Why I Teach + Common Preschool Questions

I have been in the classroom with my students for a full week and am so relieved that I was back in 'Teacher Whitney' mode instantly. I actually started this blog with the intention of only sharing Preschool activities, to inspire early learning so it tickled me when two blog friends didn't know I was a Preschool teacher! 

So I figured I would take this opportunity to share WHY I teach and to answer some commonly asked questions about Preschool.

I knew from a young age I wanted to work with children. My first thought was to be a child psychologist. That passed pretty quickly though because I would probably cry and that's unprofessional and I would have adopted all the kids.

Then one day as I was working at Gap, my friend Jennifer said, "you should be a preschool teacher!" and called out my destiny. I enrolled in ECE (Early Childhood Education) classes at the local Junior College and got a job at a half day preschool.

I was in heaven!

There is something very special about being surrounded by young children. They have an innocence and joy that is not found anywhere else. Their sense of justice is strong and so is their will. They play hard, love hard and have unending energy.

I get "you're a saint!" a lot but I don't think of teaching as work (though it very much is and takes a lot of energy. I'm pretty much dead at the end of the day) so much as a calling. When you teach children it's because you have a desire to do so.

And let me add, children always find you/seek you out! Where ever I go, be it the store or at a restaurant, I always end up making friends with some random kid!

I teach Preschool to validate young children, share ideas and foster social- emotional development, nurture creativity and guide learning. I learn from my students too! This year marks my decade foray in teaching Preschool but my 8th in my own classroom and it is still very much a part of who I am.

Common Preschool Questions:

I asked my favorite blog friends if they had any questions about Preschool and here is what came up:

Jess from Scott Family of Maine:
Q: Will they learn what they need to know for Kindergarten screening? I'm (already) so nervous that Cam won't be prepared!

A: So I was nervous too but Kinsey's [Kindergarten screening] only lasted like 10 minutes IF that and she told me she had to identify shapes, colors and some letters and numbers. I think the parents who worry are the ones who's children are prepared ;)

Jen from And Hattie Makes Three:
Q: What do they do all day!?! All I ever get from Hattie is she did ABC's and ate goldfish!

A: Each teacher is going to have their own ways to teach but really we all incorporate letters, numbers, colors and shapes. But there's also the "extracurricular" things like social-emotional development, large and small motor development and self-regulation that isn't so much taught but refined throughout the year. Play is still the most important teacher at this age so it may seem like there's a lot of time dedicated to say, blocks but when playing with those blocks kids are exposed to math (fitting blocks together), spatial awareness, science (gravity at work!) and again, social cooperation when building with a friend; we take play very seriously in Preschool.

Leah from Leah with Love:
Q: What can the parent do at home to help prepare their littles for Kindergarten or what will they be expected to know in Kindergarten?

A: I think this is a "toughie" since each State varies on what is expected but a general knowledge of the alphabet (identifying some if not all letters, knowing sounds, and writing/spelling name) numbers 1-20 if not more, identify shapes and colors. Social- emotional development is one of the things I focus on besides academics and it's amazing how much kids grow emotionally over a year!

Jess from Being Mrs Beer:
Q: Maybe some tips for working parents on how to start preparing them for Kindergarten using only weekends? Our weekdays are so busy that I don't think we'd have time during the week, and Abbie will not be going to a structured preschool because everyone I've found is more expensive than her daycare for the hours we'd need! I'd love to know how to start getting her ready even though she won't go to Kindergarten for another 2 years because of her birthday.

A: Does she like doing workbooks? They aren't necessarily the only way to learn but some kids really like them! Just reading stories together is so beneficial. Playing games like bingo is a fun way to learn. Again, I think the parents who are concerned that their kids aren't ready are already ahead!

Sarah from Seeing All Sides:
Q: What should they be leaning in Preschool? I was surprised by Brantley's curriculum last year--units like "apples" instead of things I felt like he should be learning (letters, how to write his name, etc.). And maybe that's the difference between 3- and 4-year old Preschool. Perhaps he'll learn more kindergarten-prep this year...

A: Well, in his Apples unit he was exposed to letters, literacy (reading books about apples) math (counting apples), science (how do apples grow?) but the best way for littles to learn is through play so preschool looks a lot different than Kindergarten as there are no desks and no homework.

Sarah: Good to know!! I guess, as a high school teacher, I have an entirely different perspective and it's easy to overlook all of the things he was learning!!

Me: it's definitely a different pace in preschool! But even the small things really do teach big lessons.

Sara from Running From the Law:
Q: My biggest concern right now is how will I know at the end of the year whether or not he's ready (physically and emotionally) for kindergarten. What kind of guidance do teachers give parents about whether to move them into kindergarten or whether to hold them back? Personally for us, I know Mac's smart but he is a very physical kid and has a very hard time sitting still, paying attention, concentrating on one thing, etc. Is this something that they work on? Is this something that can be taught or is it something that just comes with time?

A: This is definitely a parent judgement call- if he is academically ready I would definitely consider putting him in Kindergarten. Attention span is something that is developed and even if he is more physically active he will get a chance to burn off that energy during recess and P.E. Have you shared your concerns with his teacher? What do they recommend? I will say boys are just more hyper by design but doesn't mean they aren't capable of sitting still. Does your state have Transitional Kindergarten? Its relatively new in Ca but its for kids whose birthday falls after the regular Kinder cut- off date but who will turn 5 by December; its an academic setting but catered for the younger child. I don't think Mac falls in that category though, huh? And Ill add, most kids act differently around the teacher than the parent so he could be a model student and you would never be the wiser ;)

If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comments! Ill try my hardest to answer :)

Linking up here.