Secrets to Help Determine and Use Kindergarten Classroom Rules

If students are off the wall when you come back from a school break or long weekend, or if students just need a little reminder. It may be time to go over your kindergarten classroom rules again!

Teachers know how important rules and expectations are in the classroom. Right from the first day of school, you must be clear about what you expect from your students. Having good classroom management makes the year easier and less stressful, plus students often thrive in an environment that is well managed and where they know what is expected of them. But, sometimes, students need a reset, especially our littlest kindergarteners.

Are Rules and Expectations Important in the Classroom?

There is only one answer to this question, and that answer is YES! Rules and expectations must be set in every classroom at the beginning of the school year. There are many reasons kindergarten classroom rules are important, but here are the main ones.

Safety

Obviously, if you have ever walked into a kindergarten classroom, you know that safety is only of the most important reasons we have to have rules in the classroom. Students need to understand that we walk, talk in quiet voices, and respect each other’s personal space. They also need to understand how to sit at desks, in chairs, line up, etc. These activities require students to be safe, which means expectations and kindergarten classroom rules must be set. 

A Learning Environment 

When kindergarteners walk into the school, it may be their first time being in a school setting or their first time being in a school setting for 5 days a week for an extended time. Students often need to learn how to behave in different environments. By setting up procedures, expectations, and rules in the classroom, you are helping them learn how to behave in a school environment. 

Steady and Smooth

When students know how to line up properly, grab their supplies, or sit on the rug. It makes it easier to go through your school day. Things will happen in your classroom without confusion, and when directions or expectations are given, students know what to do. You won’t find yourself repeating directions over and over and will be able to get through a lesson easier and faster.  

Without clear expectations, there will be problems, and the classroom environment will feel uneasy for students. This can lead to confusion, hostility, and frustration when expectations clash. 

Kindergarten Classroom Rules

Let me tell you a little story. When I first started my teaching internship, my professors always said it was about “respect and relationships.” If you showed your students respect and built relationships with them, they would behave. It sounded like the greatest and easiest thing to implement. Although I believe building a relationship and mutual respect is very important when it comes to a classroom community and getting students to behave. It is not the only important aspect. Students need to know what you expect from them inside the classroom. 

Whether it is the first week of school or your classroom needs a little reset, it’s important to know what classroom expectations, procedures, and rules you want to implement in your classroom. If you search “kindergarten classroom rules,” the results will seem endless (trust me, I’ve done it.) Below I put together a little list of some good ones.

• Treat others with respect at all times.
• Listen to the teacher when s/he speaks.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• We use kind words.
• Be prepared every day with the required items.
• Respect other people’s property.
• Listen and follow directions.

I also like to have certain procedures in place as well. Although these are not “kindergarten classroom rules” per se, I want students to treat them as such. Some important procedures I review after long breaks or at the beginning of the year are:

• Bathroom routine
• Lining up/walking in the hall
• Rug behavior (check this out) 
• Circle time 
• Lunch procedure
• Recess expectations 

Classroom Reset

If you find yourself sitting at your desk with your head in your hands, frustrated about how the classroom is running, don’t worry! We have all been there. Some years are easier than others, and some groups of students are harder than others. It will be ok. You’ll figure it out! One piece of advice I always give new kindergarten teachers is, “it’s ok to reset and start over.” 

Kids easily forget things. Their backpacks are left on hooks, their lunches can be forgotten in their backpack all weekend, and they very easily forget the expectations in the classroom after a school break or long weekend. Having visuals like the above helps students remember what is expected of them. If your students come back and are struggling with remembering or following the school rules for kindergarten, it is ok to do a reset.

But what does a reset look like? 

The Basics

Head back to the basics. This means you want to think about all of the basic things you expect your kids to do and review those. The basic expectations for the classroom may be things like:

• Raising hands
• Being respectful.
• Walking in the classroom.
• Supply routine 
• Morning/Afternoon pack up 

These simple routines and procedures are often the messiest and the least reviewed because we view them as so simple that there is no way kids will forget or not follow them. But that’s actually the opposite of what normally happens! 

Student Involvement

We know just talking to our students will not help reset their brains and bodies. Many students will tune out or miss the important aspects of the lesson because a bird is on the branch outside the window or there is a mark on their shoe because, ya know, it’s kindergarten. 

You may want to create a T-chart for each routine. One side of the chart may be labeled “the right way,” and the other side is “the wrong way.” Fill in “the wrong way” with the incorrect things you see. If you are focusing on your hallway behavior, some things that may be on this side of the chart are talking, running, touching other friends while in line, etc. Have your students work with you to fill in “the right way” side.  Discuss what each rule/procedure looks like, sounds like, etc. 

Engaging Activities 

Role-playing is a lot of fun in kindergarten. When resetting your classroom, have student volunteer and role-play different scenarios. Discuss what is wrong in the scenario and how the students could fix it and have them act it out again but this time the right way. 

If your students struggle with treating each other with respect, kindness, empathy, etc., you’ll definitely want to reset that behavior. Talking about complete activities focused on those concepts is not a bad idea. You can find a bunch of classroom community activities here. 

Kindergarten Classroom Management 

When it comes to kindergarten classroom management, there is a lot you need to think about. The little ones in your classroom need a lot of love, nurturing, and learning, and it can be hard to figure out exactly where to set strong expectations and where to be a little more relaxed. 

If you are struggling with this or just want to refresh, I suggest my Classroom Management Reboot course. During this FREE 5-Day Email Course, we will talk about common classroom management struggles and quick and easy-to-use ideas, FREEBIES, and strategies to apply immediately with your class!

Just click the picture below.

Setting and reviewing kindergarten classroom rules will make your school year or the rest of your school year much easier! Just remember, students need structure. They need to know how to behave in different environments, and they need a steady and smooth classroom!