7 Ideas for Easy Transitioning in the Preschool Classroom
1. Play "Simon Says". If your class is transitioning from one subject to another and you need a smooth transition, play "Simon Says". You will be sure to catch their attention quickly and effectively. For ex. "Simon says touch something white, or touch something that starts with an R, or hop five times". Using the child's name in a directive helps to gain attention quickly also. For example, "Everybody touch Jason, or shake hands with Tiffany". This helps to develop early socialization skills. This is also integrating letters, sounds, colors, shapes, and/or math concepts.
2. Sing a little fun song for clean up time like, "Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody, Everywhere. Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody do your share".
3. Emphasize a classroom rule for example, "Everyone stop, look, and listen" when the teacher does this; rings a bell, clap hands (and/or have children repeat clap back) or recite a poem. Then have everyone stop, look, and listen using the same technique regularly to create a routine. Young children respond well to consitent rules.
4. When you see that your class is particularly active on a given day, have them stand up and sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes". Not only does this give them a little stretch to get the wiggles out, but also teaches body parts.
5. When commuting in a line from one place of activity to another, have your line leader lead in a game of "Follow the Leader". This breaks up the monotony of daily rituals and brings a little fun to the commute.
6. Have class participate in a favorite fingerplay to get attention quickly such as: "Where is thumkin?" or "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Choose some fun and different songs throughout the year that involve action play as well as singing. Many teachers like to change songs for every month of the year. Mailbox magazine and is an excellent resource for seasonal activities, actions songs and craft ideas. Using fingerplays reinforces learning rhyming and developing motor skills.
7. Sometimes to get young children up and moving, especially on a rainy day, you could just say "Okay everyone touch your knees ten times, run in place fifteen times, do eight jumping jacks,tap your head 7 times, or hop on one foot six times, and etc. This helps to develop coordination.
2. Sing a little fun song for clean up time like, "Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody, Everywhere. Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody do your share".
3. Emphasize a classroom rule for example, "Everyone stop, look, and listen" when the teacher does this; rings a bell, clap hands (and/or have children repeat clap back) or recite a poem. Then have everyone stop, look, and listen using the same technique regularly to create a routine. Young children respond well to consitent rules.
4. When you see that your class is particularly active on a given day, have them stand up and sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes". Not only does this give them a little stretch to get the wiggles out, but also teaches body parts.
5. When commuting in a line from one place of activity to another, have your line leader lead in a game of "Follow the Leader". This breaks up the monotony of daily rituals and brings a little fun to the commute.
6. Have class participate in a favorite fingerplay to get attention quickly such as: "Where is thumkin?" or "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Choose some fun and different songs throughout the year that involve action play as well as singing. Many teachers like to change songs for every month of the year. Mailbox magazine and is an excellent resource for seasonal activities, actions songs and craft ideas. Using fingerplays reinforces learning rhyming and developing motor skills.
7. Sometimes to get young children up and moving, especially on a rainy day, you could just say "Okay everyone touch your knees ten times, run in place fifteen times, do eight jumping jacks,tap your head 7 times, or hop on one foot six times, and etc. This helps to develop coordination.
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