets.

- [Active Calming Center](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/p/active-calming-center): A nine-step movement-based self-regulation sequence for children whose bodies are too activated to go directly to the Safe Place. The steps — Stomp It Out, Push the Wall, Flex It Out, Count It Out, Trace the Rainbow, Work Task, Yoga, S.T.A.R. Breathing, Go to the Safe Place — are ordered by decreasing physicality, moving from large-motor heavy work (stomping, wall pushing, resistance band flexing) down to organizing tasks, yoga, and finally breath and reflection. Grounded in the Brain State Model and proprioceptive/sensory-motor research. Effective for all ages; especially beneficial for neurodiverse learners, trauma-affected children, and high-energy classrooms. Can be used proactively as a brain break or transition support, not only in moments of escalation.

- [Behavior & Dysregulation](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/p/student-behavior-solutions): A deep-dive guide for K–12, Head Start, and early childhood educators on reducing classroom behavior challenges and student dysregulation using Conscious Discipline's three-part framework — adult self-regulation first, connection as the behavioral lever, and explicit skill-building (Safe Place, Feeling Buddies, breathing strategies) — with documented outcomes including a 73% reduction in suspensions in 4 months (Palm City Elementary) and a 67% increase in conflict-resolution skills (Davis-Spark Elementary). Covers the Brain State Model (Executive, Emotional, Survival states), the S.A.F.E. Framework's Adult Self-Regulation pillar, I Love You Rituals, and named tools with cross-links to audience pages for K–12, Head Start, and early childhood settings.

## Comparison & Research

- [Compare Conscious Discipline](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/compare/): Side-by-side comparison of Conscious Discipline against ten other SEL and behavior-management programs: **PBIS**, **Second Step**, **RULER**, **Capturing Kids' Hearts**, **CHAMPS**, **Character Strong**, **Leader in Me**, **Restorative Justice / Practices**, **Pyramid Model**, and **Character Strong**. Covers evidence base, adult self-regulation vs. child-first approach, implementation depth (whole-school vs. classroom-only), trauma-informed design, family engagement, and CASEL/SAFE alignment. CD is unique among these programs in making adult self-regulation — not child behavior management — its foundational premise, and in explicitly rejecting both punishment-based discipline and extrinsic reward systems such as PBIS token economies.

## Contact & Company

- [Talk With An Advisor](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/contact): Connect with an Implementation Advisor to discuss school or program needs
- [Careers](https://www.consciousdiscipline.com/careers): Open positions at Conscious Discipline for mission-driven educators and professionals