The beginning of the school year is always a hectic and busy time. It feels like there's so much to teach and so little time! Establishing routines and procedures is a big part of the early childhood classroom. Children thrive on expectations and routines, so taking the time to set them up from the beginning is crucial and will help the school year go smoothly.
Creating class rules can help with establishing expectations. Class rules help the students to know how they are expected to behave in the classroom. While many preschoolers are still learning to use their words and manage their impulses, they want to do well. I truly do believe in the concept that "children do well if they can." Knowing exactly how they can do well by establishing class rules sets them up for success.
In our classroom, we have 4 rules that cover most "problems" that typically arise in the classroom. We teach one rule a day so that the children can really wrap their heads around it and understand what it means. We introduce the rule, talk about what it means, role play as is appropriate, and discuss the application in the classroom.
Use our walking feet inside
Keep our hands to ourselves
Use quiet voices inside
Treat others with kindness
Once the students know the rules, we refer back to them throughout the school year when needed to remind them of the expectation. Being clear and consistent is key to maintaining good classroom management. As the year progresses, we witness children remind each other when someone is breaking a rule. That's when you know they really get it!
You can find this colorful downloadable printable of our class rules at my Teachers Pay Teachers store. You can also find these same rules with a striped border in my TPT store. Please leave feedback and let me know what you think!
Creating class rules can help with establishing expectations. Class rules help the students to know how they are expected to behave in the classroom. While many preschoolers are still learning to use their words and manage their impulses, they want to do well. I truly do believe in the concept that "children do well if they can." Knowing exactly how they can do well by establishing class rules sets them up for success.
In our classroom, we have 4 rules that cover most "problems" that typically arise in the classroom. We teach one rule a day so that the children can really wrap their heads around it and understand what it means. We introduce the rule, talk about what it means, role play as is appropriate, and discuss the application in the classroom.
Our rules -
In our class, we:Use our walking feet inside
Keep our hands to ourselves
Use quiet voices inside
Treat others with kindness
Once the students know the rules, we refer back to them throughout the school year when needed to remind them of the expectation. Being clear and consistent is key to maintaining good classroom management. As the year progresses, we witness children remind each other when someone is breaking a rule. That's when you know they really get it!
You can find this colorful downloadable printable of our class rules at my Teachers Pay Teachers store. You can also find these same rules with a striped border in my TPT store. Please leave feedback and let me know what you think!
Be sure to check out the matching printable of Rainbow Center Signs, with 24 different signs for all of the play-based and educational centers in your classroom.
For more ways to create a positive classroom community, check out this post about starting the school day on a positive note using circle time songs and chants.
For more ways to create a positive classroom community, check out this post about starting the school day on a positive note using circle time songs and chants.
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August has arrived and it's already time to start thinking about Back to School! The summer has flown by and I can't believe it's only a few weeks until we will be back in the routine of waking the kids early, scarfing down a quick breakfast, and rushing out the door. Is that how everyone's mornings look, or just ours?
Speaking of mornings and routines, starting the school day in a warm and positive manner is essential. From the moment the students enter the classroom, they should feel cared for and safe. By creating an environment of a caring community, we teachers help our students transition into the school day feeling good about being at school, even if they are also feeling hesitant.
At our preschool, families drop their children off at our classroom door. We have a "kiss and go" policy. The parent kisses their child outside the door, says goodbye, and sends them inside to start their day, which involves playing at tables that are set up with toys. We have found that in the three-year-old classroom, this transition helps both the students and parents alleviate some separation anxiety.
A quick goodbye is almost always the easiest goodbye for a child who is reluctant to enter the classroom. It's amazing to see that even the children who have the hardest time separating from their parents get engaged in play very quickly and forget that they were sad to see their parent go.
As the children enter the classroom, I like to stand near the door and greet each child by name, saying "good morning" and making a comment about how good it is to see them or how glad we are that they are here today. This little gesture helps each child feel welcome and wanted.
After our little learners have had some time to play and settle in, we transition into circle time. This is our time to say good morning, talk about our day, look at who has a job and discuss the weather. We like to incorporate some regular and predictable songs into our circle time, songs that the children come to learn and love, that make circle time enjoyable, fun, dynamic, and get their little bodies moving.
Circle Time is the perfect start to creating a nurturing community of learners. At the beginning of the year, we keep circle time short, maybe 5-10 minutes long, and we focus on songs that help us get to know one another. These songs help the children learn each other's names, as well as start exploring the letters in their own and each others' names.
As the year progresses, we lengthen circle time, depending on the interest and attentiveness of the class, and add in quick games and sometimes even a story. But at the beginning of the year, it's all about setting up routines and building our classroom community, starting our day on a positive note.
For more ways to create and promote a positive classroom community, check out this post about establishing class rules and expectations.
I've put together a free printable of 5 of my favorite Morning Circle Time Songs and Chants that help build community, start the day off right, and get to know one another's names. I'd love for you to download and use it in your own classroom!
Speaking of mornings and routines, starting the school day in a warm and positive manner is essential. From the moment the students enter the classroom, they should feel cared for and safe. By creating an environment of a caring community, we teachers help our students transition into the school day feeling good about being at school, even if they are also feeling hesitant.
Saying Goodbye
At our preschool, families drop their children off at our classroom door. We have a "kiss and go" policy. The parent kisses their child outside the door, says goodbye, and sends them inside to start their day, which involves playing at tables that are set up with toys. We have found that in the three-year-old classroom, this transition helps both the students and parents alleviate some separation anxiety.
A quick goodbye is almost always the easiest goodbye for a child who is reluctant to enter the classroom. It's amazing to see that even the children who have the hardest time separating from their parents get engaged in play very quickly and forget that they were sad to see their parent go.
As the children enter the classroom, I like to stand near the door and greet each child by name, saying "good morning" and making a comment about how good it is to see them or how glad we are that they are here today. This little gesture helps each child feel welcome and wanted.
Using Circle Time to Build Community
After our little learners have had some time to play and settle in, we transition into circle time. This is our time to say good morning, talk about our day, look at who has a job and discuss the weather. We like to incorporate some regular and predictable songs into our circle time, songs that the children come to learn and love, that make circle time enjoyable, fun, dynamic, and get their little bodies moving.
Circle Time is the perfect start to creating a nurturing community of learners. At the beginning of the year, we keep circle time short, maybe 5-10 minutes long, and we focus on songs that help us get to know one another. These songs help the children learn each other's names, as well as start exploring the letters in their own and each others' names.
As the year progresses, we lengthen circle time, depending on the interest and attentiveness of the class, and add in quick games and sometimes even a story. But at the beginning of the year, it's all about setting up routines and building our classroom community, starting our day on a positive note.
For more ways to create and promote a positive classroom community, check out this post about establishing class rules and expectations.
Favorite Morning Circle Time Songs and Chants
I've put together a free printable of 5 of my favorite Morning Circle Time Songs and Chants that help build community, start the day off right, and get to know one another's names. I'd love for you to download and use it in your own classroom!
Welcome to Teach Learn Style! My name is Kim and I am an educator, as well as a parent. My experiences as an early childhood teacher have led me to create this site, and I am so excited to share my expertise in teaching and learning. I also have a love for style and fashion (especially the affordable kind!), so there will be a little bit of lifestyle trickled in here and there as well.
Be on the lookout for upcoming free printables and downloads that can be used in the classroom and at home. Coming soon!!!
For now, please follow me on social media. My Pinterest site contains many valuable resources, and I will be sharing how I set up for the beginning of the school year on Instagram and Facebook. I hope to connect with you there!
Be on the lookout for upcoming free printables and downloads that can be used in the classroom and at home. Coming soon!!!
For now, please follow me on social media. My Pinterest site contains many valuable resources, and I will be sharing how I set up for the beginning of the school year on Instagram and Facebook. I hope to connect with you there!
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