okay, so in a 2,3,4 year old class, i have one student who always runs about, and i can't make her stop! She also doesn't speak english, which adds a big twist on things, and her parents dont really either. any suggestions? and what do you do when everyone has a scream-a-thon? I have some screamers as well....oh dear....lol

One thing you might try with your little "runner" is to have her sit in your lap as your personal helper. Try doing some floor stretches and use her to help demonstrate the stretches while confining her in your lap. This will allow her to get the attention that she is needing and demanding from you, but you are not giving in to her negative behavior. For the screamers....oh dear is right! When my students get loud, I try talking to them in a whisper. I try to get their attention without talking at all to them to begin with. Then I convince them that I have a very important SECRET to tell them. Children this age LOVE a secret. Your secret can be anything that may be important to them...it could even be..."guess what...I have a very special sticker for the good listeners at the end of class". You can also try giving treats at the end of class. I hope this helps!! Good luck!

I have a runner aswell. I have been teaching this age group for about 8 years now. At first I would put up with it as I wanted the extra money for that child. To tell the truth it was not worth the headache I would get every week. I have told some parents that the child is not old enough and should try again next year. That is hard to do as well because the kids really want to be there. (but I would not think they do if they run around all the time) I have tried the give a treat at the end of class. Oh that was a big mistake. Then the kids would come just for the treat. All class they ask "When do we get our treat" They would ask even before class started. And they would still not dance. I would sugest having the child join again after Christmas? They should be more mature within a few months or wait until next year! I have one I will be telling that tonight if the child acts like she did last week! WOWOWOWOW!

I agree with the previous poster that the child who runs around may not be mature enough for your class just yet. Or she may just be totally undisciplined and allowed to rule the roost at home, who knows. Either way, it's unfair to you and the other children to have this constant distraction and there is no way to successfully conduct a pre-school class like that. I would definitely discuss this with her parent. You may need a translator, since they don't speak much English. As for the screaming...yes, little ones can get quite loud and excitable at times, but sometimes slowing the pace a bit and playing calm music and/ or doing a quieter activity can help. One thing mine love is "Wake Up". They begin by lying on the floor pretending to be asleep and then slowly wake up and do stretching or ballet exercises. I have this on an old Roni Mahler album, but you could improvise with nice soft music.

I know how you feel, I have one class of 10 2 year olds and at least 3 or 4 of them like to run around, well that is because they are so young. I do give treats at the end, and I have 3 class helpers with that class. I assign each of them to 1 or 2 of the kids who run around and that usually helps a bit.