How
to be a successful Preschool teacher?
I was so excited when I first visited
a pre-kindergarten classroom and when I saw the colourful charts and the
resource materials hanging all around the wall. “Awesome” was the word I muttered
spontaneously. Children were all looking at the colourful atmosphere. I saw the
bulletin board also with a theme and decorated well by the teachers. I was
applauding them for their creative work.
However, for all this I understood
that the teachers did have a herculean task to make the things possible and the
effort behind it was to be appreciated. Then I thought about what else is
required in running a smooth classroom. I understood that not only a strong
curriculum, a good daily plan and a sensible list of classroom rules, but a bit
of tips and tricks in handling the kids will
help a teacher in preparing them
to manage their classroom effectively. It is true that engaging preschoolers is
too tough, but if the teachers adopt some of the mentioned below then her classroom
will be at ease.
1.
Let us be extremely
prepared:
A teacher has to prepare and plan sufficiently. The items we use for that
particular lesson plan must be prepared well and know the contents completely
and the methodology or approach in teaching has to be planned and the resource
materials required for executing the lesson plan must be planned and kept
ready. One more important thing is the teacher should never sit and read a
lesson to a preschooler as they will not get engaged, and their mind will
wander soon.
2.
Let us always use a consistent attention getting cue: As a teacher,
we have to train the class kids and use a cue or signal which they are prepared
to listen. It can be counting one to five or clapping in a pattern or repeating
the words like hands up and hands down. Preschoolers can be trained easily, but
it should be consistent. Every time, we do it should be the same to enable the
kids to establish cues and children of this age like routine and this will help
you to complete your lesson much more smoothly.
3.
Let us teach with total
enthusiasm:
If one gets into a preschool, one can find there are no monotone voices.
Teachers are all excited and their voices should be an inspiration to children
and you can see them also jumping with excitement. If we are reading a story
read the story for kids with all enthusiasm and this will make the story alive
for the kids.
4.
Let us involve the
children:
When we involve the kids, they remember the events or fact or a story for a
long time. Involve your kids and teach them to make appropriate sound effects
and repeat the key phrases and allow them to relate to the story or rhyme or
anything you intend to teach them. Let us do lots of repetition, as the more
you do it will be better. The more the kids are involved they will give you
less trouble and they will associate themselves with what you teach and it will
stick to their heart.
5.
Let us keep it short and
use a lot of variety: The attention span of a child is very less and basically
they can focus on one topic for not more than ten to fifteen minutes. Normally a kindergarten child can focus for
fifteen minutes. So, our lesson plans
must be short and varied and have lots of fun element in it. As a teacher, she
should be able to hold on to the topic very clearly and know what to deliver in
that time.
6.
Let us give children a
role to play: The teacher should give roles for kids to play and make them
participate holding a prop or picture. Children, especially preschoolers need a
bit of extra attention and the teachers should sense it and act accordingly
with lots of patience.
Now, I could say to myself that these
tips and tricks if implemented properly, a teacher can be successful and also
have a stress free life.
- An article by Dr.Vatsala Iyengar, Program Coordinator, Preschool Teachers Training Institute
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