"Helping children grow through learning!"
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"Helping children grow through learning!"
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By Kathy Barrett "Time-Out!" you warn, or possibly shriek, at the typically social 4 year old who has just interrupted the class for the 100th time. There must be another method, you think in frustration. Are time-outs not working for you? Time-outs, in fact, are very effective when properly implemented. After nine years of trial and error, challenges and changes, I have developed three methods for keeping order in a pre-school classroom. (Disclaimer: Holidays and the last two-weeks of school don’t count!) The first method is the use of a time-out I call, "The Wise Worker Wheel." Young children respond more quickly with visuals. Therefore, to declare a time-out is meaningless unless the child can visualize the boundaries and escalating consequences for his misbehavior. With the following visual, there will be no questions asked. First, cut the brightly colored poster board in an eighteen-inch diameter. Next cut the white poster board in an sixteen-inch diameter. Fasten both circles together with a brad. Then, draw a line down the middle of the sixteen inch circle a marker. The first half of the diameter will be the "Wise Worker" half. You will glue the owl picture to the first half of the circle. All the children’s clothespins begin each day in this section. They begin their day as "Wise Workers!" You will mark off the other half of the diameter evenly into five sections. Beginning with the turtle, glue each animal onto each of the five sections. Underneath the picture of the turtle, you will write the word, Reminder. Under the rabbit, two Minutes Time Out, under the bird, 4 Minutes Time-Out, under the donkey, No PlayTime. Finally, if the child still misbehaves his clothes pin is moved to the lion, which denotes a visit to the principal’s office and/or a call home. Under the picture of the lion, you will write Office/Call Home Display the "Wise Worker Wheel" somewhere in the room where children and parents alike will see it. At the beginning of the school year, explain the use of the wheel to the children very clearly. You must know, in advance, how much misbehavior you will tolerate and implement the use of the Wise Worker Wheel accordingly. It will be an important part of your classroom management plan and involved parents will chek it daily and ask how they can help. When using this escalating consequence method, it is important, however, to remember to focus on the positives of being a Wise Worker such as –following rules, respect for themselves, playtime with others, honoring their teacher, parents and God, etc. Then, when misbehavior or disobedience becomes a problem, make it simply a matter of fact without a long lecture when having to move a clothespin. In the next issue, watch for Method #2 in keeping order in a pre-school classroom. It involves the use of a tool found in your kitchen and one that may bring delightful surprises to your classroom.
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