I have been teaching for about 8 years and this year is my worse preschool class yet! They don't listen, they run around and I can't get control of them. Usually it is just one or two but this is mostly the whole class, there is one or two that get them all going but man, I can't stop them. There are 9 kids, I guess I need a helper for this class, but I don't have one. Don't know what to do. if we sit in a cirle and do stuff one at a time they are ok for about 5 minutes that is the best 5 minutes of the 1/2 hour class. We change activities about 10 - 15 times in that time. What do I do? It would help if there were less of them, but unless they drop out I don't know what to do, I don't have time to separte them and make it two classes. There is one little girl that just turns 3 this month and my age limit is 3 1/2 to start so I guess I could tell that parent that she is just too young to be in dance this year? That might help. What do I do?????

wow this is a touffie!! I cant even imangine working with the 5 yr olds at my studio...i let a friend take that class i will settle for level 2and up... but ok so bakc to your problem

Do parents watch your class? because if they do they must know whats going on...they cant be retarded can they? so maybe you could make it obvious to tell the kids they have to settle down and be good if they want to learn something

If parents dont watch maybe send home a newsletter about class behavior.. My teacher did this and im warning you you WILL get at LEAST one angry mom saying blah blah blah they are 4 they are here for fun ot a seriou class and the way my teacher put it was mam Im sorry if this is how you feel but this is a hour of my time where i try to set young kids up for a future in dance and if you want you child to just have some fun id suggest buying a childrens ballet video from sears, you will save money on lessions and gas.

There was no furter aruguments...the class was of course still a bit rowdy...they are only young.. but i think their parents started realising to tell their kids its time to smarten up..

hope this helps some!

Chevy

If you can find an assistant, get one! At my studio, I use older students who are interested in teaching. They can help keep the students in line and go catch the ones that run off. When I can, we hold hands so I can keep everyone together. I do lots of things in a circle that use everyone so they have to be there doing their part. If one tries to get away, usually a classmate won't let go so they're stuck. If they do, my students will usually just close the circle with an "oh well" attitude and continue doing what I've asked them to because it's fun.

Do you hand out stickers at the end of class? If so, only give them to the good listeners. In my years of teaching, I've only had to send one kid home without a sticker. It was the hardest thing I had to do watching her cry, but her mom backed me up on it and she came back the next week ready to listen and work.

If your youngest student is causing a problem that is infecting the rest, you may need to ask her parents to try again later when she is older. When students see that one go off and do their own thing, they think it is okay to follow. Be sure to praise those who are listening. "Thank you, Julie, for being such a good listener today."

Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes!

I feel for you sista-girl!
The sticker thing really works. I tell my students that everyone gets a hug at the end of class but you must listen and participate to get a sticker. Beware of the hand holding too. Sometimes the little ones like to start speading out and they wont know when to stop and when their neighbor lets go because of the pulling down they go. Tell them to be gentle with one another and not to pull if they start. Also at the end of class we have dress up period where they dance anything they want to. This is also another "treat" that you can use to get their atttention. Also check out how the parent interacts with their child. Some parents are super strict with their kids and the only way you'll get their attention is to follow the parents lead. Hope this helps.

tell the troublemakers parents that they are too young and cannot continue, You are not a babysitter. I have had to do this and its hard but if they are getting the class so out of control that you cant stop them then they are to young. Remeber you are a dance teacher, not a nanny!

Bribe them. Stickers, stamps, and if you're really desperate...candy. Say, "every who is sitting on there spots with their legs crossed and mouths closed get a sticker..."
Or "if you are really good today and listen to Ms. Wilkyl, I will give you a special treat after class". that treat can be anything from a really good sticker to a game. Its amazing what a child will do for a piece of candy.

Focus on the really bad ones. Give them chores,"now suzie, i need you to be my helper and make sure everyone sits criss cross applesauce".

When a child is really misbehaving, I will get on there level, look them in the eye and tell them this is bad behavior. only good girls are aloud in my class. If she doesnt listen, I tell her I'm going to call her mother and have her to come pick her up. I've never had to actually call a mom, but usually they get scared enough to behave.

Also, make sure to praise the ones who are behaving, and make sure the ones misbehaving see or hear it. "Jane gets to go first because she is sitting down on her spot."

I know some teacher who use time out, but that has never really worked for me. Especially if its more than one child.

Holding hands usually keeps them all together when they tend to scatter. I had one class that had to hold hands nearly the entire time because they were all over the place. We went across the floor together as a group, did everything in a line either holding hands or in a choo choo line.

My last theory is to only raise your voice when you are trying to get there attention. Another teacher at my studio speaks in a loud, highpitched voice the whole class with the little ones. So when she tries to get there attention, it sounds the same as everything else she says. I try to speak to them using different tones with wide dynamics so they know when i raise my voice, I mean business.