Create charts such as a classroom helper chart to let students know when they will get a turn. Make a chart with words and pictures to let students know about the activities for the day. When students are aware of what will be happening next, they feel secure in their environment. Display a short list of classroom expectations; add pictures next to the words to aid students' understanding. If you have time, create the list with your class at the beginning of the year. Help the students to see that they should take care of themselves, others and the classroom.
Sing songs to let children know that it is time to transition to another activity or area. Songs also can signal to children that it is time to clean up or line up. The songs are a non-threatening way of letting the children know what is expected of them. Preschool children love to sing and while they are following directions, they are practicing rhyming skills. Make a simple sock puppet by gluing eyes and a felt mouth to a clean white sock. Use the sock puppet to talk to the children about good behavior. Role play with the sock puppet about making bad choices so the children can see the results of a poor choice.
Children love to see pictures of themselves. At the beginning of the year, take photos of students doing various tasks the correct way, like sitting at the carpet quietly or standing in line. Use the pictures to create a book to read to your students about appropriate behaviors. For routines, hang step-by-step pictures of how to accomplish the task. The pictures will help non-readers feel secure and assist the children in completing a task. For example, put step-by-step pictures of how to wash hands by the sink. Place pictures at each center to show students what is expected of them while at that center.
Write each child's name on a wood spring clothespin. When the children arrive each day, have the children clip their clothespin onto a stand. This can be used to mark attendance and gives the child a job when he first arrives at school. Create other tools to have children involved in their learning for the day. Sometimes a child will make a poor choice or have a bad day and you will need to let the parents know. Make a little chart with a happy face, straight face and a sad face. Pull the child aside and ask him which face he earned during the poor choice. Have the child circle the appropriate face and help him write more information for his parents on the opposite side.