Being a playschool teacher seems to be an easy goal for many people. But looking deep into reality, it is not something everyone can do. Becoming a playschool teacher is not just about following the routines and taking care of kids. When you get inside a room full of different types of kids, a playschool teacher is given a super teacher dimension altogether.
When a child gets enrolled in a playschool, he or she is expected to enter a world full of strangers by leaving the protective environment at home. Here, the young child is shown a very different perspective and made to learn basic mannerism. All this that has to be served to a budding mind comes from a preschool teacher. It takes a core hardship and perfected dealing mechanism for a teacher to deal with a toddler, make him understand things better, groom him in the right direction, and perfect the behaviour for future academic goals. Along with all the responsibilities, there are enormous things that a playschool teacher is expected to take proper care of and to justify the role taken up by them.
Let’s expand our knowledge about the challenges faced by a preschool teacher in a playschool…
Kids
Managing a room full of young children can be delightful, but it can also be hard and can drain a lot of your energy. The day-to-day challenges a teacher will face can range from dealing with difficult behaviors to crying and cranky children. Throughout the day, a teacher must balance all of their unique needs to keep the classroom function smoothly.
Parents
Each and every day, you will have to deal with parents, some of whom may be quite demanding. It can be difficult to manage parent requests, questions and complaints as they drop off or pick up their child when you have other things on your mind, like the day’s lesson plan.
To overcome these challenges teachers can follow the below-mentioned guidelines
- Paperwork
On top of keeping an eye on children and managing your relationships with parents, you also have piles of paperwork to handle on a daily basis – attendance, records of children’s activities, lesson planning, meal planning and more.
- To identify desirable and undesirable behaviors in children
The task of identifying or defining ‘misbehavior’ is an important one if a teacher is going to develop strategies to deal with them. There is a need, at the outset, to describe exactly what any unwanted behavior actually comprises.
- Be playful
Gain children’s attention with a dramatic voice, by putting on a sensational hat, or playing a clapping game. Also, try holding up a secret hand sign for children to duplicate or rolling a ball to different children to keep them alert.
- Be welcoming
Use children’s names to get their attention. Engage children with facial expressions, such as smiling and making eye contact. Use your body language to convey warmth and acceptance.
- Describe what you see
Get children’s attention by labeling objects or activities, and pointing out similarities and differences. Ask them questions to get them to look at the object and focus on the activity.
- Be clear and specific
Children are more likely to hear your requests and pay attention when it is clear what you want them to do. Keep directions short and simple.
- Give timely tips
Allow children time to process your requests for their attention and follow the directions given. Consider that afternoon are low energy times for many children and it may take longer to process attention-getting techniques.
- Be aware of the temperament
Some children can be easily distracted and/or exhibit impulsive behavior. When this is the case, speak calmly, use one-step directions, and give them gentle touches. Other children are more reflective and may need a five-minute warning before they can attend to the next project.
- Keep groups small
If you have difficulty gaining children’s attention, try working with a small group or one-on-one. Giving a child your undivided attention lets him know you care and that what he is saying is important.
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