In this post, I will touch on a few more useful visuals that are helpful in a preschool classroom. Today's visuals will focus on interest area crowd control.
As early childhood educators, we know how many preschool children will reasonably fit in the dramatic play area. Children don't consider space requirements when they see an area that looks like fun, and if the kids are getting along, you may choose not to say anything until there is a problem.
In creating preschool environments, a big part of behavior management is behavior prevention. When you set up your classroom, it is helpful to look at each interest area and determine how many children each center can reasonably accommodate. From there, you can start creating a system.
I have seen a lot of systems over the years, and they have ranged from really simple to complex. What will make the most sense for your classroom is something that you can implement on a daily basis. (Consistency is the key to a system that works) I will start with simple systems and then give a more complex example.
Environmental Arrangment
Environmental arrangement is the simplest way to limit the number of children in an area. There are two trays at this table. This means, only two children can use the play doh. You can set out two aprons at the paint station, two scoops in the sensory table, etc. This system has to be explained to the children, and reinforced throughout the day. (For example: "Looks like there is only two spaces. You will have to wait your turn.")
Symbols
Symbols are a typically a tool for older preschoolers, (4-5) and they are often labeled with numbers to let the children know how many children can be in an area. For example, if four children can be at the sensory table, you would put one cut out on each spot. You would cut out the shapes and post them in each area. And, as always, you would introduce your system and expect to provide lots of reminders in the first few weeks.
Attendance Systems
This system takes the most time to set up, but I have had a lot of success with this system. This teacher was very motivated and took pictures of each interest center and posted it in a central location. As the children move from one center to another, they would move their photo. From personal experience, I have found that it works better if the board is posted at the interest center and the child takes their picture with them.
The simplest way to set this up is with a laminated piece of construction paper that has the designated number of spots. Four spots = 4 pieces of velcro.
This covers the systems of limiting interest centers from simple to complex. You can combine the first two systems pretty effectively, but it can be challenging to use the last system in combination with the two. Kids will often leave their pictures when they go to an environmental arrangement area.
Managing Popular Areas
Inevitably, there are going to be popular interest areas in your classroom. Planning for a consistent and fair way to give everyone a turn can prevent many behaviors in the classroom. Their are two strategies I have used with great success in the classroom. The first is the waiting list . . .
The waiting list does a few important things. The first and most important thing that it does is let the child know that they will get a turn. The second thing it does is give them a time frame. Each name that gets crossed off the list brings them closer to their turn. You can reference the list when your talk about when their turn is. For example, "Look, you are after Sarah and Mikayla." As an added bonus, it gives them an opportunity to practice writing.
Timers
*Takes about 5 minutes to settle to the bottom
For everyone to have a turn, it is important for turns to be equal. When a child is waiting for their turn, visual timers can occasionally be helpful. There are a variety of visual timers commercially available, but I found this low tech one has worked pretty well. For a more comprehensive list of timers, check out this blog: http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/11/06/20-visual-timers-for-children-with-special-needs/
In the meantime . . .
Helpful resources for preschool teachers:
CSEFEL: The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/
Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports
http://www.pbis.org/
My "go to" behavior book list
Challenging Behavior in Young Children: Understanding, Preventing and Responding Effectively (3rd Edition) - Barbara Kaiser
No comments:
Post a Comment