Search results matching tags 'classroom management' and 'values'

Creating an Environment for Kindness with Kids

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:15:00 GMT

"No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure."
~Emma Goldman

I had once began to get a bit overwhelmed with teaching when I first started. There was a lot to do with little or no time to do it. But as I began working with the kids I realized they we capable of much more than I was giving them credit for. As I began to show them how to do simple tasks and give them responsibilities as a group or as individuals I noticed the children began to take initiative on their own. They gained confidence in solving their own problems, cleaning up messes, and seeking out help from their peers. I encouraged it, commended them for it, and cheered them on. It almost was like I wasn't necessary at times until I realized that wasn't really it. Creating an environment for preschoolers to work in such ways was part of my job. I believe whenever kids are given the opportunity to work together they will rise to the task. The patience, encouragement, and good examples I give them are always up to me....well, perhaps up to all of us.

Tips For Connecting With Parents

Anonymous — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:33:00 GMT

Everyone is the age of their heart.

~Guatemalan Proverb

I really appreciate the support from families and parents in the classroom. Often I have been told by parents that they are not sure how to be helpful in the classroom. I really make an effort to set up a comfortable inviting environment for families to be welcome and participate as soon as possible.
It really is no different than setting up a comfy learning environment for kids, I suppose a bit of a gear shift in thinking.

We would love to hear what you do, and feel free to send a back link to your site.

Setting The Stage With Parents:
*Get bulk packets of Thank you cards and and colorful blank cards to have on hand.
*Memorize the names of every parent at the beginning of the year. I posted a cheat sheet in my teachers cabinet. There is nothing sweeter than a persons name.
*Getting to know parents and finding out what types of skills they have can really work to your benefit. Sewing, typing, computer, these are skills parents and extended families may be willing to share.

Positive Connections With Parents:
*Make sure you give families a call every now and then to give good news. I call usually every month to month and a half if I don't get much contact with them.
*If a child is out sick more than 2 days definitely give them a call.
*I have always been big on cards. Personal Thank You cards when a parent does something is a really big deal, not only to the child but for me as well.
I will also send a child's milestone achievement in a card as well.

Anything I can do to add a special touch, I will. Balancing can time is difficult with so many little ones and families. Being organized really helps!
It's never too late or too early to get started on great relationships...

Teaching Accountability in Early Childhood Education

Anonymous — Mon, 03 May 2010 21:30:00 GMT

EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY AND NOBODY

There were four people - Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it.
Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it but Nobody did.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job.
Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.

Sigh.
I remember reading this little story along time ago. When I became a director I made a copy and posted in the staff room. Humor always was a handy rubber sword to get a point across.
Teaching young children accountability really requires personal awareness on my part. When I am organized and aware of what my values are for the classroom and the children the preschool curriculum not only falls into place but everything seems to run much smoother. Like a well oiled machine.
Who would have thought children so young could care, work together, and take incentive to be accountable just because they were shown how?
We all have our moments of course, but the Somebody that could have been Anybody definitely has an opportunity to take part in what Everybody once thought Nobody was capable of.
Teamwork.

Creating Excellent Work Habits in the Early Childhood Classroom

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:39:00 GMT

Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.
~Spanish Proverb

As an early childhood educator I really have a strong desire to teach the young children excellent work habits. Skills that will give them a foundation for success in life and a foundation they can build throughout their own lives.
This is why my studies led me to so many areas of curriculum and methodologies for my own classroom. High/Scope, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Montessori, Emergent Curriculum, Reggio Emilia,The Multiple Intelligences Theory…and so many more. I really wanted to know what worked in the ways children learned. And there were success stories in all of them.
I think the one that really amazes me now is The Multiple Intelligences Theory. It can keep going on forever…
Because the brain and intelligence is so vast.
If anything, I want preschoolers to know that.

They are capable of anything if they set their whole heart to it.

The Last Push

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT

“Love is all fun and games until someone loses an eye or gets pregnant.”
~Jim Cole

Jenny was a ‘huggy’ type of girl. Usually, out of now where she would push someone down, too. Quite frankly, I think she was a cause-and-effect type of child. She enjoyed the trouble it caused and the effect of the attention she got….she had friends, though, and that was a good sign. By the time she was in my class preschool we were addressing the core issue of the problem.
“Sorry…that’s the last push…I won’t do’ed it no more, teacher Bah-Bah.” She would promise each time.
“You will come sit at the art table and make a card every time.” I explained.
Jenny had to make a special “I’m sorry” card to the child she pushed…I thought it slowed her down, helped her focus-she made quite a few of them……Then I overheard this touching conversation-and I changed my tactic.
At pick up time Jenny’s parents came to pick her up.
“I make’d three cards today!” Jenny boasted running to her parents.
“Gee, is that all? We’re so proud.” Said her father picking her up.
“Jenny, you have to do better…you know why, right?” Her mom said.
“Yeah…to get a little brother or sister.”
“When mommy had you,” her dad explained, “mommy said you were the “last push”…but we love you so much, we just have to have one more.”

Bounce Back

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:33:00 GMT

“What is success? It is a toy balloon among children armed with pins.”
~Gene Fowler

Never failed…I was the kid at the birthday party who’s balloon popped first. I was a “crier” too. I mean…I took it hard. I guess I bonded with that balloon or something.
Now at kids birthday parties I grab an extra bag of balloons- you know- just in case someone’s balloon pops…..balloon empathy, I guess.
I like to set up kids for success. I also can appreciate them working out situations for themselves….it can be a delicate balance at times.
I try not to roll too far to the right or the left….but float right in the middle-you get the best view from there.
I prefer to use a sense of humor to bounce ideas off the kids for curriculum….it works most days. Some days…they like it nice and quiet.
Being a ‘big person’ in a room full of ‘little kids’ is no small thing. Knowing their pulse is part of everyone’s success.
I always love once the magic of communication happens and is established between myself and the kids. It’s a lot like a toy balloon…and it’s frail-so I must be mindful of my words. But once it gets going it bounces joyfully from every angle…
And we can watch it bounce back.

What Remains

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:32:00 GMT

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school." ~Albert Einstein

One of my earliest memories of school was in Kindergarten. I loved kindergarten. I make an Easter basket out of clay and make little clay eggs inside it. I left it on the table to go wash my hands and when I came back the little eggs inside it were gone…gone! I looked high and low until I heard a little girl moaning under the table. When I asked her what was wrong she told me she ate some candy eggs and felt sick.
Well….Then I felt sick. I didn’t want to get in trouble…so I squished my evidence and told the teacher. The following week I make another similar basket with eggs and it happened again! Another kid ate the eggs out of it and got sick. This time I was caught! I wasn’t allowed to make baskets anymore because they looked ‘too real’.
But with such a high demand for my trinkets-I became a closet clay “Easter Basket Maker”. That wasn’t all, either. Kids would trade me cookies for mini snowmen, dinosaurs, cars, and animal. They were a hot ticket.
I had seven cavities by the time I was 7. But I learned I was definitely on to something….
I love to see kids work, and what areas of the classroom environment they gravitate to. Encouragement and praise are to a child like water to a plant….just the right amount causes them to flourish.