Transition Tips for Preschool Teachers | Circle Time, Lining Up, & More!

[@s.s.8029]

I am heading into my first year as a lead teacher (assistant for the past 8.5 years). My former lead teacher used yelling as her way to get kids' attention, despite being asked to use other ways to do so. She was very "old school," according to her. She often treated children like adults and us staff as children, so it was very challenging. Thank you for these tips and tricks that you have provided. We are going from 5 hours a day to 6 hours with kids (no required naps), so that will be an added challenge but we will get there. I already have busy bins prepared and planned, so that will help. I know I will have to make changes along the way, but each moment is a new moment to improve! Also, what works one day might not work the next, so we need to have an arsenal in our pocket and be prepared for anything!

[@teachpre-k101]

Another our? whoa! Thats a lot of time to fill with littles! yeah...you will need a lot of Things to turn to! Good luck and thanks so much for you r comments

[@arieladzerigian707]

I'm not a very musical person either but you've convinced me. I'm going to try your simple and catchy songs. They are easy to sing and remember. Thank you for ALL your tips!

[@teachpre-k101]

The singing thing is rough for us non-musical types...but I swear singing works! Thanks for your comment!

[@blessedmandy1]

Love this! I will definitely be using this during the year!! Thank you!!

[@teachpre-k101]

I'm so glad! I hope you have a great year! Thanks so much for commenting!

[@lauryshattock7570]

If I see a child not cleaning up on the rug I say, Oh Matthew will you BE IN CHARGE of the cars!! Thank you!!! They love “being in charge”of something. It works great!!!!

[@teachpre-k101]

I do that too!!!! They do love being in charge! you sound like an amazing and fun teacher. I'm getting so excited for my new group! Have a great year and thanks for sharing! I totally forgot that one...we are genius!

[@saracarty494]

Hello! I’m a first year teacher and I’m really enjoying your videos! How would you recommend handling a student that will not sit to do his work and is extremely disruptive? I feel like I’ve tried everything 😅

[@teachpre-k101]

Hi...I know kids like that...it's never easy. First, sitting and doing work might be the problem. I have a child right now in my class who doesn't ever want to come to teacher-led centers, which sometimes involves sitting an doing an art project, or playing a game. His problem is that he doesn't want to leave the free play centers because he is having so much fun. He's 4 going on 5, so if the child you are speaking of is younger...you may need to modify this approach. That said, I don't always make him go to all the teacher-led centers, if there are 2, I have him go to the one I feel would benefit him the most, or that he would like the most. I will also let him bring an item he is playing with at the free choice center with him to the teacher-led center. I have also let him miss a center that I know he would love and suffer the consequences of that choice-we made Stop signs this week and he was doing everything he could not to go...when he saw all the kids playing with their stop signs, he was really sad...now I have an example to bring up when this happens again. I know it sucks for him, and I hate to see him sad, but life is full of natural consequences. Also, I don't like seat work for kids 3-5 at all. I rarely do 'seat work unless it is in the form of sitting and sorting, building, playing an interactive game...etc. Sitting and tracing letters for example can be very tedious...you need to find ways to make it fun. I also don't require sitting. I know that sometimes I am much more engaged and productive if I can stand up and work if I want...that is absolutely acceptable. My classroom is noisy! The only time we are quiet is during circle time-and that is only here and there, I have the kids up and moving, responding out loud, and I find as many ways as I can to make them not just have to listen to me...even though attending is really important too...It is hard for them...very hard for some. In your first year you have high expectations of yourself and the kids. You want to be the best teacher and classroom manager in the world...but remember, you are new to this too...grace must be given to the kids...and yourself. Step back from your teacher role and begin to see your classroom and everything you do from the eyes and maturity of a 3-5 year-old. Thats where it all begins. You have to meet their world...they can't meet yours because they don't have the tools. Your job is to see things from this child's perspective...what is important to him/her? are they new to playing with other kids? Are they young or old for this group? How do they learn best? How can you incorporate different ways to learn in your routines? It's a tough job, and what you try won't always work. Keep trying, keep talking to veteran teachers like me...it will never be perfect. Each year will give you new challenges...but it sounds like you care a lot and will seek out all the information and help. you need to become even more amazing at your job than you already are...I don't know if any of this will help you, but keep trying different things. Respect the child while earning their respect too. Get to know tis child better and you will figure out what makes them tick. Find ways to get kids out of their seats and doing work in new and creative ways...you got this!

[@saracarty494]

@@teachpre-k101 Thank you!! It never even crossed my mind to not have him sitting at a table! I need to change things up and do some thinking out of the box asap! Thank you!

[@amyfrancis9423]

Thank you for your videos! What do you do when most of the line is quiet and there are still a few kids are talking? This is when so much time is wasted and we are late to the playroom or going out for a walk.

[@teachpre-k101]

Thank you! I usually say something like "We are waiting for Jonah and Cleo to make a better choice, then we will go". I say the names pretty loud and then a few kids near them will tell them to be quiet so we can go. Or if I have an aide...Jonah & Cleo can finish talking while the rest of us go out. Jonah & Cleo usually pay better attention for a few days after that. (They get quiet super quick and usually end up at the tail end of the line! All is done in a happy and non-judegmental way...just consequences to actions.

[@amyfrancis9423]

@@teachpre-k101 Thanks for the tips!