I teach creative movement with 2.5 year old girls for 45 minutes. We almost have the class tamed but they are babies so it won't ever be "perfect", and I am okay with that. I don't have any easy time getting a few of them to stand still, not run around the room when I am speaking ( or at any time they want to), yell, or smother another child with hugs. They are seriously adorable though... I still have my SO coming into the room every so often to help reign them in. It helps, but at the same time I really want to be able to handle them on my own. When one acts out and I try to bring them back into the order of class another follows suit then another... and so on.

For some reason I never thought to give warnings, and then after reaching 3 warnings or something horrible like punching another child (she ALMOST did! I was horrified) they have to sit out, not participate, and not speak. I just started last week with one class so I don't know how it will go. However, I kinda don't like having to do this even though I know their age how they work... I'd like to think there is another way to discipline or just get them to GET IT. I am the teacher and you listen to ME.

I teach 3.5-4 year old girls in "baby hip hop". Its draining too and I have the same problem with these 9 little girls. They are also getting too used to the routines of class and I need to switch it up quick! Any suggestions or thoughts will be greatly appreciated!

For some reason I never thought to give warnings, and then after reaching 3 warnings or something horrible like punching another child (she ALMOST did! I was horrified) they have to sit out, not participate, and not speak. I just started last week with one class so I don't know how it will go. However, I kinda don't like having to do this even though I know their age how they work...

I don't think anyone likes doing it, but it works as long as you stick to it. With kids this young, I give lots and lots of reminders before actually calling them on their behavior. Because they are very young and they don't always weigh the consequences before acting on impulse. So usually if I remind them of how many chances they have left until they have to sit out, they straighten up. I'll give them a strike only if they ignore me or if they immediately go back to whatever it was I asked them not to do. And if you stick to your system, whatever it is, you probably won't have to sit someone down very often. I think I had maybe two kids end up sitting out per class all year last year. Which is good, because I hate doing it, too!

I would not recommend to discipline. At this age, it's the approach, not the kids. First, you need to be prepared and have a sequence of activities for the class. Alternate activities with games. Use games as rewards for performing other things well. You need to feel the class. You must make sure that everyone is listening to you with an open mouth. Talk like a child, use associations that they understand. The moment you see someone is loosing their attention, it's the time to move to next activity. Use props, such as a nutcracker as a class-watcher, sticky stars or tape on the floor to make sure everyone stays where they suppose to be. One of the coolest things we use is a magic wand. The moment you need to wake up someone or get there attention or prompt them to move, etc, gently touch them with the wand. Works like a charm.
With older kids, same thing, use game periods, to keep them excited. No one will stick around without the reward. Good luck.

I have this one little girl who is 4 but is in a class with 2 1/2 year olds because of the way she acts. I try the whole rewards thing with her but it doesn't work. She will just look at me and say no, so after a warning, if she still continues to do whatever it is she was doing she goes straight to a spot I designated. She has to sit once she sits and calms down she can get back up and join the class. The first couple of weeks I really didn't know what I was going to do with her, now she has gotten so much better, and knows exactly where to sit and knows I won't let her get up till she sits. and of course the other girls in the class knows too.

Good luck, Stay calm, it takes time.

I establish 3 rules with this age from the very first class...No Running, No Touching the Ballet Bars, Keep Your Hands to Yourself. We repeat them each week for the 1st month. I will then quiz them on them from time to time. I am very serious when I give the rules...I have never had huge discipline issues as long as I have stuck to this.

Every once in a while you will get a free spirited child that just does not listen. In those rare instances, I have had to be 'super serious' about it. Sometimes you can reign those kids in and sometimes you can't. As long as you always approach it seriously so that the children know that behavior is not ok, you will be ok.

Its also very true about changing up the activity. Sometimes my whole plan for class goes out the window if their mood for that day is not task oriented. I also watch so that if a activity seems to be getting more wild or out of control, I immediately change to something different and calmer.

Takes experience at reading the class. Stick to it - you will do ok!

Thanks for the insight and comments everyone!!