CHILDREN NEED TRAINING – CONTINUED

The working habits developed with and for children are part of sound routine and procedure. These habits (go) beyond classroom rules and guidelines because they are about individual training. These habits and work attributes include the following.

1. Desk habits include holding a pencil, maintaining paper position, and maintaining writing posture.

2. Use loose sheets of paper, including storage in books and files.

3. Gluing paper (right places) and fixing it into workbooks.

4. Using cloth for wiping up spills. The teacher may rinse the cloth occasionally with children trained to use it automatically to wipe up spills.

5. Correct school bag and lunch box storage with bags and boxes stowed by habit at the start of the school day or the end of lunch eating periods. Included are refrigerator opening and closing procedures, recess and lunch eating habits, and rubbish and wrapper disposal.

6. Movement habits in and around school buildings, including places for walking, running, and playing. Hats are on and off, depending on the area of play. Lining up and readying procedures at the end of recess and lunchtime is part of the ‘movement and motion’ strategy.

Training and establishing routines and procedures MUST be the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY in any classroom at the start of

the school year. Once these processes are in place, then learning can occur. Habits are important. I have read that it takes twenty-two days for a habit, good or bad, to establish. Once established, practice and adherence ensure they stay in place

While it takes time to implement these strategies, it is well spent. Good classroom habits and practices complement class rules and procedures and ensure things go smoothly. The time initially spent on this ordering returns tenfold in benefit terms because interruptions and disruptions are avoided. Boundaries are established. Expectations that have been discussed and programmed unfold practically daily in support of the class, teaching, learning and development.

[The pity is that as children move up the grades or experience different teachers on rotation, the training can lapse, and attitudes can deteriorate. Reinforcement and gentle reminders are necessary. The most important is the need for the school A principal or delegate to ensure that incoming teachers are aware of the need to establish procedures with the class in the ways already discussed. Each teacher must develop their overall routines, procedures and expectations. They are not inherited and don’t pass from one teacher to the next.]

To be continued