The importance of establishing and maintaining routines in a kindergarten class?

"Routines are the backbone of daily classroom life. They facilitate teaching and learning…. Routines don’t just make your life easier, they save valuable classroom time. And what’s most important, efficient routines make it easier for students to learn and achieve more."

—Learning to Teach…not just for beginners by Linda Shalaway 

TEACHING CHALLENGE:

Ms. P wants to have a classroom where pupils enter quietly and begin their learning promptly. However, only about half of his pupils are starting the lesson in this way. Some pupils are taking up to ten minutes to settle and are slow to start tasks during the early part of the lesson. What might Ms.P do to tackle this challenge?

TRY THIS

Ms.P can use routines to establish positive behaviour for learning by understanding that:

> Routines can create a positive and motivating climate in the classroom.

> High expectations can improve pupil behaviour at both a classroom and school level.

> For routines to take hold expectations must be clearly communicated and modelled.

> For routines to stick they need to be revised, re-practised and reinforced.