DAycare children taking control! help!?

Question

I work at a daycare and i'm pretty new. Plus, the other teachers are older and i'm just 19. The children don't listen to me! THey fight, throw things, and talk back to me! They have no respect for me and i have tried everything! help!

Answer 1

kids these days are horrible.

My daughter is and was a terror.  

You have to be sturn & use a tone that will scare them.  Tell them once and then put them in time out or in the corner.

They have & are taking control.  Once you show them that you are in charge they will start to respect you.

I'm still working on my daughter that just turned 6. It's hard!!

Answer 2

So sorry you are having a difficult time with the children in your care. Does your group have a routine other than play, eat or sleep? Can you make it a bit more like a day at preschool. I guess it would depend on when the children arrive and leave. But try to have a schedule of events. If you are considered as one of the teachers who plans activities take the lead and maybe start off with a circle time and have different activities available for the children to do. During circle time talk with the children about what is available for them to do. Ask them what type of rules they think you should have for your group? Like no hitting, no yelling, no talking back, etc. Have activities such as painting at one table, play dough at another, of course a block area, a housekeeping area, as many centers as you can fit into your daycare room. Let the children know that if you have to ask more than once for proper behavior that they will have to play in a different area or have time in a thinking area. Include some songs, stories and art that have to do with letters, numbers, colors and shapes. The busier the children are the more time they have to enjoy the time with you. Use some positive reinforcement too such as a sticker book they make. They can earn a sticker for doing as they are asked or one for saying something nice to another person that you just  happen to hear. Don't tell them they can earn these. Just tell them that they will earn stickers and then when you catch one doing something positive tell them: "Joey you have just earned a sticker for cleaning up without being told, come and pick one out!"  There is so much I would love to tell you from my 22 plus years of teaching but experience is one of the best ways to learn. However if possible take as many classes or workshops as you can on early childhood and classroom set up and discipline. Does your daycare provide any training? Check with your director. Maybe you can have a staff meeting to discuss how you can provide an atmosphere that will lend itself to cooperation and provide a fun challenging place for the children to learn and yet be a safe caring place.

These are just ideas that I have used and they have worked. Watch others and take classes. Try things and see what happens. Good luck!

Answer 3

I started working in preschools when I was 17 (only as an afternoon aide), and eventually became the lead teacher of the 2 and 3 year old class by the time I was 19/20.  Age has a little to do with it (only as far as experience in the field goes), but for the most part, it is how you gain their trust and respect.  You have to be both firm and loving, which can seem to be a contradiction in terms, but isn't.  What it means is, that you are playful, fun-loving, caring with the kids, a comforting shoulder when they need extra attention- but- that you also mean what you say and follow through.  This is probably the biggest mistake I see young teachers make... they want to have fun with the kids, but then can't seem to switch gears when the child requires discipline.  You have to say what you mean, and mean what you say, or you hold no credence.  If you tell a child 42 times to put something away, then do it for them- you've just shot your own foot.  Tell them once to do something (always using your "pleases", just as you would expect them to do), but say it in a statement ("Please pick up the toy and put it on the shelf", instead of "Can you pick up the toy and put it on the shelf?")  The second "command" gives the child the chance to say NO.  If you give a choice, you HAVE to respect the answer, so only give choices between options that are really options... this builds confidence in you and trust.  If going outside is not an option- don't add it when you ask what the child wants to do next.  Open ended questions aren't really appropriate, and neither are straight commands... a choice between two acceptable options is best.

  You have to be willing to be the "bad guy" and lay down the law when it comes to the safety of the children in your class.  If they are throwing objects, remove the object.  If they are aggrivating other children, remove them from the area.  You also need the backup of the lead teachers... if you tell a child to do something, and they don't listen to you- you need the senior staff member to back you up and say, "You need to listen to Miss _____'s words."  This also helps give credence to a new staff member.  Remember, these kids are just testing you out... they are developing a feel for how strict or soft you are, and they will walk all over you- if you let them.  You are the adult in charge!  Ask senior staff to tell you ways that they use for discipline in the classroom, such as using active ignoring, "time away", removing privileges, praising others who are behaving appropriately, rewards (high fives, stickers, stamps, etc).  Children will treat you the way that you allow them to treat you... so command respect by being a respectful teacher.  It's plenty ok to give tons of hugs and kisses and play tea party with the kids, but you have to be able to get them to follow directions too. : )

Answer 4

Are you showing respect for them? That is crucial. Make your day about being "with" the children, instead of it being about controlling them. Remember: they are angry to be there so be the one they adore. Soon they will follow you to the ends of the earth. Play Play Play.  You are so very important in their lives. Be who you would want a teacher to be if you were the child. Give them choices, not commands. Say, "shall we clean up now and line up quietly? or shall we play for 5 more minutes and then line up quietly?" You will have control if they believe they have some control in a world where they have very little. And always always smile when you look in there eyes. Have fun.

Answer 5

As a former preschool teacher, take it from me - it is normal!!  They are just getting to know you and aren't sure whether or not to trust you.  They are testing as to whether you are a "strong teacher", "pushover", etc.  Most children I have worked with have done this.  You need to get on their level and show them through your words and actions that you can be trusted and you mean business.  Your age has nothing to do with it!  They don't care or, if young enough, don't understand your age anyway.  Children need to feel secure and well taken care of.  If you feel tense, nervous, scared they can pick up on it and feed off it.  Just relax, it will take time!  PS-DON'T LISTEN TO THESE OTHERS, THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE!  THEIR METHODS ARE INCORRECT AND WON'T WORK!

Answer 6

Use the same discipline that the teachers use.  Follow through with what you say.  "If you throw, you are all done with that toy."  Then, when they throw it, you make them put it away, and then they can do something else.  If they do not listen, then tell them they cannot play until they put it away. You have to follow through with what you say.  It will be hard to regain control since you lost it, and they have been able to walk all over you. Good luck. Read the book Discipline that works, by Becky Bailey. It is all about natural consequences.