Create a classroom schedule and follow it. Children who are accustomed to a daily routine are more likely to follow directions and do what they are asked to do.
Conduct a circle time or morning meeting as early as possible. If your students arrive at different times, wait until most students have arrived. During your circle time or morning meeting, introduce your students to the activities of the day. Letting your students know what is coming will help during transitions.
Engage your students in physical activities every day. Children with too much energy are prone to acting out, which can disrupt your structure and inhibit the safety of your students. If possible, take children out on a playground each day. When the weather is not permitting, create indoor physical activities such as dance time or an obstacle course.
Ensure you have the proper student to teacher ratio in your classroom. Laws differ by state, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 3:1 for birth to 24 months, 4:1 for 25 to 30 months, 5:1 for 31 to 35 months, 7:1 for 3 years, and 8:1 for 4 to 5 years. The classroom ratio always drops to the youngest child in your classroom. For example, if you have almost all 4 year olds, but one 3 year old in your classroom, your ratio should be 7:1. Maintaining the proper student to teacher ratios in your classroom will help you keep all your students safe.
Organize your classroom into stations. Some possible stations are art, puzzles, dramatic play, computers, math manipulatives and library. During free time, only open three or four stations. This makes it easier for you to observe all your students.