I was totally surprised to receive a comment via e-mail from my blog, much less, a request for advice on working with Kindergarners, after having not blogged for 3 months. I am one of those people that if I don't have time to say what I REALLY want to say, I won't say anything. 2005 so far as been a year SO not like any other ....one that has been good but filled with, let's just say "challenges" that I hope I don't have to ever face again. But time spent living life has taken away time to write about it.
So telling someone some general tips on teaching kindergarten is somewhat difficult for me - I feel the need to write a book....I am the one that would write 10 pages of instructions/suggestions to my mom when she would babysit my four kids for the weekend. NOT because I didn't think she could do it - but because I want to share info that will make it smoother, easier for her, therefore, helping the kids to be less anxious and more in line with a regular routine - and more predictable in an unsure setting...is this making sense? Or are you thinking - "CONTROL FREAK!"
In thinking about "general tips on working with/teaching kindergartners" I have to stop and think "generally"and not specifically. Keep in mind that my last 5 years has been in an inner-city school with 5-6 year olds that have MAJOR social/emotional needs.
So here are some thoughts - more may come later:
* You've got to love the children you teach. You may not start out loving them but you have to start with the assumption that those kids need a lot of things from you and the major one is your love. Don't read that as letting them get away with murder becaue you "love" them - just the opposite. Because you do love them, you want them to know kindness, discipline, self-control, have self-confidence in what they do, feel good about how they act and the work they do.
* There needs to be a sense of organization in your room, your routine, your manner. There needs to be a "plan" for every minute. Now, understand, that plan may change many times in the day and it may have to be adjusted, but if you don't let the kids know you have a "plan" then they will make one. Don't read into this that they can't have some "free time"or a spontaneous time to do something unexpected. That happens daily...but my experience has been that if there is "dead time" then you are going to lose them!
* Large group activities need to be held to a minimum. You do need them and numerous times during the day, but my experience has been that children do best working/learning/playing in small groups - and not always with the same kids - and not always "assigned"- some need to be the children's choice. Are you getting the idea of a day made up of diversity?
* When in a "heated" situation, I have learned the more calm you are, the more impact you can have. Granted, I have resorted to yelling and getting upset, but it only makes me feel all irritated and upset at myself! Firmness and a stand of "I am serious and this IS how it will be" is quite effective in many ways. Along with that letting the child know that they DO have a choice in how they act - but here are the consequences....if A, then....if B, then...and then DO IT! Be consistent and keep your word...threat, if you will....but if A is the child's choice, then you better make sure you are willing and able to carry out the consequence. It's hard, but the kids learn that you mean what you say... and that means a lot. One of our administrators told the children in the cafeteria at breakfast last week that "if you act up and get sent to the office, you are going to stay home the rest of the year!" With 2 weeks left of school, don't you know some of those kids are thinking "YEAH! I don't have to come back until next year!!! What will I do that is FUN and will get me sent home?" Bad consequence in my opinion and you KNOW she didn't send anyone home for the rest of the year - they are all still there!
* The final thing I can say for now is it really helps if you love what you are doing and feel you are doing what you are supposed to be doing with your life. That may be just for this season of time, no matter how short this season may be. You have to want to be there or it will show to the kids as if you had a big Dr. Seuss hat on! They know and respond accordingly if you are just killing time and doing it for the money! (And the usually ain't all that great!)
So, there you have it - for today.....the beginnings of a book when all a commenter wanted was a little advice! I bet that is NOT what you were expecting....or if you know me, it probably was!!!
