The Georgia Early Learning Standards Activity Guides may - gapitc

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Here Is the Way
Make up a song to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush” to help
children remember classroom routines and their order during the day:
“Here is the way we hang up our back packs, hang up our back packs,
hang up our back packs,
Here is the way we hang up our back packs,
When we come to school.”
(other verses could include clean up for lunch, clean up our centers, lay on our cots, and come
to the circle)
Sing the song with children as they perform familiar routines.
When you add a new routine, add a verse to your song.
Establish a few classroom rules. Three year olds can remember three or four rules.
State rules in a positive way, focusing on what you want children to do. For example:
“We use walking feet inside,” “We use kind hands and words,” and “We use inside
voices.” Practice each of the rules and remind the children often. Avoid rules that
start with “don’t.”
Three year olds will typically act before thinking. They will strike out physically if
they are angry, or pout and cry if frustrated. Often, they do not know the words to
express strong feelings. It is the teacher’s job to help the child begin to use words
to describe how they are feeling.
Learning to wait and take turns is an important social skill. However, classrooms
should have sufficient play materials to allow children to be active without excessive
waiting.
Children need lots of practice to learn simple routines that adults take for granted,
such as lining up or putting away toys.
Redirect children’s “tattling” by asking them to tell another child about their feelings.
Encourage them to say, for example, “I don’t like it when you push me. Stop it!” When
children are not able to resolve their own conflicts, the teacher needs to help.
Be sure to make positive comments when children demonstrate self control by waiting,
sharing, learning a new routine, or resolving conflicts with other children.
Positive reinforcement is especially important for children with attention and hyperactivity
disorders.
If a child is known to have difficulty regulating feelings or reactions, position a teacher
near the child for easy redirection and reinforcement.