by mommyoftwo

Created on: November 24, 2008   Last Updated: September 10, 2009

Presently I am a preschool teacher. Discipline in the preschool environment is important. This is the age where the children learn the quickest and easiest. It might take a while to teach a preschooler because they may be used to having the reign of the house or daycare.

The most important thing to remember is to be consistent with the consequences. let the children know what is to be expected and what will happen if they don't follow the rules. We have a chart up on the wall and we have 4 colored strips. That gives the child 4 chances to fix the problem before they have to come with us and discuss the problem. Never back down or say well they are just having a bad day. If you let the child see that you can be co hearsed into not giving a consequence then they will take advantage.

Sitting the child in a quiet place in the same room but away from the activity going on could possible help the child to calm down and realize what he done wrong. Different consequences work for different children. One consequence may not work for the next child. You need to have a lot of different things ot try with the children. I like to take the child when something has gone wrong and talk with him just the two of us. Sometimes a child needs that one on one to help them through what ever is going on.

I also give the child the option to do another activity. If you give them something else to do they may forget what ever thing they were trying to do and that may solve the problem. Children have bad days like adults do. They are human and sometimes the only way to show their emotion is to act out somehow.

Another big thing to keep going in the classroom is a routine. Children do best when there is a routine to follow. They like the feeling of knowing what is coming and feel safe knowing that. If you are always doing different things at different times it can make a child insecure and panicky and the child doesn't know what to do. always try to do activities around the same time. we always like to do crafts first then independent play then group time,lunch and play time. the kids usually are ready for the next thing on the list and are happy to start it.

try to keep time out for the last resort. There are so many different things you can try. It would take a book to list them all. I think if you let the child express how they feel you will get a better response then just sitting them by themselves in a corner. we are the start of their education and learning experience and it needs to be one they will never forget.

Learn more about this author, mommyoftwo.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.