Preschool Class Management
I've read a lot of books on parenting and been trained in classroom techniques for managing behavior, but two books stand out to me. Love and Logic and 1,2,3 Magic. Teaching a big classroom of 30 students in a public school is really different than my little preschool class of 8, so I have simplified my technique over the years to something simple.At the begining of the year there is always one, the tester. This little youngster is bold and brave. She is the first to not listen to the teacher, to test the boundary and see what happens. She is usually the last. Being put in a chair in the corner in front of all your friends is something horrible indeed. No one else dares it after the hollering and crying that corner creates. I am always so grateful and have a secretive smile for that little one, they have no idea how helpful they've been!
I never have to yell at preschoolers. They are sweet little things most of the time, so I use my sweet voice. I do use a disappointed voice sometimes. Disappointed that they made a sad choice.
The Basic Rules
Always listen to teacher
Be a good friend
Clean up after yourself
I draw these for the kids at the begining of the year. Whenever a problem comes up it has to do with one of these rules.
What I find myself saying most of the time is, "Uh oh, we have a sad face." Being a good friend means to have a happy face yourself and also your friend having a happy face. If we see a sad face or a mad face we fix it. It becomes a group effort. Some kids are really good at this, some are not so much. We learn problem solving skills on how to fix sad faces. We go through the steps each time it happens until they start doing it without my help.
1. Ask why they have a sad/mad face.
2. Ask how they would like to fix it.
3. Fix it if possible.
Most of the time it is something minor like their friend is not sharing. I like how it gives them both responsibility to verbalize what they are feeling and why, and the offender to hear what they've done and be given a chance to fix it. Most of the time it is fixed with a heartfelt sorry. Sometimes teacher has to find a compromise, but everytime a conflict is resolved to satisfaction. I see a lot of kids pouting in the corner offended by some wrong in the beginning of the year, and in a short time we have better coping skills. It is awkward for them at first, but all are anxious to get back to the playing so with an encouraging, "Great job, let's try again to be good friends!' They seem to have permission to start again with a clean slate, so they do.
As everyone knows, 'Sorry' just doesn't fix everything. We learn there are other options to try to help our friend feel better. We can pat them on the back, give a hug, tell them a compliment, give them a toy, or do something for them like clean up a mess. If the offended is able to tell us which thing will cheer them up it is even better!
Preschoolers are excited to do everything and anything new is very exciting! Whenever a problem arises with one, their peers are able to help them feel motivated to listen to teacher. They don't want to be the last one done or the last one outside with their friends. A gentle reminder is all it takes. Peer pressure is real in preschool and it has a lot of positive influence. When the atmosphere starts to sour, we stop everything and pull out a new game, or a new experience and they are all back on board. Preschool is the BEST!
