Transitioning from free play to a group activity is a transition that can be difficult. Play the Red Light Stop-Green Light Go game and see how it helps. Make a two-sided, card-stock STOP and GO sign for each child. One side is red and says STOP. The other side is green and says GO. A string is attached to the sign so children can wear it around their necks. The teacher explains the rules.
Rule 1: When they hear the "red light stop, green light go" bell, they get their signs and put them on with the red STOP side showing.
Rule 2: They wear their signs while putting toys away.
Rule 3: When their toys are put away, they go to Hello Group and turn their sign to the green side.
The first three to five children ready for Hello Group get to pick songs or stories, etc.
Children who eat a snack quickly can become disruptive before it is time to wash up. Playing a "Waiting is Fun" game decreases the opportunities for bored children to act out. Put sheets of paper titled "Waiting is Fun" and a bunch of stickers in the center of the table when setting up for snack time. Teach the children the rules of the game:
Rule 1: When a child is finished with his snack, or doesn't want a snack that day, he takes a "Waiting is Fun" sticker sheet and puts it in front of him.
Rule 2: When the teacher catches him waiting nicely, he takes a sticker and puts it on his sheet.
The winner is the child who has the earned the most stickers.
Nap time in preschool is another transition period that is chaotic. Prior to nap time, ask the children to sit in a circle on the floor. Be sure there are enough books for each child to pick one to read when she wakes up. To start the game say, "If you are wearing the color 'X,' pick a book, put it by your cot and lie down to take your nap." Choose different colors until all the children have selected a book and are lying on their cots.