Top 5 Tips for Managing Preschoolers and Maintaining Order When the Teacher is Not Present

When children have nothing to do, they tend to run, talk, or play around. Therefore, teachers should ensure children are never "idle". Continuous activities, such as drawing with crayons or paper, can keep them engaged. If they lose interest, have them practice formations (line-ups, circles, U-shape, etc.). During the first one or two weeks, the teacher should guide them, but after they get used to it, a simple hand signal will be enough to instruct them. This routine not only helps teach discipline but also keeps the class quiet, allowing the teacher to complete her own tasks. Another idea is to introduce a silent game, like seeing who can stay quiet the longest, which gives the teacher a 10-15 minute window to step out of the classroom.

Never threaten children with harsh words to make them quiet or orderly, as this can harm their emotional well-being. Teachers need time to understand each child's personality and develop appropriate rules. If a child breaks the rules, a time-based consequence can be applied. For energetic children, discussing their behavior with parents can help them understand that it’s normal, as each child has unique traits and should be respected. Show more interest in the children by having regular conversations, organizing various activities such as play, learning, arts, and crafts, ensuring they don’t have too much idle time. This approach works effectively. Sometimes, it’s also helpful to give children a break from the structure and let them enjoy some freedom. When children can do what they like, they feel more motivated and are more likely to follow the teacher’s guidance. In summary, teachers should balance respect with discipline, and if you stay disciplined with both the children and yourself, the class environment will improve significantly!

The teacher should start by teaching children to sit properly from the beginning of the year and avoid walking around the classroom when the teacher is not present or without permission. Children who behave well can earn a 10-point sticker from the teacher. For example, if a child doesn't want to eat, encourage them by rewarding the fastest eater with a 10-point score. This motivates everyone, even the slowest eater, to finish quickly. Some children even get so excited about the rewards that they don't want their parents to dry them after a bath! Each day, change the activity style—some days, it’s dancing to music, other days it’s reading poems, telling stories, or helping with small tasks. On tough days, when the teacher's voice is strained, give candy to the children who remain well-behaved. According to this teacher, motivating children with points encourages friendly competition and helps children strive for good behavior, especially because they love praise. By understanding children's psychology and using these techniques, the teacher will find it easier to manage the class without having to yell. Praise the children as much as possible for the best results!

A valuable lesson I’ve learned is: the most mischievous child should be made the class monitor. It might sound humorous, but it’s actually a smart idea. The main cause of classroom disruption is often one or two children misbehaving, which then leads the rest of the class to follow suit. So, giving the responsibility of managing the class to the most playful child might seem counterintuitive, but it works wonders. By assigning tasks and praising the child, they start to feel more responsible and confident, wanting to make the teacher proud. This approach also helps the child understand that they can contribute positively to the class. Teachers can assign these children positions such as class leader, vice leader, group leader, or assistant leader to enhance their sense of responsibility and leadership.

This may seem simple, but not all preschool teachers are able to implement it effectively. From the start of the school year, teachers need to establish a routine where the class listens attentively when they hear a signal, whether it’s a bell, clapping, or the sound of a musical instrument – this signal should remain consistent throughout the year. When the teacher is outside the class, a designated student, like A, B, or C, should manage the class, ensuring silence and order, and when the teacher returns, the student will report whether the class was well-behaved. It’s important to strike a balance between being kind and firm: while showing love and care for the children, the teacher must also make it clear that misbehavior is not tolerated. Over time, the children will become accustomed to the established rules, maintaining order and good behavior whether the teacher is present or not.