How to handle an out of control kindergarten class
Constant talking, physical boundaries being crossed, and chaotic fights make it impossible to establish classroom control without yelling or waiting for an injury to occur. This leaves teachers feeling unsupported by low staffing, deeply ashamed, and ready to walk away entirely.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Trying being short and serious
- 2Repeating procedures until students get it right
- 3Being super firm with consequences
- 4Reading professional development books like Conscious Classroom Management
- 5Banning them completely from the classroom or school
- 6Allowing them only as tools rather than toys with strict rules
- 7Confiscating them and holding them until the end of the school year
- 8pulling the child out of the class and waiting until they are older
- 9switching to alternative activities like soccer or gymnastics
- 10practicing sitting and listening through library story time
- 11using home video playlists or practicing redirection techniques
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“It was constantly an issue. Some kids would bring 5+ to class. They would share them, trade them, then fight over it. They would pop/tear them and make a mess.”source ↗
“A second one popped on the carpet in my classroom this week. I am making everyone leave them at home”source ↗
“I’m teaching kindergarten (14 kids) and they are feral. I am struggling so bad with blurting, kids talking non stop, not keeping their hands, feet, or anything to themselves.”source ↗
“I can’t seem to get control unless someone actually gets hurt then they finally shut up for a minute.”source ↗
“I’m at a loss and just want to walk away. I’m embarrassed and ashamed.”source ↗
“I stopped allowing them in class because they were popping them at least once or twice a week and making a huge distraction out of it. They also messed the floor up so bad the janitor had to spot clean it with a paint scraper.”source ↗
“They dont listen to us unless we rise our voices and taht gets tiring quickly.”source ↗
“We feel like we don't have any support from the director because we are soo slow staffed.”source ↗
“This week alone there was so much fights just chaos.”source ↗
“I’m going through the same thing with my 4 yr old in Karate.”source ↗
“By the third day more than have of the class were had them and they were a super distraction that I halted all use of them.”source ↗
“Our kids started slicing them open with scissors. Hard ban school wide.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5How to handle a chaotic last period elective class
- 7What do you call students who copy or police classroom instructions?
- 2Kindergarteners coming to school not potty trained
- 6How to stop feeling like a full-time maid for young kids
- 6How to balance classroom control with letting students talk
- 12Why does my toddler act out only with me?