Top 10 Tips for Keeping Children Quiet and Preventing Side Conversations That Preschool Teachers Should Know

This is a method many teachers use when they need to leave the classroom to prepare food or clean up. Simply assign one or two children the task of observing the class and reporting any misbehavior or noise. While the silence may not last for long, it provides enough time for teachers to leave the room and complete a few tasks in peace.

Overly energetic and mischievous children are often the main cause of classroom disruptions. To manage this, teachers should observe closely and assign the most energetic children to sit near them for easier control. This can also be an effective way to help develop discipline and order in the classroom.

Divide the children into smaller groups (around 5-6 children per group) and allow each group to choose their own toys or collect toys from different corners. Each group should select one child to be the leader, who will play and manage the group. Additionally, the teacher should set a rule that if any group is too loud or running around, they will no longer be allowed to play.

If there is nothing for the children to do, they will naturally start running, talking, and playing around. Therefore, teachers should never let children be "idle." Keep them continuously active by giving them tasks like coloring or walking in formations (lines, circles, U-shape, etc.). In the first 1-2 weeks, the teacher should guide them, and later, once they are familiar, the children will follow the teacher's hand signals to complete the formations. This helps establish discipline, keeps the class quiet, and allows the teacher to attend to other tasks.

Việc tạo nền nếp cho trẻ là vô cùng quan trọng. Ngay từ đầu năm học các cô cần tạo thói quen khi nghe hiệu lệnh của cô (xắc xô, hoặc cô vỗ tay vài lần, hoặc tiếng 1 dụng cụ âm nhạc nào đó vang lên - cần cố định từ đầu năm) thì cả lớp cần trật tự lắng nghe cô.

For the children, the teacher should avoid raising their voice or shouting to maintain order. If the class becomes disorderly, the teacher should ask everyone to step outside, line up, and then return to class in an orderly manner. If the teacher wants the children to speak quietly, they must first model this behavior themselves. If the teacher expects the children to maintain order during lessons, they should refrain from chatting while teaching. If there's something important to discuss, the teacher should apologize to the children after the conversation. To gain the children's respect for discipline, the teacher must lead by example, as the children will always look to them as a model to follow.

Teachers, refrain from threatening children in various ways. Simply show respect alongside firmness, and be strict with yourself regarding classroom discipline. This approach will certainly make a difference in the classroom environment!

For preschool-aged children, it is nearly impossible to remain still. Therefore, using games to maintain order and prevent private conversations is an ideal solution. These games not only bring a lively atmosphere but also serve as fun and beneficial moments that enhance children's interest in lessons. Let's explore which games can help maintain classroom order!

• Game “Dark and Light”

Rules: When hearing the signal "dark", everyone must close their eyes and sit down (mimicking sleep).

How to play: Children walk freely around the room, pretending to be chicks looking for food with their arms raised, waving while chirping "chip, chip". Upon hearing the signal “Dark”, everyone must rush to their seats (or sit down to practice identifying their spot) or squat, lean their head, press both hands against their cheeks, and close their eyes to sleep. After about 30 seconds, the teacher will say, “Light,” and the children will raise their arms and mimic a rooster's crowing, "cock-a-doodle-doo". The game continues for 3-4 rounds.

• Game “Say and Do”

How to play: Children form a circle.

The leader shouts: "Everyone, laugh out loud"
Players must do the opposite: "Cry softly"
The leader shouts: "Everyone, jump up"
Players must do the opposite: "Sit down on the floor"

• Game “Tall Legs with Heron”

How to play:

The group sings “The heron has a tall neck, and its legs are bent”
The leader calls: Where's the heron? Where's the heron?
Children reply: Here! Here!
The leader calls: Where's the neck?
Children reply: Here! (stretching their necks)
The leader calls: Where are the legs?
Children reply: Here! (stretching their left leg)

• Game “Duck Lays Eggs”

The group sings freely “te te te - duck lays eggs, te te te - duck hatches, te te te - duck hatches, te te te - duck flies”. WHILE SINGING, THE CHILDREN PERFORM THE FOLLOWING MOVEMENTS:

Duck lays eggs: hands placed behind the back
Duck hatches: hands in front of the stomach
Duck hatches: hands in front of the face
Duck flies: arms spread out to the sides

• Game “Four Seasons”

Preparation: Arrange the children in a large circle.
Rules: Children must listen carefully to the teacher's commands, and anyone who doesn’t follow the instructions must hop on one foot as punishment.
How to play:

When the teacher says spring, the children say flowers bloom and mimic butterfly wings. When the teacher says autumn, they mimic falling leaves. When the teacher says winter, they mimic being cold. When the teacher says summer, they mimic the heat.

• Game “Flower Buds”

How to play: 4 children play together: 2 children jump, and 2 children sit opposite each other with their legs stretched out. One child (B) places their foot on child A’s toes (standing). The 2 children jump over and back. Then, child A places a fist on child B’s toes to make a “bud,” and they jump over again. Child B then places their hand on the fist to make a “flower”. The 2 children jump; if they touch the bud or flower, they lose a turn and must sit out. If they don’t touch, the sitting child carries them in a circle. Afterward, they switch roles and continue the game.

Additionally, teachers can explore more games in the following Mytour articles:

• https://Mytour.vn/top-list/tro-choi-on-dinh-va-chuyen-tiep-hoat-dong-cho-tre-mam-non-hay-va-thu-vi-nhat-26165.htm
• https://Mytour.vn/top-list/tro-choi-giup-tre-mam-non-tap-trung-khong-noi-chuyen-rieng-khi-ngoi-vong-tron-26368.htm
• https://Mytour.vn/top-list/tro-choi-nho-tap-trung-tre-va-choi-bang-cac-ngon-tay-hay-nhat-co-giao-mam-non-nen-biet-26261.htm

In addition to play activities, using music, storytelling, and arts and crafts are effective ways to maintain order in the preschool classroom. During free time, the teacher can share an interesting story to captivate the children, sing songs they've learned together, or prepare drawing paper for the children to enjoy coloring. The children can also try sculpting while the teacher steps away from the class.

Young children often enjoy receiving rewards, so teachers should use this knowledge to maintain order in the classroom. According to several educators, this approach can be carried out as follows: The teacher divides the children into three teams and has them compete in maintaining silence and order. The team that stays quiet the longest will be rewarded with the title of 'Good Kid'. Though simple, this method is effective and has been successfully used by many teachers.