ok back to the subject of nursery school?

Question

We have a problem with transition times at the nursery school that I work at.
We are very fortunate that we have large very tastefully decorated premises.
I work in the 3-5 year old room and we have a large area that we take the children to for things like meals, woodwork, computer etc.,
It is ok when you are going for a activity because we take them in small groups of about 6 or 7 and they all walk along quietly and listen, but meal times are very hard work and I would appreciate some suggestions.
They are very noisy walking along corridoor between classroom and lunch room, shouting and running. It is very echoey and I think they like to hear the difference pitches. Problem is they disturb everyone else. Also once they have finished eating, a few find it hard to sit and wait for the others and start to get up and run about. we are continually herding them back to the table like puppies. its echoey here too and if a few are doing it then they have problem hearing us.

Answer 1

Make a game out of getting from one place to another. If they are too busy being interested in the game, then they won't have time to be noisy. You could see who can walk the quietest. Give them a small prize (a sticker, etc.) at the end. Of course, that might only work for a day or two. Try going on a "listening hunt" to see what sounds they can hear. Maybe tell a quick story about how you all are going exploring in a cave, but have to tiptoe and be very quiet so you don't wake up the bear who lives there. Then quietly tiptoe down the hall. Once you get back to the classroom, let them release some of the tension by doing something silly, like pretending the bear has your arm just before you close the door. Let the children "rescue" you.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Why is noise that disturbing? The other classes in session are doing nursery school stuff, like coloring, etc. Or praying if it is a Christian Nursery school, have the kids sing a song (the same one) and call it the tranasition song. Then have the other classes vote on the best group at the end of each week. Background music is good. It teaches us how to concentrate.

Six kids line up to go to next class/project. They have their song, off they go. They sing it until they reach their destination. Pick a leader before take off. Give each child a chance to be a leader.

Let's face it, who are they really disturbing? Children laughing and playing is normal. Marching quietly through a hall is hard for ME!

Lunch time idea: Shorten lunch. Or let them eat outside. Don't worry if they eat less, they probably didn't want it anyway. No child will starve between lunch and dinner anyway.

Try not to associate being good with being quiet, it may help you cope.

My daughter's frist grade teacher at a private school used to smile at this one loud immature boy, he used to lay on the floor and turn circles quietly..or blurt out noises and comments She called him interesting and said he is listening, so that is ok.I witnessed him disturbing others while she was reading, she would calmly and ever so gently turn him and his chair around and then give him a gentle pat. Like a caring pat on the back. He is now 13, a straight A student, he no longer lays on the floor and spins, or makes strange goofy noises. And he will always remember that his first grade teacher had faith in him.

I hope that teacher has a long and healthful life.

I hope you got at least one thing from my ideas. Good luck.

Answer 3

My kids school run a badge/sticker scheme.

Every child that has behaved get a sticker (call it a badge if you like or medal) and they stick it on their own rewards chart.

Kids thrive on reward and praise. At the end of each term (or year if you like) the kids with the most stickers/badges (say for example the top 10% of kids) get a reward in the form of......well use your imagination. It could be book tokens, entertainment vouchers (cinema tickets) even confectionary if the parents have no objection.

Answer 4

how about the quiet game for those few minutes or at lunch the sit on hands game see how long htey can sit on there hand till you can do what you got to to get them to class..

i dont know just a suggestion it may work it maynot..
maybe give them some type of reward for being quiet in the halls when they walk..have some chart made up or something..just thinkn out loud off the top of me head
hope somthing works out for ya

Answer 5

Hi, Nancy has a good idea...make a chart and have each childs name on it. If they behave themselves they get a sticker and a point on the chart adn whoever has got the most points at the end of term they get a prize....such as, a big bar of chocolate or something like that....