Establish a set of rules on the first day of school. Go over them in the morning, speaking slowly and clearly so that children understand them.
Make a poster illustrating the rules to hang in the front of the classroom to remind children of how to behave. Illustrations are crucial for children who do not yet know how to read.
Go over the rules periodically, especially when a child breaks a rule. Make a song about the rules in your classroom to help teach to the children.
Role play situations with your students to help them choose what to do in a given situation. This can help them make the correct choices when faced with behavior decisions.
Establish consequences so that students will know what to expect. Consequences are very individualized and may depend on the teacher. Some teachers prefer to reward good behavior by giving away small prizes or currency (such as beans or tickets) to save up to "buy" bigger items. Others may prefer to punish bad behavior by designating a "time out" corner or taking away privileges like playing at recess. Whichever you decide, it is important to stick to your rules so that children receive consistency and understand what to expect.
Remind children of rules before beginning an activity. If there is a guest speaking, remind children to sit quietly and listen or if you are giving instructions, remind students that it is not their turn to speak.