How do i get the four year old children in my classroom to sit for circle time & art, clean up the toys?

Question

How do i get the four year old children in my classroom to sit for circle time & art, clean up the toys?

Answer 1

check with the principal first...if it is okay.....keep track of the time and take it off the beginning of their recess time....peer

pressure takes the power struggle off you and into their peer group.

Answer 2

Sing a circle song!  They need lots of help making a circle, so guide them to a spot.  Always sit down next to "a very good circle-sitter!"  I used to excuse young children to a circle like this:  "Everyone who is wearing brown shoes can sit in a circle."  Or:  "Table three is ready for circle time.  Table three, please push your chairs in and sit down for circle time."

I wouldn't expect them to sit for art.  I think you're asking a lot there.  Maybe if you have a special messy project, they will sit, but for ordinary art lessons, let them wander a little.  The best way to keep them working is to have a good plan, and walk around the room giving feedback.

Cleaning up toys:  Make a sticker chart, let them have an extra two minutes of recess when they clean up really well, or give verbal praise.  Let the children who clean up really well have special privileges like line-leader, light switch operator, or sitting in your lap for stories.  

I worked with a teacher who used a system called "attaboy."  Every time the students received a compliment from an adult, the teacher recorded an attaboy on a chart.  For every 10 attaboys they collected, they had extra recess.  You could offer attaboys for good cleaning, and let them play their favorite game when they have five attaboys.

Answer 3

You should put a song on. Tell the kids that when they hear that particular song they are to clean up and get ready for circle time. Once the song is done everyone should be seated and ready for circle time. Keep doing it until they get it. It really does work. If you do things separately then pick other songs for those things. So when they the "circle time" song they know it's for that and so on.

Answer 4

Hmmm  always a problem...i work in a preschool and this can drive you nuts!

One place i worked at everyone had a vinyl spot to sit on it was their spot and they had to stay on it for circle time. It used to drive us up the wall in how long it took for kids to get themselves into a circle, so the spots worked. Put them in a circle and each child sits on one.

clean up make it fun! give them sponges and water (what kid doesnt love water) make it a game. Packing up blocks etc i make it into a fast competition. "Who has really strong muscles" I really need someone with strong muscles to help pack up the blocks"...watch all the mucho boys come running.

I have just too many ideas to list on here...

Good luck!

Answer 5

You bribe them. Tell them wht they will be doing at circle time and that the room has to be clean before you can start. I had my class describe to me what it lokks like and sounds like to clean the class. They gave me all kinds of things like pick up garbage, no talking or playing, put things where they belong etc.. when we had all the ideas on the board we made an acronym that covered the major ideas. We came up with WAPT. work together, always move quickly, pick up everything, talking quietly. Now they ask all the time to WAPT the class.

Answer 6

I actually think that bribery isn't the smartest thing because those kids are smart.  they watch tv they are very clever and will one day one way or another figure out how to control YOU with the bribes instead.

One thing I've noticed is that if you talk to kids about what they want to hear instead of the usual "kids quiet down and sit still."  Really, would you be motivated to listen?

What you could do is bring up something that is going on around the school or on the news or start a conversation about a recently released movie.  Get them to interact with you and let them express themselves.  I've worked with young kids in a preschool and you will be surprised at how smart these kids are.  You have to let them see that you are worth trusting.

I know this sounds awkward and a bit farfetched for four-year olds but they are more clever and smart than many people give them credit for.

Answer 7

do not bribe them  !!!!!

tell them who wants to be my helper, children always love to help and pick the four year old child that your talking about  and tell them theyare your helpers and that is how they help you.. that way they would have to listen , they will pack up and clean and listen because they are "the helper"

children always react to the way that you make them feel like that child will be the good boy.

Answer 8

give the good kids candy. candy always works even with older kids.

Answer 9

U sit down with them and join them and help them out and they will catch on.

Answer 10

A great tool for transitioning is music.  Children love music!  Especially at this age.  I know the Barney son is corny, but hey it works!  Even if you have to make up a song, make up words to well known tunes.  The kids will catch on and they won't even know that they are transitioning.  Whatever you do, DO NOT USE CANDY!  There is an obesity crisis in this country, don't help it along!!  Always use positive reinforcement.  Ever heard of Love and Logic?  It works very well also.  Good Luck!

Answer 11

I am a former pre school teacher and I took up early childhood and the way that i got my pre schoolers to do those things were first understand what was age appropriate. circle time for the average preschooler should last no longer than 10 min and try to involve all of the children and use songs and pre schoolers are only supposed to clean up after themselves twice a day. I know it might sound nuts but sing songs get down to their level act like a kid and they will listen better.

Answer 12

Threaten them with a beating. Should work.

Their parents do it.

Answer 13

Start taking away their fun time (if they do) when they are really loud, mean.....

Answer 14

DO NOT BRIBE THEM. Dont listen to these ppl, I teach that age myself, the best to enforce this is to first let the children know that this is a rule and something that they have to do.  Then set a  consequence, for example, when they are done playing with toys and start to go to another area, tell them "you may not go to another area until this area is cleaned up", if they say no, then say that they will not be allowed to play in another area until they've cleaned up.  If they throw tantrums, its better if u ignore them b/c they just want attention, they will come around eventually once they realize that YOU are not willing to take no for an answer.  Thats the key, when you say something, follow through with it, or else they will never listen to you.  As for circle time get them excited and pumped up about it, introduce it with some expression and make it fun, If they refuse to come sit and want to play somewhere else, say "Fine, you can play here, but when we go outside, you will not get to play outside (or whatever recreational activity they enjoy) like the rest of your friends, you will sit out."  And like i said, follow through with it, trust me, once they see you are serious about your convictions, they wont disrespect you again.  And one last thing, instead of bribery, use positive reinforcement.  When they do clean up, say encouraging things, so they will be driven to do it more.  That is not to say you can not treat them occasionally for doing an exceptional job, but dont use that tactic every time, it'll backfire.