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Crafting Engaging Rule Lists for Early Learners: Tips and Tricks
Let’s talk about making our rule lists super effective and fun. How do you keep it simple yet engaging? Share your best tricks for using positive words, making rules visual, and handling tricky situations with our little ones!
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170 Replies
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Frame instructions in a positive manner, focusing on what children should do rather than what they shouldn’t.
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I like to phrase rules/instructions in a way that is easy to demonstrate and does not have exceptions. For example, rather than just saying “hands to yourselves” which may later confuse children because things like playing tag, holding hands, or giving a friend a hug, requires touching someone, I like to say “gentle hands”/”gentle touches” and demonstrate what gentle touch looks like.
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Great approach! Using specific, positive language and demonstrations helps children understand and follow rules effectively.
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Discus following directions in a positive manner.
Rather than discussing the negative things they should not be doing.
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Discussing the direction with manners
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I create classroom expectations. They are positive things the children can work on and easily practiced. I have visual reminders throughout the classroom and interactive songs and chants as well. I also like to include pictures of the kids demonstrating the expectation.
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I have a list on the wall and we review them every day
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We go over classroom expectations often so that friends understand what is expected of them, and I often let friends know or thank them for they are following the rules. When we come inside from recess we have to wash our hands and change our shoes before circle, and I’ll thank friends for having inside voices while we wash our hands and thank them for doing such a good job getting to circle time.
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I use sign language along with the words to help reinforce rules. For example when kids have to wait or be patient we use our hands to sign “wait” to help them understand wait concept but also giving them something to do with their hands.
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Great idea, Kristin! Using sign language to reinforce rules is a creative and engaging way to help little ones understand and follow instructions.
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Using sign language or even Spanish if you know it for other kids that speak Spanish not English also wrighting and making a activity by righting rules on a poster bird with other kids
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I go over what my expectations are as the situations arise, and often times ask the children to engage in answering questions I ask. I always frame the rule as “this is an okay way to…” and then model it for the children. I will sometimes ask the children to show how we do a certain thing for a peer, like ask to be excused from the table etc.
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Great strategy, Kathryn! Engaging children in modeling and peer teaching is a powerful way to reinforce positive behavior.
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Discuss positivity. I also like to get down to their level and look at them while talking. I have them try to repeat what I said.
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Celeste! Using eye contact and repetition helps maintain engagement and focus. Well said!
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I discuss the reasons for the rules with the children and as they begin to understand the rules they notice when they or their friends follow the rules and it paid off (or they didn’t and it turned out badly). Such as, they followed the rule of always walking inside and if they had been running they would have hit the person coming around the corner. Then they become the ones telling ME the rules and say “Miss Elaine, that’s why we always walk inside.”
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To keep the rules engaging I think you should draw visual pictures or create body movements that go along with the rules you create. I also think it is important to have them repeat and review a list of classroom rules.
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When you don’t know what the situation is between fighting children, I always start with “What is happening?” It gets their attention and opens it up for them to communicate.
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Great technique, Mary! Using open-ended questions encourages communication and problem-solving skills in children.
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I find letting a child know why you are asking/stopping them is effective. It’s my job to make sure you are being safe, learning and having fun.
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Great point, Kelly! Communicating reasons to children helps them understand and cooperate. Well done!
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