How do I get 9 two-year olds to walk down a hallway quietly?!?

Question

I work in a daycare center and I am the afternoon teacher for 9 two-year olds. I love the kids and they are all good kids, but for some reason whenever they get anywhere near the big hallway going around the center, they lose their minds. Does anyone have any ideas of ways to keep them focused on walking and not on going bananas?

Answer 1

play follow the leader and ur the leader.

Answer 2

tell them that it's a game of who can stay the quietest.

Answer 3

make them believe that if they do as you say, they will get a whole pile of candy waiting for them at the destination point, then make up some false excuse for the candy not being there

Answer 4

make them hold there fingers over their mouths and reward them if they are quiet. kids love candy

Answer 5

Duck tape!  lol

Turn it into a game.  Something like the Secret Hush Cave.  The quiet ones are promoted to X man 1, Xman 2, etc.  Put up a board with their names or pictures and give them a gold star when they improve their rank.

Answer 6

I highly recommend purchasing a long thick rope.  Tie knots evenly on the rope (where you want the children to hold).  It is best if there is a teacher holding the rope in the front and one in the back.  

Also, a cute idea for keeping them somewhat quiet is to tell them to put their finger over their lips (shhhhh sign).  They might all make the shhhh sound but it is better than screaming.  

Good luck to you!

Answer 7

give them stickers or something if they are quiet!

Answer 8

Make a bribe, like for everyone who is completely quiet in the halls, they get an extra snack(pretzels, animal crackers, cookies, etc.).

Answer 9

play games, hold rope, hands, try different things

Answer 10

They need to become a "snake". everyone lines up, and holds hands in a big line. No one can break the "snake" or chain while in the hall. Make it a game...

the snake is quiet so they have to really quietly hiss as they walk.

The next time make it a chain or a rope etc.

It works.

Answer 11

I have struggled with this problem with all ages!

With younger kids I've played games like pretending to catch a bubble in your mouth and trying not to pop it or let it go until you get to your destination.

With first graders I used to choose a "Mystery Walker" and let them know I'd be watching this person to see how they walked in line, and have a sticker of appreciation for them if they did well.  When we got to where we were going I revealed the identity of the Mystery Walker if they did a good job...if they didn't, I just said we'd try again tomorrow.

And never underestimate the power of the quiet game!

Answer 12

Tell them that the bogeyman is gonna get them if they don't be quiet.If they don't know what the bogeyman is explain it to them.It worked for me and I had 20 2 year olds.

Answer 13

tell them if they run again you're gonna cut their feet off.  j/k!!!

maybe you can put something on the ground, like masking tape to keep them in line (such as.... hop-scotch boxes or a  boxed in squiggly lines or something of the such) to keep them focused to stay in the lines.

Answer 14

Motivation is the key! What is their motivation to stay quiet? Nine year olds will not stay quiet, depending on the kind of school that you teach in, or what have you...just for the heck of it. Find out what interests them and then make that interest a goal to obtain.

For instance, if they like to go outside on days when it is nice instead of doing math...tell them if we can walk in the hallways quietly.... the next day that its nice.... we can play outside instead of doing math. Once this is done once or twice, they will gain the respect you need from them to demand that they be quiet in the halls when you need them to.

Answer 15

Each day have them walk in a different way, but something quiet.  For two-year-olds you should probably give them something quiet to say in order to keep them from being loud.  For example, ask them to be mice and tiptoe and make a whispering noise while walking.  I always asked my toddlers to march and we would all say march, march, march as we walked.  Snakes that slither and say SSSSSS would be another good one.

Answer 16

You don't need to reward them - if anything, this just teaches them that the only reason to do something is to get a prize. What happens on the day you run out of stickers? All h**l breaks loose!

I agree with the others who've said to make it a game. I've had a long, colorful rope for the kids to hold. We've done the snake game where you have to hiss really quietly. We've also done one where we say "Duck Tails" and everyone puts their hands behind their backs with their fingers out (looks like a feathery tail). Then we waddle down the hallway. We've also been butterflies who flap their wings, but make no sound.

You mention the "big hallway". Is there a chance for you to spend a little time there to explore? Maybe once they experience it, run around, check it all out, they won't be so interested in doing that everytime they pass by.

Answer 17

You can take all the advice below but 2 year olds are a species of their own. They are learning new things and realise  "hey I can do this too,"  if one does it they all do it. See if there is a leader if so keep that one  with you.

Answer 18

the answers given before are good ideas (except for the duct tape and boogieman ;) because you do have to give them somewhere to direct their energy, such as making a game out of it.  

but please remember that expecting 2yr olds to be "quiet" when walking somewhere isn't developmentally appropriate or realistic.  if you expect them to be absolutely quiet you're setting them (and yourself) up to fail.  

also be aware that doing the same thing everyday may not work in the long run.  they need to be challenged so maybe try walking different ways on different days - like tip toe one day, side step the next, then try backwards, etc.  this will also be a great large motor activity and help them work on their coordination.

good luck and have fun