When a group is not positively engaged, it can be had to get everyone back on track. That is why it is important to take a proactive approach to group management.
Use these five strategies to improve your group management:
- Building Rapport. Whether it is through get-to-know-you games, one-on-one conversations, secret handshakes, or silly claps and cheers, rapport helps develop the mutual respect needed to experience positive group behavior.
- Attention Getters and Signals. Playful attention getters and other signals add fun to your program while make it easier to see and hear instructions needed to accomplish the next task.
- Transitions, Openings, and Closings. Transitions can make or break a day! Adding a check-in to the beginning and end of the day can make all the difference, as can adding a simple game, such as follow the leader, to move from one space to another.
- Learning Style. Whether visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, people learn best from a variety of learning styles. So when leading a group, don’t just tell them your instructions, show them. Have them practice with their movements.
- Rules and Consequences. If you have clear and simple rules and consistent follow through on those rules, kids know what to expect—which creates a safe environment for everyone to succeed.
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