The first step to creating effective classroom management strategies in preschools is to train the teachers. Simply reading a pamphlet or being told to manage the kids is not nearly enough to promote positive behaviors. Whether it is through workshops at a local early educational agency, college classes, mentoring/modeling or workplace seminars, training is a critical component of classroom management. Trainings should include evidence-based strategies on acceptable forms of discipline, minimizing daily disruptions, anger management, promoting healthy social and emotional development, and problem-solving. These experiences help teachers to learn ways to handle a classroom full of kids, understand the root of specific problem behaviors, and correct negative actions with effective strategies.
Classroom management doesn't have to focus only on discipline and strategies for stopping negative behaviors after the fact. Some classroom management practices use techniques to stop the disruption before it starts. Creating routines in the preschool classroom can give the young children a feeling of stability, make them aware of daily expectations, and keep a positive flow throughout the school day. Create a daily schedule for a visual reminder of what to expect and what to do. Make this large enough for the kids to easily see and decorate it with both words and pictures. For example, draw a picture of a book for circle or reading times and a cot for nap time. Be consistent every day with your schedule. Although there may be occasional disruptions for a field trip or special visitor, try to keep the routine as is every day.
Engaging preschoolers in an interesting and meaningful activity provides classroom teachers with an effective means to prevent and redirect negative behaviors. Activities such as rolling and pounding play dough or dancing up a storm offer kids the opportunity to get out their frustrations in a positive manner. Educators can redirect problematic behaviors into fruitful projects. For example, if one or more of your students simply will not listen and insists on running around the classroom at top speed, put on an uptempo CD. The sudden blast of music will most likely stop everyone in their tracks. Once you have their attention, invite the children to gather in an empty classroom space to move and dance.
Moving from activity to activity or even in between learning centers can be a problematic time in many preschool classrooms. Young children may not be willing to give up a favorite toy, stop playing a game or clam down for a quiet meal or nap time. To effectively manage transitions preschool teachers can try a few different techniques that aim to make these changes run smoothly. Announce the next activity or transition time prior to making the change. Avoid sudden stops; this does not give children enough time to prepare. Engage the children in an actual transition-time activity such as a cleanup song or follow the leader to lunchtime game. Use similar transition activities every day to provide consistency.