Hello,

I just wanted to say hi... Also, I am very sorry if sometimes I don't express myself really really well when I wright on these forums. I am mostly a francophone. I have a base in English but I might have mistakes or things I don't wright or express well.

I am an early childhood educator. I have a group of 8 children aged from 2 and 1/2 years old to 3 and 1/2. I have lost many jobs and I have gotten this job I have a few weeks (maybe 12 at the most). I really like working at this new place and with these kids. I don't want to lose yet another job... I have been in so many day care centers I don't even remember them all... Anyhow, I would really appreciate it if I could find new strategies to gain and maintain a good group discipline ( I'm not sure that how you would say it n English). I would like to get a few pointers to make my days a bit more livable.

Welcome! You expressed yourself very clearly. You might like to check out our teacher's section. We also have a private teacher's forum you could join if you wanted to contact Andi the moderator of that section. We always are batting good ideas around -- you've come to the right place!

Take care!
Scattered

There are no places, no forums in French (believe me I looked). I have joined the teacher's lounge but I havent seen anything that I can relate to... Well, I'll keep looking for usefull infos. But I still want to ask if anyone heard anything or has new tips.

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=272358&postcount=28

Welcome Genevieve,
I hope you find something that helps here. What kind of problems do you have with work? Where would you like to improve? Perhaps if we knew this, we could give you some ideas on our coping methods.
You may find some hints in the resourses/tools area or the career/job impact area also.
Best wishes,
rainraven

The problems (the biggest ones) I encounter is that I can't seem to be able (i'm not sure how to express it) I can't seem to be able to maintain discipline of the kids during the times I have to have them change activities (for example: between 2 activities, having the kids clean up after themselves after game time, having the group be more calm before bed time) I have trouble keeping their attention when I read stories before naptime. I have trouble making the whole group respect rules (like sitting down to eat lunch)... And weirdly enough my problems occure all before naptime... After naptime they seem so calm... And I believe it might have something to do with me... Because let's face it they are kids. I don't know...

There are no places, no forums in French (believe me I looked). I have joined the teacher's lounge but I havent seen anything that I can relate to... Well, I'll keep looking for usefull infos. But I still want to ask if anyone heard anything or has new tips.Ask your own questions and get the ball rolling inthe teacher's section.:)

Kids frequently misbehaving before nap time because they're tired. Kids always act worse, when they're tired, hungry, or sick. Also if nap time is right after lunch and they're also misbehaving before lunch they may be dealing with low blood sugar (or high blood sugar after lunch if they ate a bunch of junk food) Exercise might help get off some of that energy. Also lunch is a less structured time and kids will have more tendency to misbehave during less structured times.

Scattered

But I can not allow kids to be running around before naptime and not be sitting down during lunch or shout there head off when it is time to sleep... I am looking for tips on how to help me structure these periods.

Right, so post it there as "what are some things that have worked for any of you if you've had students who behave this way." In the private forum, you can give specific areas of trouble for you. You can be as open as you want, in a safe environment. :) The good news is that you're actively trying to find ways to improve yourself.