Amelia, sometimes what Tammy says does work but that depends on what you present yourself to be to them. If you have very little patience than that job might not be for you. But if you do then maybe you should try and clap your hands in there face, just the palms to get there attention. The main thing is to maintain control of the room no matter what.

Right time out works and after the time out I get them to tell me why they had a time out. Then we talk about why it is important for them to listen and follow directions. Of course this is for the older k ones that understand what is what. Good Luck every child is different so we have to handle each individual accordingly. They really make my day. I have 9 grandchildren ranging from the age 5-13 years old. Also about 10 God children, 1 God grand daughter, 5 foster children I raised and now I want some twin grandchdren.

When I babysit I always ask the parents if the children won't listen or misbehave what they usually do - for example some have a time out corner or chair where they put the kids for a certain amount of minutes when they are misbehaving - I definitely agree with Sasha, though. Distraction is useful. If you are trying to make dinner but the kids are getting frustrated or something like that turning on a tv show or directing them to a new game is helpful for half an hour or so.

I worked as a nanny many years ago, three children ages 8, 5 and 3 and, they could be a handful. My best tactic was distraction. If they got cranky, tired or hyper and started acting up or bickering with each other, I'd quickly refocus them and change gears for them. It worked every time. It's certainly a different tactic than you'd use with your own children because you can't really punish someone else's children in your care. They know this so threats are empty.

I'll try and make a new way with you Ms. Danoff..... First never bribe, pay, or offer an incentive to young children to correct, change, or develop normal human growth and development. "You STOP THAT", "SIT DOWN as I am telling you", and " You're not going to do that because I said so" are regular adult commands to help direct and mold childhood behavior. Now I have a very effective way of getting parents to help that situation. I simply tell the parents that I am NOT going to have your child come back to my daycare or learning environment until YOU(the parents) can control and instill discipline with your child. I'm way to busy to to monitor his/her bad behavior and teach at the same time. He'll not talk back to me nor will he disobey my request as he/she is a child. Now I'm telling you that if you loose your temper, call that child names, hit or push that child down or segregate the child then you'll be in front of a professional ethics or discipline board discussing your future. You just do your job and make parents do their job. Have the bad ass child be at home for 3 or 4 days with his parents and see how quickly they respond to you. As a former CPS worker I promise you that I will get a report about ANYTHING that you've done to this child and how unfair that you have been. My next move is to charge you and everything else is going to be down hill for you. Put the parents on notice to keep that difficult problem out of your class and or find a new daycare for them. You'll last longer that way.