{"id":1529,"date":"2015-09-10T12:04:37","date_gmt":"2015-09-10T16:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/?p=1529"},"modified":"2025-02-03T11:21:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T16:21:47","slug":"kiss-classroom-management-for-kindergarten-teachers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/kiss-classroom-management-for-kindergarten-teachers\/","title":{"rendered":"KISS – First Day Tips for Kindergarten Teachers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"kindergarten<\/h2>\n

Keep It Simple Strategies (KISS)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our keep it simple strategies articles showcase great ideas for classroom management. Sometimes I’ve thought that if it weren’t for the ideas of teachers who went before me, I’d go mad. It’s the little things that make a classroom run smoothly. Things start to fall apart when there is no structure. Kids crave structure<\/em>; it provides solidity for those who may not have boundaries at home. It is comforting<\/em>; kids know their limits in a room with structure and specific protocols for conducting business on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n

KISS #1 is about Kindergarten, the place where it all begins.<\/h2>\n

I’ve always believed that Kindergarten and First Grade teachers are the most important teachers in a child’s life. A good K teacher is worth her weight in gold, and I’ve worked with many, each one a talented, highly organized mentor for the little ones.<\/p>\n

Tips for Kindergarten Management<\/h2>\n

The #1 Best Tip is\u00a0Pre-Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before the first day of school, have two or three informal meetings with parents and their children. Divide the meetings into 3 or 4 groups so it’s not so overwhelming for both child and parent (and you). Here, you will introduce yourself and show everyone the lay of the land. It’s a good time to introduce the children to their cubbies. An activity for this day<\/a> might be to draw a picture<\/a> of the child’s pet or teddy to attach to the outside of the cubbie with the child’s name on it. It establishes territory, cuts out a small part of the big world that belongs to each child. And, always have stickers<\/a> at the ready.<\/p>\n

A proper pre-planning meeting should prevent most of the tears in the early day of school. Distraction is helpful too, if a child starts to cry, have an activity ready<\/a> to focus his attention on something other than his fears of separation from Mom<\/a>. Your partner on the first day of school is the parent<\/a>. Send a plann<\/a>ing kit<\/a> to Mom a week or so before school starts, or set up a website that allows parents and kids a chance to take a virtual tour of the school so they know what to expect.<\/p>\n