List of Rules for Toddlers

[Core12]

I’m going to create a list of rules...does anyone have a list on a document you would like to share?

[Cat Herder]

This feels like a setup. ::

What's the punchline?

[Blackcat31]

Rules for parents in regards to their toddler's or classroom rules for toddler's themselves to follow?

Or did you mean something like this:

Toddler Property Laws
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it’s mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it’s broken, it’s yours!

[Pestle]

Ha!

I read some very good advice once that schools with discipline problems tend to try to handle situations by creating a rule against that particular situation. This means that the kids with problem behaviors always stay one step ahead of the school, which isn't prohibiting antisocial behavior; it is only prohibiting specific behaviors that kids can easily act around. Much better to have general rules about respect and safety, instead of specific rules.

[Cat Herder]

1. If you do it for me all I learn is that you do it better than me.

2. Teach me to do good, not just be good.

[Rockgirl]

Our rules are very simple here:

Be safe.
Be kind.

That pretty much covers it for toddlers/preschoolers!

[Pestle]

Our rules are very simple here:

Be safe.
Be kind.

That pretty much covers it for toddlers/preschoolers!

Bingo!

My rules are:

-The first rule is that we keep our bodies safe
-We help. We don't hurt

Everything else is nested under those rules. Some of the "everything else" is applied 100% of the time and inflexibly, like "do not touch the gates" and "do not open or close doors." But it's always framed as part of the big rules and I make them think about why the particular application is there. "You may not open my gate. The gate is here to keep you safe. If you open the gate, what will the baby do?" And "When you screamed, how did your friend's ears feel?"

[Mom2Two]

I think it would be hard to print a list of rules to pin up, if that's what you're aiming for.

I teach things like polite eating and compassion, but I just introduce it as the childrens' development progresses. It's more about what is developmentally appropriate rather than arbitrary rules.

But there are a few things that I find myself saying a lot:

Be nice to the toys
Be nice to my house
Be nice to each other

Kinda covers a lot

[Bluemoon5]

First, do no harm.

To each other, to yourself, to toys, furniture, etc.

[Mom2Two]

I do use the word "rules" quite a bit though, to remind kids of limits.

We were just outside and I found myself reminding one child that using the badminton raquets to hit the larger, heavier balls was "against the rules" (they're not strong enough for that). But the kid I was telling is older and I expect him to remember stuff like that. He's a bit of a boundary tester.

I don't think I could type a list out of stuff like that though. For one thing, it would read pretty weird.

[racemom]

We use pictures for our rules board,

Be nice to your friends
Walking feet inside
Listening ears
Quiet voices
Play together with friends and toys

[Core12]

Thanks!

Yes, just looking for rules like “walking feet inside” etc

[AmyKidsCo]

No hurting.

That covers people and property, physical and verbal, etc.

[CeriBear]

Simple rules stated positively— what we should do rather than what we shouldn’t do.

Walking feet
Quiet voices
Listening ears
Kind words
Gentle hands
Be nice
Be safe

[storybookending]

I bought a sign the other day that says

“Dream big. Use kind words. Say I love you. Laugh. Giggle. Be silly. Share. Say please and thank you. Keep your promises. Be grateful. Help others & don’t whine. Take a moment to breathe. Try new things. Keep calm & carry on. Laugh out loud”

I think it sums up my daycare rules pretty well, none of my kiddos can read though hahaha