Choose the criteria for your rules chart. Decide what you consider to be acceptable behavior and what isn't. Think about how you want your preschoolers to behave and which rules are most important for them to understand and follow, such as "Hands to Yourself," "Respect One Another" and "Always Clean Up After Yourself." Determine if you want to reward children who follow the rules and how you may want to discipline children who break the rules.
Open a blank document from your computer's word processing software. In the "Font" menu, select a font that is both simple to read and eye-catching to your students. Under "Font Size," select a size that is larger (such as Size 30) so that your students can read the rules clearly. Change the color of the font to something more appealing, like purple or orange, by selecting "Font Color."
Create a heading for your rules chart. Write a heading such as "Miss Jenny's Class Rules" or "Class Rules of Room 202." Underline the title or bold the font to make the title stand out.
List the class rules in order of importance. List the rules in a simplified manner that young students can understand. List a maximum of 10 rules, as having to remember more than 10 is too much for most preschoolers. Students may forget and break some of those rules as a result.
Insert clip art and other images to liven up your rules chart. Use clip art images that come included with your word processing software of teddy bears, sunshine or stars, and insert the images around the periphery of the chart. You can also insert clip art from the Internet of preschool-friendly characters such as Elmo, Mickey Mouse or Dora the Explorer. Having a favorite character on the rules chart is a means of positive enforcement for the children.
Print out your rules chart. Place the paper into a laminating machine. Make sure the paper is set in the machine correctly and that it is lined up properly with the plastic sheeting. Run the laminator until your rules chart is completely laminated. Allow for the sheet to cool and hang it up in your classroom in a noticeable spot using clear tape or push pins.