They play a vital role in their student’s development, so who better to give you some insight into your children than their teachers…
Pre-school is an important time in your tyke’s life. Not only have they conquered their first major academic milestone, but they’re also learning how to be sociable and be more independent.
It’s an exciting, yet daunting time for your tyke, so their preschool teachers are a source of comfort and support. These teachers also play an integral role in your child’s development and may even become their forever friend.
Since they spend so much time with your little ones, pre-school teachers are privy to junior’s well-being and development. Which makes them the best person to ask for advice when it comes to your child.
We gather tips and advice from pre-school teachers and here are the top seven things they wished parents knew about their children and their time in school…
Little brains are like sponges, constantly absorbing everything around their environment – the good, the bad and the ugly. So watch what you say and what you expose your kids too.
1. Your child is watching and listening to you… All. The. Time.
Remember the last time you caught yourself swearing while attempting a stressful task such as settling your little one into their car seat? Or when your child accidentally caught a glimpse of the fight scenes in Deadpool and started practicing them everywhere, including in school? Yeah, little brains are like sponges, constantly absorbing everything around their environment – the good, the bad and the ugly. So watch what you say and what you expose your kids too.
2. Recognise your child’s efforts
Your child has put a lot of effort into painting and decorating that flower they gave you on Mother’s Day. It may have ended up being a grey flower that looks more like a bowl, but commend them on their effort and make a big deal out of it nonetheless because it’ll do wonders for your tot’s self-esteem. And a healthy self-esteem will go a long way in their personal and emotional development.
3. Always have a plan B for school pick-ups
Traffic or work can be unpredictable, so there’ll be occasions when you’re not able to pick your munchkin up on time. Pre-school teachers have families as well, and they also want to leave work on time. To make sure that your child is not stranded in school ( and his teacher doesn’t have to stay back), always have a back-up plan, such as asking your helper, a neighbour or the grandparents to help pick up your peewee on time.
4. Keep your sick child at home
If your child has been running a fever the night before or if you found blisters inside their mouth (HFMD alert!) — do everyone a favour and keep him or her at home. We know it’s hard to take time off work, but it’s easy for these illnesses to spread amongst toddlers who have low immunity and cause an outbreak. To ensure the health and safety of everyone at the preschool (teachers included), bring your tot to the doc and keep them in bed until they feel better and are less infectious.
5. Don’t make goodbyes harder than it already is
Starting in a new environment is always challenging for kids and adults alike. So, it’s normal for junior to take some time to adjusting to being separated from you when he starts pre-school. Some children settle down within a few days, some take a few weeks and others might need a few months. It also makes it hard on you during drop off. As tempting as it is to sneak away while your pee wee isn’t looking or linger around and have a dramatic goodbye, pre-school teachers say it’s best to keep things short and sweet. Have a simple goodbye ritual that involves a hug and a kiss to reassure your little one, then leave them in the capable hands of their teachers who will take care of the rest.
When they give you feedback on your child’s progress (or regression), it’s not their intention to undermine your ability as a parent.
6. Don’t think that all we do is play all day
Looking after a group of toddlers does have its fun moments. But it can also get exhausting especially when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, such as ensuring their safety, disciplining them and making sure they eat their veggies! Now, imagine doing this on a daily basis. Let’s also not forget that pre-school teachers have to plan their lessons and activities for your kids and that involve a lot of work and scheduling. So no, being a pre-school teacher is definitely not an easy job.
7. Don’t take our suggestions the wrong way
Considering the amount of time they spend with your little one, its accurate to say that teachers really do know best when it comes it their students. They know their personality, their likes and dislikes and what makes them tick. So, when they give you feedback on your child’s progress (or regression), it’s not their intention to undermine your ability as a parent. They are merely sharing their observations with you in the hopes of raising a model student and citizen.
Photos: iStock
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