When I tell people I teach kindergarten, I get some pretty standard responses. The wide-eyed stare, followed by “Wow, I can never do it”, “It must be fun to play all day” are just a few examples. There are others who say “is it different from day care?”
As a kindergarten teacher, I can confidently tell you that many people don’t understand what kindergarten teachers actually do. People often encounter seven things when teaching pre-k.
1. This is just a glorious nanny
Teaching Pre-K not only involves supervising children. Pre-Kindergarten teachers are licensed educators with expertise in child development and early learning. Running an effective Pre-K classroom includes providing a structured learning environment to promote cognitive, linguistic and motor skills, and socio-emotional development. Pre-K’s teachers are masters who change the environment and different teaching techniques to meet the needs of young learners while providing safety supervision to all.
2. No evaluation or “rating”
PRE-K teachers are educators who plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum, teach basic self-help skills, and evaluate children’s progress. In my own state, Pre-K teachers utilized ongoing assessments with all children to monitor their progress in important early learning skills. Children are constantly assessed in pre-academic, social, communication, motor and self-help skills. Formatological assessments are being conducted while managing small bodies with huge emotions during their first ever school experience. The Pre-K teacher then analyzes classroom data, works with any special education provider, and reports to parents about the progress of their children’s learning.
3. Anyone can do it
Pre-teaching kindergartens require specialized training in early childhood education and development. Game-based learning technology and child development research are the forefront of a good Pre-K teacher’s thinking. This is a career that has a deep understanding of child development and positive early learning skills. Teacher Pre-K lays the foundation for all future grades and walks with parents and students through their first formal education experience.
In addition to the usual teaching requirements, there are many guidelines as the children are still young. For example, in many states, all certified Pre-K teachers must take leave every day throughout the process and have lunch with students. Apart from that, everyday life in Pre-K classrooms can be very exciting. Similar to parenting, children aged 3 to 5 years old can receive a lot at a time. Temperament and potty accidents require attention, and open snacks and assisting often newbies in school experiences. Ultimately, being someone’s first teacher is not for the sake of cowardice for the entire child.
4. It’s all about scholars
Indeed, the former kindergarten did introduce early concepts of literacy and arithmetic. But this also focuses on social skills, emotional regulation, communication skills and physical development. Give children the opportunity to participate in early learning activities designed to develop skills in multiple areas. Teachers promote play and group learning to help children build important kindergarten preparation skills.
Teachers are not the only ones who help children grow up. The physics classroom environment and peers also teach children many new independent skills. Teacher Pre-K carefully arranged their classroom environment to invite young children’s curiosity and cooperation.
5. This is all the dramas that point to children
Every excellent Pre-K teacher knows that children-led dramas are an integral part of preschool education. It can help children explore, experiment and develop problem-solving skills. Early childhood research has proven the importance of game-based learning, but children are also taught basic student behavior before kindergarten. Toddlers learn to follow the rules, wait for their turn, and try basic tasks for themselves. In this educator, a comprehensive Pre-K program can provide both gaming opportunities and appropriate structured learning.
6. It is more important than future achievements
Early education lays the foundation for children’s future learning. Effective Pre-K experiences may have lasting impacts on children’s academic and social development. Toddler research tells us that children’s brains grow the most between birth and five years of age, which means high-quality toddler programs are essential to support our future citizens. Researchers directly correlate pre-quality kindergarten experience with positive outcomes in persistent adulthood. MIT News on the Lasting Impact of Preschool Children: “Studying preschool at the age of 4 makes it more likely for children to go to college, according to an empirical study led by economists at MIT.” The study is clear: Quality Pre-K has a lasting impact on K-12 education and beyond.
7. This is not a challenging job
While teaching to the youngest learners in the region, Pre-K teachers must distinguish between teaching, manage behavior, create a parenting classroom environment, and adhere to many young children’s specific regulations. In many states, lawmakers don’t fund the premises that fund K-12 education. This means that Pre-K teachers often conduct more professional assessments within and outside the district. In a typical year, different people can be evaluated two to five times for different reasons. Pre-K teacher with clipboards to evaluate things like classroom environments, teaching skills and children’s interactions. As a teacher, maintaining a calm classroom environment and passing all assessments can be disturbing, while making sure everyone drags it to the potty on time.
Understanding the problems people have in teaching helps to validate the crucial role kindergarten teachers play in shaping their children’s educational journey. Pre-K’s teachers are not nannies or superheroes, they are respected educators who are dedicated to their careers, laying the foundation for the education foundation until they reach adulthood.
