Need a few new tricks to calm those excited children this week?
QUIET Man (Candace Reed)
Make "quiet man" with your fingers by sticking up pinky and pointer and touching thumb, ring man, and tall man. When the teacher holds up "quiet man" the children respond by making "quiet man" and focusing on the teacher.
Magic Triangle (Cathy Crady)
Remind children that they all have a magic triangle in their pocket. (Place pointers and thumbs next to each other to form a triangle.) When the children need to calm down ask them to take out their magic triangle and hold it in front of their mouth. Tell them to take a deep breath in through their nose, and then slowly blow through the triangle.
Body Check
Explain that it's important to listen with your eyes, ears, and bodies.
Breath through Your Nose
Tell children to slowly breath in and out their noses. It’s surprising how this will calm them – and they won’t be able to talk!
Bubbles
Blow bubbles and see if the children can be sitting quietly before all the bubbles pop.
Self Control (Becky Gilsdorf)
Use this visual cue to help children who are out of control:
Explain that it's important to listen with your eyes, ears, and bodies.
*Teacher: Are your eyes looking at me?
Children: Check!
Teacher: Are your ears ready to listen?
Children: Check!
Teacher: Are your bodies sitting quietly?
Children: Check!
Teacher: Are you ready to learn?
Children: Check!
Breath through Your Nose
Tell children to slowly breath in and out their noses. It’s surprising how this will calm them – and they won’t be able to talk!
Bubbles
Blow bubbles and see if the children can be sitting quietly before all the bubbles pop.
Self Control (Becky Gilsdorf)
Use this visual cue to help children who are out of control:
Cross hands over your chest. (Self)
Slide both hands down the sides of your body. (Control)
As the child repeats the movements silently it will calm them down.