Common Preschool Behavior Problems

As a preschool teacher, you’ll deal with all sorts of difficulties in your classrooms, but these are the most common preschool behavior problems.

POTTY TRAINING

• Children must be potty trained before coming to our preschool, but there will still be accidents here and there.  However, if a child is having a weekly accident, parents should be informed that they need to work on keeping their child dry during preschool.  If a child is having daily accidents, that child is not potty trained and needs to be withdrawn.
• For 3-year-olds, schedule routine potty breaks 2x per 2.5-hr. class.  Usually 45 minutes after class starts, and again an hour later (or find a good schedule that works for you.)  For the children who are resistant to use the potty, make a game out of it with a sticker chart.

TRANSITIONS

• Always warn before a transition: “In 5 minutes we’re going to clean up.”  Don’t assume everyone heard you.  For the children you know have a particularly difficult time transitioning, get on their level, look them in the eye, and then tell them.  Discuss their activity if needed, such as: “Let’s take the next 5 minutes to build blocks, and then it will be time to clean them up. Okay?”
• Signal transition with song or bell.
• Make a game out of transitions: “Who can clean up 10 toys?”
• For more information, please review this article about the Best Preschool Transitions.

COMING IN AFTER RECESS

Make a game out of it: Try counting down energetically from 10-1 to see who can get in line before the countdown is up.  Give a high five to each child as they get in line.

NOT OBEYING THE TEACHER

• Start the child with 3-5 stickers (paper clipped, not stuck, on a paper).  Let them know that each time they don’t obey, they’ll need to give you a sticker.  At the end of the day, they get to take home as many stickers as they’ve earned.  (Still offer a warning/reminder if they’re not obeying before removing a sticker.)
• If necessary, include the parent in the discussion so they know if today was a good day or not, letting them know you will give them a thumbs up or thumbs down at pickup time.  If has a thumbs down, the parent can talk to you after to see what was wrong. (Only give a thumbs down if the day was bad enough that you want parents’ help with encouraging better behavior.)

WANDERING THE CLASSROOM

• Change your circle time routine so that you begin with a fun activity that child will participate in (“Animal Action” song is a fun one!)  
• Shorten your circle time as needed.  As their attention span lengthens through the year, your circle times can get longer.
• Check out this great article about What to Do During Your Preschool Opening Circle Time.

We would be remiss if we didn’t include 2 additional preschool behavior concerns, even though they are more rare. So without further ado: here are 2 RARE behavior difficulties you might see in your preschool classroom.

NOTE: With all situations below (and other difficult behaviors not listed), discuss with both parents separately (phone calls would be appropriate) and retain confidentiality by not disclosing to any parent who the other child in the situation was.  In the future, you may need to be a little closer to the aggressive child to prevent situations where biting/hitting is most likely to occur (when children are in his/her space, during centers, or during recess).

RARE: BITING

• Child who was bit: If it broke the skin, let the parents know they should go to a doctor to see if they need a tetanus shot.
• Child who bit: Inform the director, then let the parents know that if it happens again their child won’t be allowed to stay at preschool.  

RARE: HITTING/AGGRESSION

Child who hits: Partner with the parents with a thumbs up/thumbs down (or sticker chart) for good days.  If not improving and students are being hurt frequently, inform the director; a behavior plan will need to be put in place in order for the child to stay at preschool.

We hope these preschool behavior problems don’t become common-place in your preschool classroom, but instead that you’re able to use the strategies listed to help your preschoolers have a great time in your classroom!