6/10/01
Question 114
Dear Preschool
Teacher,
I teach two year olds at a wonderful
preschool. My problem is that I have a hard time keeping all the kids'
attention when a few kids are misbehaving. How do I redirect the
"good" kids away from the troublesome ones my assistants are
taking care of? Thanks for your help.
Redirecting Twos
Dear Redirecting Twos,
Always try to
draw attention to the children who are being "good".
This will help to teach the children that are attention seeking that
the best way to get your attention is to be caught being good.
Also one of the tricks that I use to keep my little ones on task
during transition times is to sing songs. Sometimes I will start
and let them finish or I will sing while I am carrying out a task. Ex.
passing out papers. This gives the children something to do and
they are not finding something to occupy themselves that may be
distracting. I hope this helps.
Julie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear Redirecting Twos,
Sometimes it is very difficult.
Most of the time just giving praise to those doing a great will help.
But there are times you might have to give the good one something to
do while you redirect the misbehaved one. Sometimes just finding
something they enjoy will help. Other times have your assistant
take the misbehaved ones on a walk will help them gain control.
Each situation is different.
Most of the time the children are not
comfortable with what is going. I found sometimes the work is to
hard, some can't sit still but a moment. I have two children that do
this. I found out even as two year olds know what they can and can't
do. Mainly because the are immature, or do not have the same
fine motor control as the other children have. This makes them
more insecure and need more help. As the year went on, I would
give them some they were comfortable with and increased the difficulty
and now they are doing about 45% better. I hope this help. It can be
very trying.
Doris
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear Redirecting Twos,
This is a common problem, and not just
for 2 year olds! Sometimes changing the activity at the rug
helps -- to a song, fingerplay, movement & music -- this may
sometimes gain their attention back. Or try a puppet or some
other "special" visitor. Make positive comments about anyone
who is listening or doing what you want -- then more will try to gain
your attention by doing what you want. Maybe for a period of
time you may need to shorten your rug time.
Kris
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
Dear Redirecting Twos,
It is very hard to keep the attention of
the average two-year old anyway, but when something else happens, it
may be next to impossible! Maybe you could try puppets.
Children really pay attention to them. Give them something to
look at besides just a book. Use songs too. Short and to
the point is the best way to do any activity for twos.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"
