Classroom Management Tips: Do You Really Need Behavior Charts?

============================================================

Here is a question I get all the time from my listeners: "Help, my kids are out of control! What can I do?"

Now, this is something every early childhood teacher has had to deal with in their career.

It's no secret that young children are not all angels. It's normal, they're kids, and they don't have as much impulse control as we do.

Plus, they're at that age when they're starting to feel like their own person and want to express themselves.

So, how do you make them behave in the classroom?

Well, what if teaching kids to behave wasn't about controlling their behavior, but instead about teaching them the skills they need to express their feelings and emotions?

And do you truly need behavior charts or are they obsolete?

This is exactly what I discuss in today's episode of Elevating Early Childhood, so, if this sounds like your cup of tea (and I know it does), tune in now!

Key Takeaways:

What is our goal with behavior in the classroom? (00:00)
Sharing one of your emails (00:16)
Behavior charts (01:58)
A story about Kevin (02:47)
Answering my listener's question (07:31)
Another quick story (10:27)
The importance of teaching the right skills (13:30)
Tip #1: Communicate (15:46)
Tip #2: Teach (17:30)
Tip #3: Differentiate (20:15)
What if your administrator mandates the use of a behavior chart? (21:33)
Peer pressure (23:27)

Additional Resources:

💠 Visit our website to find tons of pre-K teaching resources here:

💠 Get my book “Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers” here:

💠 Learn more about my membership program “Teaching Trailblazers” here:

==========================

Follow Our Social Media Channels:

==========================

Elevating Early Childhood is an early education podcast dedicated to helping Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten teachers teach better, save time, and live more.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Onward & Upward! 🙌

==========================

Disclaimer:

Pre-K Pages is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. The word “affiliate” means that we may earn a small commission if/when you click on or make purchases via these links at no additional cost to you.

As a policy, the Company will only affiliate with products, services, consultants or experts that we believe will provide value to our customers and followers.

You recognize that it remains your personal responsibility to investigate whether any affiliate offers are right for you and will benefit you. You will not rely on any recommendation, reference, or information provided by the Company but will instead conduct your own investigation and will rely upon your investigation to decide whether to purchase the affiliate product or service.

#elevatingearlychildhood #preschool #behavior #behaviormanagement

[jessih.]

I absolutely love these educational vids. I am a first year Pre-k 4 teacher and I thought I knew what I doing until I actually started working with the children full time. I was ABSOLUTELY lost. This channel has helped me and ton of others, I'm sure. Thank you guys so much for being awesome! Keep it up❤

[lisapaffenroth]

I could not agree more with everything you said in this video. I have taught 3's for 9 years and here I am only two weeks into the year and I am ready to quit. I have 10 children in my class and one assistant. My assistant has little experience with children and a very old-school mentality. She constantly "scolds" the children and I spend as much time correcting her behavior as I do my children. Then she tells me that I am "not strict enough". And of my 10 children, I have 3 with serious behavior issues. I am not talking about wiggling, and talking during circle, these kids are rolling around and kicking friends, running all over the room, and being very disruptive. I was trained in a NAC accredited school and I feel like I have a lot of really good tools in my toolbox but I just am at my wits end on how to positively guide the three to participate appropriately in the activities.

[EliseWilliams-lw]

Love your transparency! You are an excellent teacher and provide a wealth of knowledge! Thanks so much.

[xNCFOREVERx]

When I do whole class rewards, I don't count students that are working on behaviors towards the reward. Also, I focus on improvement, not perfection when it comes to whole group points as well. I teach Kinder. I don't like behavioral charts bc it does not focus on improvement nor are they positive. I like bucket filling. I teach and model expectations as well as behavior, it helps a lot! We have problem-solving circles too if things come up

[charlenesteward]

This was so good! Being an "out the box" type teacher myself, I totally agree with all of this. I have never used or had to use behavioral charts or incentives in my class. And I take great pride in that. Thank you for the confirmation 🙂.

[angelanew]

Thank you so much for this video because I was told to use behavior chart for two years old. Most of the twos will not understand why we are using a behavior chart. I agree it is important to teach the skills you want to do.

[myesltalk]

This is truly refreshing. I've learned a lot from you.

[thesub-mission]

Your videos are great! I’m not a teacher but I watch your videos to know what to prep my pre K and Kindergartner for next school year. Thank you! Keep up the videos

[mem]

Your video is excellent especially the perspective that you give us. I appreciate your help to be better teacher because I really enjoy teaching

[ascensioncano]

I love your videos and tips you have. Thank you so much...

[ebbrown]

This was good! I had to rewind and re-hear 12:48 a few times… Very good advice! Teaching behavior as an internal motivator… To be competent in the skill of self regulation ❤️

[margaretconner]

Your videos have been so helpful! I am an old school teacher and new at the pre-K level and seeing your videos have really opened up my eyes to knew ideas and the important relationship between parents and the children. All are individual's and it is important for us as the early educators in their lives to help them succeed. Thank you!

[chelseabrown]

Thank you for the incites! I agree with everything you are saying. I use the star jar and look at it as more of a teamwork goal and activity for my class :) If we all work together we can earn a star. Now my star jar fills up quickly and everyone contributes. I also say if so and so is using their walking feet so they get a high five! They love it. Don't get me wrong I am doing all the following you have suggested but there is something about using these small fun fair tactics that has changed my class… however this is the first year I have actually used it. I am a big believer that every class has its own needs. Anyways good to have lots up your sleeve as an ECE :)

[smartypantsladies]

What you are speaking about now....really is why I like to use SEL as much as I can.

[jengiolando]

This goes for all levels. Pre-k on up!

[scarlettestrella]

I have a 3 year old who hits throws and sometimes he targets the children i have 8 students and I'm by myself when he starts hitting and throwing i hold him and do a gentle restraint and I explain its not okay to hit if he is angry or throw i offer him other choices he yells no i explain i cant let him go until his body is safe its been so stressful this is my first year i tried the 5 star chart get a reward it was m&ms but he flips out when he doesn't get the m&m so that doesn't help

[stephaniecole-sanchez]

These extrinsics are ironically 'old school' tho they're ripped from Pinterest. It creates more antagonism and worse...ambivalent adults.

[jengiolando]

I’ve also seen teachers use teacher vs student behavior systems.

[ccc]

What about behaviors like getting out of their seats and shouting out. These behaviors are very disruptive. How would you address these behaviors?

[PORT.design]

I have been trying to figure out ways to have better behavior and classroom management in my classroom and of course do it in more developmentally appropriate ways. However, I have two big challenges 1. I have a large class size of 28 children 2. They are all Chinese and have very limited English speaking skills. Logically I know that it is my job to help teach them how to better manage their behaviors but due to the langauge divide I am at a loss on the best strategy to do this.