Provide separate areas for quiet and loud play. Separate areas prevent distractions for children who want to read or color while allowing children who need to expend some energy the opportunity to do so.
Clearly mark all areas with words and pictures so that the children know what each area is for. Label bins and toy chests with the contents of each; children will know where to get and put the toys and supplies when it is time to start an activity or clean up.
Take a picture of each student at the beginning of the year and hang the pictures on a bulletin board or on the walls. Hang artwork or worksheets the children complete underneath their pictures so that classmates can admire one another's handiwork and accomplishments, which will help the children feel positively about themselves.
Decorate your room each month with a theme, either for the holidays or to match a lesson plan you are teaching. Changing the decor on a regular basis and matching it to the season or what you are teaching will keep children interested in classroom activities and engage them more thoroughly in lesson plans.
Keep lessons simple but entertaining. Choose a specific theme, such as animals or food, and design activities, worksheets and coloring pages around it.
Set aside time each day for free play and quiet time. Spend the free play time observing the children and helping them learn social interaction skills. Quiet time should be spent on nap or play mats, with children either taking a nap or laying quietly for at least 20 minutes to refocus and recharge their energy.
Incorporate snack times into the day, preferably in the morning and afternoon. Snacks are an important part of a young child's diet. Offer healthy choices, such as pretzel sticks with yogurt dip, carrot and celery sticks, or hummus and pita chips, to expand your student's palates.
Keep parents informed of their children's progress and daily activities by sending home weekly progress reports. Let the parents know how their children performed academically and socially for the week. Include a preview of what the next week at preschool will look like, in case the parents want to take an active role in their child's education and continue the lesson at home.