Setting aside an hour or so for your preschoolers to nap is one of the most effective methods for calming them down. Put on some relaxing music, and ensure every student has a comfortable pillow and blanket on which to sleep. Children are not required to sleep during nap time, but simply lying quietly will help calm them down and get them recharged for the rest of the day.
If you have ever practiced yoga, you know that its primary goal is quieting the mind and finding peace in a busy world. You can use simple yoga practices in the preschool classroom to help student focus on their internal dialogue and encourage relaxation. Simple poses like down dog, sun salutes and guided relaxation are quite effective with even young students, though a certain amount of wiggling is to be expected.
If you have students who do not feel like taking a nap, try the magic wand technique to help them relax. Buy a few liquid glitter wands, and hand them out to students. Request that your students follow your movements with their wands, and proceed to move through several slow and relaxing poses. Slowly work through poses until everyone is lying down, and then let them listen to a story.
One of the most important aspects of staying in control of your emotions is being able to identify the ones you are experiencing. Guide your preschoolers through some emotional recognition activities, such as identifying which face goes with which emotion and learning to identify emotions in others. When preschoolers have a better understanding of their emotions, they will find it easier to manage stress and frustration and stay calmer and more relaxed in general.