Young children can become adept at tuning out a teacher who is fighting to be heard above the hubbub of a classroom. Instead of gradually raising your voice -- and your blood pressure -- get your students' attention by raising one hand in the air, high above the classroom. Slowly begin counting to five, raising your fingers as you count. The kids may be more attuned to your silence, since they're actually expecting you to be talking -- and the silent countdown can be intimidating enough to cause quiet to spread through your classroom.
If you have a whimsical personality and sense of humor, try grabbing your kindergarten students' attention using a magical wand. Prepare by attaching sparkly streamers, possibly tipped with stars or bolts of lightning, to a stick; a twirling baton or costume fairy wand can also do the trick. When your classroom starts to get out of control, begin gently shaking the wand over their heads. Tell the kids you are sprinkling magical quiet fairy dust on them -- and when it hits them, they must be quiet. Children may be intrigued enough to settle into their seats.
While your voice may simply add to the hubbub of a classroom of unfocused kindergarten students, unfamiliar background music notice can get their attention and soothe them at the same time. When you start loosing the attention of your students, turn on a CD of calming music, then sit quietly yourself. Wait until order is restored to begin speaking again.
For many kindergarten students, the threat of consequences can be the most powerful attention-grabber. Before class starts, create a stop light by drawing three circles on a piece of rectangular paper large enough for the entire class to see -- legal size paper, at least. Then, cut out three additional circle, that are the same size and color one red, one green and one yellow. Attach fasteners to the paper circles. As classroom movement and noise increases, move the traffic light from green to yellow to red, informing the kids with each move. If the traffic light goes to red, have established consequences -- like no play time or an extra homework assignment.