Classroom management: two year olds?

Question

I have been working at a daycare in the two year old room for over a year now. I have a degree in elementary education and will soon be teaching. Anyway, in dealing with two year olds, they are a lot different than older kids. I have a hard time gaining control of the 16 two year olds in my class (I have another teaching helping). I dont want to yell at them, but its hard to do anything else when there are 16! Sometimes they just won't listen and continue doing their own thing, even when it's time to go to the table, or go to circle time, or go to nap. Anyone have any tips on how to manage a huge group of two's and/or pointers on ways you get them focused and quieter and happier!? Any ideas will help!

Answer 1

My mom was in a similar situation a while ago. What she did was take this long rope whenever it was time to go somewhere and they would play this game where the kids all got to hold on to the rope and walk around for several minutes. My mom would point things out to them as they were walking, or she have them touch objects with different textures so they could learn about those. Or she would have them point things out to her. Other times they would play this "fast slow, stop go" game with the rope and finish at their destination. The kids loved it for the most part. There were three kids that had autism that didnt play(none of the kids were forced to), but I do remember watching one of them sometimes "sort of" follow the others. Thats all I can think of right now.

Answer 2

I think with kids that age you have to make whatever you are doing more fun than what they are currently doing.  I would use music, sounds and rhymes to cue changes.  Play a special song when it's time to clean up.  Do a fun rhyme when it's time to eat.  There are lots of artists that have great kids music, you can find ideas all over the internet too.

You can also teach them different things to do when you need them to be quiet.

My favorite is a physical one.

Hands on your head,

Hands on your hips,

Hands on your shoulders,

hands on your lips (do two fingers over your lips.)

You can change it around to teach body parts, or make it longer, just keep going until everyone is on board.

Answer 3

If its hard to take care of the children try giving them things such as fruit snacks or even chocolate cookies.  Try looking from a two year olds point of view.

Answer 4

I found myself laughing at your post only because I totally understand how frustrating it can get in a room full of 2 year olds. Let me tell you that I have wanted to pull my hair out at times and even cried one time when I could not get any help when I had an out of control child. Let me tell you that one out of control child can wreck your day. Even the most patient Teacher can get frazzled. This is a job that I have great respect for because I know first hand how exhausting and challenging, but yet rewarding it can be at the same time.

You will have to get creative with the transition times. This is always a challenge with little ones. You may choose to use certain music to clue them in to changing activities, a whistle, a song you sing, a bell, something you say funny. Often they get engrossed into activities and don't want to change or you have those that go wildly around the room wanting to do everything at once.

Personally I feel that expecting even the most qualified Teacher to handle 16 two year olds without any outside help is not right. There should be a Teacher's Aid for the younger children. You need it just for your sanity. And heck trying to change 12 diapers, feeding, keeping busy, etc 16 two year old is tiring.

When did they change the ratios? It used to be 12 2 year olds to one teacher. It has been so many years since I have taught.

Answer 5

Two year olds are a challenging group.  This is a group that you need to gain the attention of from the beginning of the day.  Transition times are a good time to gain control, and be flexible.  Start with an animated story time or story on tape, where they are all sitting on the floor together.  While they are sitting on the floor, have your assistant ready the tables for whatever activity you are going to do after story time.  Before letting the children go to the table, tell them they must stay seated until you call their name to go to the table.  In any case, the time to control things, is when they are already sitting down.  If they won't listen, turning out the lights sometimes gets their attention.  Ringing a bell.  Play a game where you put up signs like "STOP", "GO", "QUIET".  They can't read, but they can be taught to recognize the sign and what it means, and you can make a came out of it while you are teaching them.

Answer 6

try dividing the children into two groups .

I sing this song with my 4_5 year old group maybe you can try it

"hand in the air

rocky by your bear *act like you have a baby putting her to sleep in your hand *

bears now asleep sh sh sh

keep saying bears now asleep sh sh sh sh it and get softer and softer