Kindergarten Behavior Activities
In most cases, kindergarten is a child's very first experience with peers and proper social behavior expectations. For many of them, this will be the first time they are expected to sit still and silent, form a line and ask permission to use the bathroom. There are behavior activities you can have them do that will help further their set of social and behavior skills. Learning these skills and behaviors at an age where they are most impressionable is critical.
Other People Are Reading
-
Behavior Chart
-
A behavior chart can be effective if used properly. Place each student's name on the chart, preferably in alphabetical order and in different colors so the student can easily find his name. Every time a student properly displays classroom behavior such as raising his hand to ask a question, waiting his turn to speak, sharing classroom books and toys and using kind words toward a classmate, place a sticker next to his name.
Circle Time
-
Set aside some time where the children can sit around in a circle and take turns sharing with each other what makes them happy and angry about being in a group. Topics for discussion can also be sharing, politeness, playing fair and conversation skills. This activity allows the children to hear how their behavior makes others happy or sad and how to act with each other in groups.
-
Sing Along
-
Kindergarten students love to sing songs. You can use this to your advantage and encourage proper behavior. Consider spending time with the kids singing songs like, "Cool Kind Kid" or "Don't Laugh At Me," which encourage children to be kind to one another. Read them the lyrics and explain what they mean. Have them sing along so they can learn the lyrics and remember them more easily. Also, print or draw images that give a visual representation of what the lyrics are about.
Behavior Bingo
-
Make bingo cards with each individual box containing a positive behavior such as politeness, sharing, helping, caring and playing fair. Make sure each card has a different configuration of words so the game can be played just like regular bingo. You can print free bingo sheets from Print-Bingo.com with your own text inside the boxes. You can act out each of the positive behaviors, and the children have to figure out which one it is so they can fill up their bingo cards.
Considerations
-
Depending on what specific behaviors you are trying to reinforce, you may want to try different methods. Games, charts and sing-alongs are just a few examples of what are at your disposal. You may want to just use trial and error and see what works best with your students.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit child image by saied shahinkiya from Fotolia.com
