Good habits for students is key to setting them on a path for success in education. Kindergarten is a great time to begin.
Kindergarten is a big year for students. It can be a time of trials and tribulations as they learn the ins and outs of the educational world.
While students are going through this transition, it’s a great opportunity to teach them some great habits to carry on throughout their educational careers as well as their day to day lives.
There are so many good habits we want our students to have, so how do we choose which ones to tackle? Here are 10 good habits to learn in kindergarten.
Good habits for students is key to setting them on a path for success in education. Kindergarten is a great time to begin. Click To Tweet#10 Following Directions
As adults, we are used to following directions. Whether those are directions we got for a recipe or from the law, we learn and abide by them. One thing that can be hard for kindergarten students when they first come to school is following directions.
You can teach them how to follow basic directions in the classroom like how to answer or ask a question (by raising your hand and waiting to be called on) or how to line up properly.
You can also teach students how to follow directions on a worksheet or during a game to get the most points possible.
You can also teach students how to follow directions on a worksheet or during a game to get the most points possible.
There are several ways to teach this skill. You can practice classroom procedures or you can make a game out of it. Whenever a student follows directions, give him/her a sticker.
Once they collect so many stickers, give them a “Good Listener” badge. You can create badges for other good habits and challenge students to “collect them all.”
#9 Waiting Your Turn
Waiting is one of the hardest things we have to do in our lives. Look around today and see how many people you see patiently waiting for their turn.
Often while people wait today, they are on their phone playing a game, catching up on social media, or talking to someone. Very rarely do we just stand and wait and since this something we don’t do, our kids don’t see it happen often.
One of the best ways to teach kids anything is to model for them. Kindergartners need to know how to wait their turn because they may or may not have had to in the past depending on their family dynamic.
#8 Organization
Organizing can be really difficult especially when you have never had to do it before. Often times when kids get to kindergarten, they haven’t really had to organize for themselves. Teaching them organizing skills is a great habit to develop not only for kindergarten but their entire educational career.
I know a high school teacher or two who would be nodding their heads yelling, “PLEASE TEACH THEM TO ORGANIZE!” Developing this habit in kindergarten will help them have everything together for each class making your day run smoothly. In addition, it teaches them how to organize for themselves in the future which makes them more likely to succeed.
Teach students how to organize by color coding their folders and areas of the classroom. You can also teach organizational skills by having an “Master Organizer” badge. If students keep their desk organized they earn points towards their badge.
#7 Cleaning Up Supplies
Learning how to clean up after yourself is a habit that some adults haven’t developed 100% (and sometimes I’m one of them). The nice thing is, you can “train” kindergarten students to clean up after themselves.
Once you teach them that everything has a place and you should put it back in its “home,” you will have an easier time keeping your classroom nice and organized. In addition, students may take this habit home with them and their parents will be forever grateful if it does.
Once you teach them that everything has a place and you should put it back in its “home,” you will have an easier time keeping your classroom nice and organized. In addition, students may take this habit home with them and their parents will be forever grateful if it does.
#6 Transitioning from Room to Room
If your kindergarten students are like most kids, they have one speed, and that is fast. Often times students want to be the “first” one to get to the next destination.
Teaching students how to walk in a line in kindergarten will make their elementary career so much easier! One of the first places students usually get in trouble is in line. One way to teach students is to teach them the “Bubble Bee” method.
What is the “Bubble Bee” method? Have each student catch a “bee” (or any creature) and hold it in their hands. Then have them catch a bubble in their mouths. With their hands in front of them and a bubble in their mouth, they won’t be able to talk or touch others.
#5 Sharing
This habit has two sides to it. You want to make sure students are good at sharing, but you don’t want them to share too much. Teach students you should share toys and supplies when needed, but you don’t want to share germs.
Kindergarten students usually have no concept of what germs do, so if you can, try to deter them from sharing water bottles and to “cover up.”
You can teach students how share by giving a pod a certain number of supplies that everyone will need. Tell the students they will be graded on how well they share the supplies needed to complete the project.
#4 Cover Up
As mentioned, you want kids to learn how to share, but you don’t want them to share too much. Teaching students to cover their cough in kindergarten is a good way to prevent unnecessary germ sharing.
The fact of the matter is kids are going to get sick from each other. Even though this is a fact, we can do our part to prevent too many illnesses from spreading by teaching students to cough into their arms.
In addition to teaching the “cover up” habit, teaching students to wash their hands regularly can also help the spreading of germs.
#3 Manners
One of the best habits to teach kindergarten student is manners! Manners are a little thing that can go a long way in every aspect of life. You can start by teaching students the basic manners such as:
- Saying please and thank you
- Sharing
- Using kind words
- Saying “Excuse me” when necessary
When you teach students to say please and thank you and to use kind words. You are creating a habit of kindness which will take them far, both inside and outside of the classroom.
You can reinforce this behavior by giving them manner stars that can be later turned into a “Manner Badge.” (Remember you want to collect them all).
#2 Healthy Eating
While we typically develop our eating habits at home, it’s no secret that kids love sugar. Teaching kindergarten students how to eat healthy (while still having some sugar) is a great habit to engrain into students.
When students know they should have a balanced diet of meat, vegetables, fruits, breads, and sweets, they are more likely to live a healthier lifestyle.
How to teach this habit? Create a food chart for your students. Every time they eat something from a food group, have them add it to their food chart.
Finally, you can analyze the data as a class and talk about good eating habits and bad eating habits without being crude to those who may be made bad choices.
#1 Positive Talk
This habit is one of the most important habits students can develop in kindergarten. If you watch the news, scroll on Facebook, or browse other social media, it is apparent that depression and anxiety are on the rise.
Teaching students to use phrases like “I can” or “I’m smart” instead of “I can’t” or “I’m dumb” will help their self-confidence and increase their ability to do well in school. Students who practice positive self-talk and make it a habit do better because they believe in themselves.
You can teach positive self-talk by modeling the behavior yourself. Show students how to be kind to yourself by being kind to yourself and kind to them as well.
There are so many good habits to instill in your kindergarten students whether you are a teacher or a parent. All of these habits are habits that will help them not only now, but in the future as well. Help your kindergartener learn these 10 good habits today to create a happier tomorrow.
What are some ways that you help your students form good habits? Share them below and help other teachers start their students on the path to success!
Until Next Time Educational Rockstars,
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