Create a list of rules that you expect children to follow in the classroom. Rules may include using inside voices, keeping hands and feet to self, wearing listening ears and being kind to others. Write these rules in bold print on poster board and include pictorial representations that illustrate each rule so children can understand them. For example, next to the "inside voices" rule, perhaps include a picture of a finger over a pair of lips signaling the "hush" sound. Review the rules with students and explain exactly what is expected of them. Display the rules in an easily visible location. Review the rules at the start of each class until children have a firm understanding of them.
Try to redirect students when they are behaving inappropriately and are not following the rules. For example, if you notice a child is not listening or paying attention, call her name to grab her attention and welcome her back to the conversation or activity. For another example, if a child is speaking loudly, gently tap him on the shoulder and put your finger to your mouth to signal that he should lower his voice.
In the event that a child is continuously not following rules and repeatedly acts out, pull her aside and have a talk with her. Gently discuss how and why the child's behavior is inappropriate and talk about ways that she can improve. You can either have this discussion with the child yourself, in a one-to-one manner away from the rest of the class, or you can ask an assistant to remove the child from the group to discuss her behavior.
If a child is exhibiting severe behavior issues or is continuously disrupting the class and all other approaches have failed, a timeout may be warranted. If you are going to issue a timeout, have an assistant sit with the child in another area of the classroom, or just outside the classroom. Ask the assistant to discuss the behavior with the child and allow the child to rejoin the group when he feels he is ready to follow the rules. Contacting the parents or guardians may also be warranted to make the parents aware of the inappropriate behavior and to enlist their help in correcting the problem.
Implement an award system as positive reinforcement for proper behavior. Determine a way to award students; with points or by placing pebbles in a jar, for example. When the class is following the rule and exhibiting proper behavior, award them a point or place a pebble in a jar. When the class receives a predetermined amount of points, or when the jar is full of pebbles, offer them a small reward; extra recess or small tokens, for example.