So you want to teach? Props to you! You won't be sorry! While children are a challenge, they bring with them the opportunity for you to experience being important, being loved, and seeing the difference you are making!
When you are teaching preschool or toddlers - and this goes for parents at home, I must say - setting the stage is essential. Structure is key. Children are new to the world. They don't know what to do with themselves. That is why we TEACH them! And what are we teaching them? Teachers and parents must start with a goal in mind and know where they are taking the children.
We all have days where we are just trying to get by. I admit I have had the thought... "I can't wait until nap time!" But raising children is not about getting through the day. When I teach, I keep in mind who I want the child to become. The choices I make need to reflect this value.
This starts with you as the teacher. What are your goals for the children? When they are ten do you want them growling and hitting people? Not likely, so we should focus on addressing this behavior and giving childen the words to say. Begin by deciding what are your values? What kind of class do you want to have? What do you want to impart to the children?
This is going to start with modeling. You must do what you want the children to be doing. I recently watched one of my toddlers put a stuffed monkey in a chair and scold "TIME OUT! NO HIT!" While it was kind of cute, and I don't want them to hit, I don't want them to learn to shout at their monkeys... or each other. This was a wake up call to me not to get too frustrated when a child misbehaves.
Another time previously I watched my kids stomp on ants for no reason. I certainly didn't want them killing things for no reason! So after that I stopped killing spiders in front of the kids. I started using a jar and cardboard to throw the thing outside. And now we spent this whole week randomly watching spider in the backyard build a web. I want the kids to respect life, so I need to show them that I do.
These are some tips for setting the mood in a preschool classroom:
*Smile. Look like you WANT to be there!
*Keep your own voice low and calm. If the children are being loud, get quieter! This way they will have to calm down to hear you.
*Walk over to a child to talk to him or her. Don't shout across the room.
*Be positive. As much as possible avoid saying 'No' and 'Don't.' These words have more impact if you save them for times that are serious. "No biting!" is something serious you want them to understand is important. It won't have the same effect if you say "NO NO NO NO NO" all the time. Ever heard the joke "Hi, my name is 'No, no, bad dog"? Yeah. Instead of "Don't climb on the table," say "Feet on the floor." Instead of "No touching" say "That's for later."
*Remember that kids are new to the world. They don't know that if they pull the page it will rip. For that, that is all part of the exploration. Cause and effect. BE PATIENT and tell them, "When we pull the pages like that the book will rip and we won't be able to use it. Let's turn the page like this."
*Remember that YOU are the one in charge. Don't be scared! They are a bunch of two and three year olds! Worst case scenario you can pick them up and carry them someplace else. Have a controlled attitude and demeanor. No matter what chaos is ensuing always have in your mind that you are the adult and this is YOUR class. You can handle this and these kids are going to learn the rules... eventually.
*Keep that long term goal in mind. Do you want the children barging their way into conversations when they are 20 years old? Not likely. So don't pass up an opportunity to teach children that someone else is using something and they need to wait their turn. It might be easy to give the child her blanket when she is screaming, but if it is time for blankets to be put away you will only be teaching the child that she gets her way by throwing a fit. Keep the long term goal in mind. A few minutes of screaming won't matter once the children develops a lifetime of good habits.
*Be prepared. Have a plan, gather your supplies, and be ready for the day.
*Take care of yourself! If you are sick and stressed out, you aren't going to be any good to anyone.
Once you are physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to teach, go for it! The next step is setting up.
When you are teaching preschool or toddlers - and this goes for parents at home, I must say - setting the stage is essential. Structure is key. Children are new to the world. They don't know what to do with themselves. That is why we TEACH them! And what are we teaching them? Teachers and parents must start with a goal in mind and know where they are taking the children.
We all have days where we are just trying to get by. I admit I have had the thought... "I can't wait until nap time!" But raising children is not about getting through the day. When I teach, I keep in mind who I want the child to become. The choices I make need to reflect this value.
This starts with you as the teacher. What are your goals for the children? When they are ten do you want them growling and hitting people? Not likely, so we should focus on addressing this behavior and giving childen the words to say. Begin by deciding what are your values? What kind of class do you want to have? What do you want to impart to the children?
This is going to start with modeling. You must do what you want the children to be doing. I recently watched one of my toddlers put a stuffed monkey in a chair and scold "TIME OUT! NO HIT!" While it was kind of cute, and I don't want them to hit, I don't want them to learn to shout at their monkeys... or each other. This was a wake up call to me not to get too frustrated when a child misbehaves.
Another time previously I watched my kids stomp on ants for no reason. I certainly didn't want them killing things for no reason! So after that I stopped killing spiders in front of the kids. I started using a jar and cardboard to throw the thing outside. And now we spent this whole week randomly watching spider in the backyard build a web. I want the kids to respect life, so I need to show them that I do.
These are some tips for setting the mood in a preschool classroom:
*Smile. Look like you WANT to be there!
*Keep your own voice low and calm. If the children are being loud, get quieter! This way they will have to calm down to hear you.
*Walk over to a child to talk to him or her. Don't shout across the room.
*Be positive. As much as possible avoid saying 'No' and 'Don't.' These words have more impact if you save them for times that are serious. "No biting!" is something serious you want them to understand is important. It won't have the same effect if you say "NO NO NO NO NO" all the time. Ever heard the joke "Hi, my name is 'No, no, bad dog"? Yeah. Instead of "Don't climb on the table," say "Feet on the floor." Instead of "No touching" say "That's for later."
*Remember that kids are new to the world. They don't know that if they pull the page it will rip. For that, that is all part of the exploration. Cause and effect. BE PATIENT and tell them, "When we pull the pages like that the book will rip and we won't be able to use it. Let's turn the page like this."
*Remember that YOU are the one in charge. Don't be scared! They are a bunch of two and three year olds! Worst case scenario you can pick them up and carry them someplace else. Have a controlled attitude and demeanor. No matter what chaos is ensuing always have in your mind that you are the adult and this is YOUR class. You can handle this and these kids are going to learn the rules... eventually.
*Keep that long term goal in mind. Do you want the children barging their way into conversations when they are 20 years old? Not likely. So don't pass up an opportunity to teach children that someone else is using something and they need to wait their turn. It might be easy to give the child her blanket when she is screaming, but if it is time for blankets to be put away you will only be teaching the child that she gets her way by throwing a fit. Keep the long term goal in mind. A few minutes of screaming won't matter once the children develops a lifetime of good habits.
*Be prepared. Have a plan, gather your supplies, and be ready for the day.
*Take care of yourself! If you are sick and stressed out, you aren't going to be any good to anyone.
Once you are physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to teach, go for it! The next step is setting up.
