Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Classroom noise management

    Posted 01-14-2021 02:20 PM
    Hello, I'm the Director/Full-time teacher in our 3 and 4-year-old classroom. I have been having a lot of problems with the class noise level. We are a very play-based center and the children have lots of free time to explore and play both indoors and out. We currently have 12 kids in the class but it will soon be 16. I would say they are engaged in some sort of independent or group game 85%  of the time and not just running and yelling. I understand it will be loud and look messy, but I feel for the last 8 months it has been excessively loud. I'm looking for some ideas on how to address this with the kids or ideas of something to change in the environment to help with this. Here are things that I have tried and don't seem to help.

    1) Making sure they have a variety of things to keep them engaged. So they aren't just wandering and either creating conflict or just plain running and yelling out of boredom 

    2) Making sure they have plenty of outside time every day, year-round.

    3)`Modeling using appropriate voices. Not yelling at them to be quiet, addressing them at their level in a calm voice. (they just seem to outnumber me and it is a neverending battle)

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    Shelby Leary
    Director
    University Kids
    Wdm IA
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  • 2.  RE: Classroom noise management

    Posted 01-15-2021 09:58 AM
    Just another idea to send along....to help establish a calming tone in the classroom and add soothing sounds while not overpowering the children’s voices, I played light classical music, yoga/meditation sounds as well as nature sounds for variety. I found the music helped frame our choice time in this way and helped the children focus on their play and not be so loud that talking with each other and with teachers could still take place. These days there are so many choices for this type of music - it might also inspire some new instruments for your music center (or making)!
    Enjoy,
    Marilyn Brink




  • 3.  RE: Classroom noise management

    Posted 01-15-2021 11:23 AM
    Shelby,

    You could try using a visual cue, such as a classroom stop light which allows children to see when the noise volume is too high and self regulate.

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    Larisa Moe
    Professional Development Specialist
    Child Care Connections
    Helena MT
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  • 4.  RE: Classroom noise management

    Posted 01-15-2021 02:39 PM
    Hi, Shelby.
    Do your students get a little noisy or chatty during independent work time? This post has 5 tips to help you keep your classroom noise level under control!
    learningattheprimarypond.com


    Patricia Lanzon, PhD
    Pre-Education Program Director & Faculty
    Health and Human Services
    Henry Ford College

    "It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment." - Cicero






  • 5.  RE: Classroom noise management

    Posted 01-15-2021 11:50 PM
    Hello Shelby, I also used to have a problem with the noise level. We had vinyl flooring and it turned out that the voices were bouncing off the walls and creating the loudness. It subsided greatly when we put carpet on half the classroom. Just an idea to consider.

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    Shariya Dhammapala
    Olympia WA
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