Classroom Management Strategies for New Teachers

Classroom management is one of the biggest challenges new teachers face. While teaching is a rewarding career, it can also be overwhelming, especially at first. Developing a strong classroom management strategy as quickly as possible will help ensure you survive those early teaching days with confidence.

Set Boundaries From the Start

If you’re new to becoming a teacher, it might be tempting to try and be friends with your students at first. The most successful teachers are those who establish clear and firm boundaries, expectations, structure, and consequences from day one. If you fail to do this, it will be difficult to establish authority later. The last thing a new teacher wants is an out-of-control classroom, so setting boundaries from the start is a must. 

Follow the Routine 

Young children thrive on structure, and they enjoy knowing what’s coming next. Use a large colorful schedule as an outline for their day. When kids know what’s going to occur throughout the day, they are much more likely to cooperate. You can make a mundane routine more fun by making up a short and simple song during clean up or hand washing. Songs are an excellent way to help young students remember multiple steps and classroom rules. 

Include Movement 

Young children have short attention spans, and tend to bore quickly, so planning short lessons are very effective. Try and incorporate some type of movement in between your activities, such as light stretching exercises. Young children aren’t meant to sit still for long periods of time. 

Model Positive Behavior 

An important factor in developing an effective strategy involves modeling the behavior you wish to see. How do you want your students to behave? Make sure to showcase this behavior yourself on a consistent basis. 

Make Students Feel Involved 

Rules are more effective when students are involved with the introduction process. When you explain the rules on the first day of class, don’t just talk at your students. Invite questions and feedback on the rules. If students feel invested in the rules, they’ll be much more likely to follow them. 

Get their Attention 

Before giving students instructions, make sure you have their full attention first. Consider using an object with sound, such as a bell, and introduce it into the classroom right away. Whenever you ring the bell, your students will know they’re expected to stop whatever they’re doing and listen. 

Keep Your Classroom Organized 

It’s difficult to find time for yourself when you’re in a classroom full of students, so it’s imperative that you’re able to find everything you need for an activity in a hurry. You risk losing control in your classroom, if you’re busy digging through bins, while your students are left to their own devices. It’s very important to keep your classroom tidy and consider labeling everything to help you locate items faster. 

Follow Through with Your Plan 

If you want to build trust with your students and parents, you must follow through with your classroom management strategies. For example, if you tell a parent you’re going to call at a certain time, be sure to call on time. Being consistent and following through with what you say you’re going to do is key to a successful parent/teacher/student relationship. 

Ready to Start Creating Your Own Plan? 

Interested in becoming a teacher? You can learn more about effective classroom management strategies by choosing a reputable early childhood education program. Contact Athena Career Academy for more information on how to get started soon. We offer a great program taught by caring faculty with no wait list and flexible class times.