Social Emotional Development: Foundational Practices
Setting classroom rules
Teachers create classroom rules together with children, and talk about them to make sure that there are clear expectations on how to behave and get along with others. Consistent schedules, predictable routines, and clear expectations for behavior all contribute to a positive learning environment.
Video 7.10: Reviewing Classroom Rules
A teacher reviews the classroom rules with the children during whole group time (running time: 2 min. 27 sec.).
View transcript
Teacher:
OK Let’s do our classroom rules. Are you guys ready? Ok. I need some helpers, let me see, Shawn what’s our first classroom rule?
Child:
Walking feet.
Teacher:
We use walking feet. Show me walking feet. Show me running. Where can you run?
Children:
Outside!
Teacher:
Outside. Good job. Dayanna what’s another classroom rule?
Child:
Inside voices.
Teacher:
Inside voices. Say hello really really loud.
Children:
Hello!
Teacher:
Where can you use that voice?
Children:
[Loudly] Outside.
Teacher:
Say hello using your inside voice.
Children:
[Softly] Hello.
Teacher:
Say hello and don’t make a sound.
Children:
(whispering)
Teacher:
Deja what’s another classroom rule?
Child:
Gentle touching.
Teacher:
Gentle touches. What would be a gentle touch?
Children:
This would.
Teacher:
A pat on the back, very good. How about a shaking a hand?
Children:
Uh huh.
Teacher:
Say good morning. Good morning.
Children:
Good morning.
Teacher:
Or a hug, that’s right. Good job. Or hold hands. Ok, let me see. Thomas, what is another classroom rule?
Child:
We take turns.
Teacher:
We take turns. Jacob, why do we take turns?
Child:
Because other people want a chance.
Teacher:
Other people might want to share. Can everybody play in the library at the same time?
Children:
No!
Teacher:
They can’t fit? OK. Can everybody play on the computer at the same time?
Children:
No!
Teacher:
So we take turns so everybody has a chance to play and share.
Child:
Everybody can fit outside.
Teacher:
You’re right. Everybody can go outside. But can everybody slide at the same time?
Children:
No.
Child:
That would be dangerous.
Teacher:
That would be dangerous.
Child:
But we could take turns on the slide.
Teacher:
We can take turns.