The teacher can move towards more flexibility after a while. Rules are a starting point, the end is for children be able to flexibly use and create them. From a developmental point of view, discipline is a set of attitudes. Children usually follow the lead of a competent, confident teacher. Parents who feel respected by the school generally are supportive of its activities and pass on this respect to their children.
Class size is a critical component.
The importance of one on one contact between teacher and student. Diversity should be honored but a focus on differences can be self-destructive. Cooperative learning with children working in pairs or small groups is productive. Multi-age groupings allows pairing of children with different abilities, more individualization as the teacher grows to know more about each child over time and makes the assimilation of new students easier as only part of the class is new each year. Four educational principles from David Elkind 1.