Teaching Classroom Rules to Children

Teaching classroom rules to children is a must. It is the duty of parents to teach such rules to their children in order to ensure that they are well-behaved in the classroom. Read on to find some tips to teach classroom rules to children.Classroom rules are not just important as a child, but also teach the child that there are some norms and expectations when one is in public or in a group. Therefore, you must train your child and teach classroom rules to her.Before going to school children stay at home where they are not bound to any specific terms and conditions. Teaching classroom rules especially before your child goes to the school is very important. This is the first step for your child to understand what is expected from her in class. Although, it is not easy to make children understand and implement, training them consistently would definitely help.There are many proven ways in which you can make children know and follow classroom rules. Teachers can do this by outlining the rules to the children, involving the children in the progression, reviewing the rules with children from time to time and helping them with additional support when and where necessary. In this articleDefine Classroom Rules to ChildrenInvolve Children in the ProcessReview and Follow-Up Additional and Individual SupportBasic Classroom Rules that Children Must Learn1. Define Classroom Rules to ChildrenMake use of child friendly language and define rules clearly so that children do not have any confusion. Keep short and understandable sentences. Children understand things with examples. So, make use of examples and show them how to do anything.2. Involve Children in the ProcessExplain children the rules and their importance. Once you explain kids why a specific rule is important, they will understand better.Use different methods to help children learn and follow the rules. There are videos, songs, role-plays, puppets and books.Make use of some material or the other often especially when kids are very young so that every child understands in the best possible way.Let children make books or posters in which photographs and images depicting rules can be pasted. This can be a group activity or individual depending on the interests in common.3. Review and Follow-UpInitially, reviewing daily is important.Reviewing should be done during large-group times. Remember, kids learn fast and they forget fast too. So, do not expect from them everything in one go.Provide regular reminders of the rules to the children.Make sure you and other adults are consistent and particular about the manner in which they explain rules and behaviours to children.Follow up with children to make sure everyone understands the rules.If different methods are to be used from time to time, the teacher should schedule in that manner.Involving children in group activities also help children understand in better way.Teachers can make use of scripted stories also to help children learn and remember classroom rules.4. Additional and Individual SupportSome children understand things at different levels. So, teachers might require giving individual attention to some kids to make them learn and implement classroom rules.It can be giving one to one instructions or making use of the method that is best fitting for the child.Reviewing is must and teachers must pay attention to this part.Teachers can make use of visual supports to work as reminders and cues.Teachers need to create separate visuals to make a child understand.5. Basic Classroom Rules that Children Must LearnHere are some basic classroom rules that parents must help their children imbibe.Standing and greeting the teacher when she enters the classroom.Sitting quietly in the classroom.Raising hand to ask question while teacher is teaching.Taking permission to use washroom.Avoid shouting and screaming.Eating only during lunch time.Standing while talking to teacher.Obeying the instruction of teacher.Maintaining discipline while teacher is away.Maintaining cleanliness in the classroom.Being kind and avoiding fights with the classmates.Letting the teacher know if there is any problem.Co-operating with monitors.No matter what, teachers must understand the needs and abilities of each child when they are teaching classroom rules. They can also involve parents if things are not under control or if the teacher feels that the child might understand her parents’ instructions and manner of teaching.In short, when you are planning to teach a very young child some rules, you have to be patient and open for challenges. Simply displaying the rules or explaining them to kids will not be enough. You have to teach every child intentionally and systematically.What are the classroom rules? How to teach classroom rules to children? What are the ways to ensure that a child is well-behaved in the classroom? Discuss here.