Pre-k children begin school at a very young age. They are expected to know so much even before entering the tender grade of kindergarten. Children should be familiar with the alphabet. They should be able to count. The students need to be able to communicate and play with other children in an appropriate way. The children should also be in the beginning stages of writing their name. Some children may be able to master this concept completely through the pre-k program. The pre-k program is a wonderful opportunity for young children to receive beneficial lessons that will prepare them for kindergarten. The individuals who make this happen are the wonderful pre-k teachers. The pre-k teachers are the foundation to our children’s early learning experience. Because of the devotion and hard work of the pre-k teachers, the children are able to obtain a great head start within the educational world.
The pre-k teacher will usually begin the day with the children gathering around the big circle rug for circle time. I had the opportunity to observe Mrs.Nestler’s class during their circle time. She had the children dance to a song that was about wiggling different parts of the body. Mrs.Nestler was making the motions to the song very fun for her students. All the while, the children were becoming customary with body parts and exercising their gross motor skills. After the song was over and they sat down on the rug, it was time for attendance. Mrs.Nestler had taken the time to make a pretty purple, laminated butterfly for the children to use as their “counting” wand. She then picked a child to go around the circle and gently touch each child on the back while counting the kids aloud. After the students have been counted, they discuss how many children may be absent, as well as the names of the children that are gone. The concept of this was for Mrs.Nestler to assist the children with number recognition and recall. As the children were joining in with the counting of each child, they were becoming customary with their counting skills. As Mrs.Nestler has the children name the students that are absent, she is prompting them to use recall. The students are remembering the names of the children that were not present. Mrs.Nestler was very patient during this process and helped with the counting and the naming of her students.
Mrs.Nestler also made the calendar discussion very amusing to her students. She sang a song with the children that pertained to the days of the week. This particular day also happened to be the first day of fall. The teacher was able to talk about the changing of the season. They joined together and talked about the leaves that were beginning to fall, as well as the colors they may begin to see on the trees. In doing this, Mrs.Nestler was able to incorporate colors into the discussion. The lecture was also assisting the children in building their vocabulary. Since it was September 22nd, the teacher had her students clap their hands twenty-two times. Of course, this would be to enhance number recognition within her students. Mrs.Nestler is also able to help the children become familiar with the twelve months as well as the seven days of the week.
The weather is also a very engaging topic for the pre-k teacher and the students to take part in. Stephanie Nestler has been a pre-k teacher for eight years and she tells me, “As the children discuss the weather, they are working on their vocabulary as well as recall.” I honestly never understood the significance of this until I was able to talk to the teacher as well as observe. As Mrs.Nestler has the children discuss the weather they had seen outside, this is encouraging them to “remember” or recall what they had seen taking place and how the weather felt. As she asks them what the weather was like or how it felt, they are prompted to use as many words as they can, such as windy, rainy, and cool. I was able to visit the classroom in the morning and it was sunny, cold, and windy at this time. Mrs. Nestler was encouraging her students to describe the weather in this way. She had prepared little cards with these descriptions on them to slip into the weather chart. The more words that Mrs.Nestler can get the children to use, and in the correct way, will help their vocabulary to improve. Promoting good vocabulary skills within a child will better help them to declare their thoughts and emotions more effectively. This is an important skill for every child to master as they will need it now and as they get older. Being able to progress in a positive manner within the school system and even obtaining a good job in adulthood could count greatly on this.
Story time is also a favorite time for the pre-k teachers to spend with their students. Marcia Farr has been a teacher for nearly thirty five years and she states, “I love to read to their children and watch their faces.” I was able to visit Mrs.Farr’s classroom as well. The children were really engrossed in the book as Mrs.Farr added excitement and action into the story. Next door, as I listened in on story time in Mrs.Nester’s room, I could see that the children were enjoying the book as well. Mrs.Nestler also read the story with such enthusiasm. Mrs.Nestler and Mrs.Farr were able to make sure that their students could easily follow along with the story by encouraging them to ask questions after it was complete. Nearly anyone can sit down and read a story to a group of young kids but the pre-k teachers have an agenda as to why a story needs to be read. Story time is a great opportunity for the teachers to help the students with recall and vocabulary.
During circle time, a select child has been asked to share items from a bag that was taken home the night before, which is called the “me” bag. The purpose of this exercise is so the Mrs. Nestler can interact with one child at a time during the class period. As the child shows the items to the class, the she is encouraging the child to use detailed words. As they discuss the items, Mrs.Nestler is assisting the child with their vocabulary. She also inspires the child to try to use complete sentences when speaking. Even though Mrs.Nestler tries her best to make each child feel equally important in the classroom, the child who has the “me” bag can have a chance to feel “special” and be the leader for the day.
Before center time begins, each child receives a card with their name clearly written on it. However, in order for the child to have their card they have to listen for Mrs.Nestler to call their name. As she does this, she is helping the children with recognition. Once the child hears their name being called, they would walk up to Mrs.Nestler. At this time she has the child spell their name out. After the child does this they are able to go stick the card at an empty spot of their choice at a center. Mrs.Nestler tells them the card is very important and to try not to misplace it. The point of this is to teach them responsibility. Responsibility will help a child learn that they are accountable for their own actions. This is also an important trait for a young child to acquire as they will have some sort of responsibility for the rest of their lives.
Center time is probably one of the most important times within the busy day. Mrs.Nestler and Mrs.Farr have properly placed benchmarks at each area so those who may be curious can find out what the children should be gaining within that area. They are actively involved during this time, making sure each child is using the area correctly. If a child is having a hard time understanding how to use the area, then they are there to lend a helping hand. A pre-k teacher may play in the housekeeping area with her students and as she does so she is encouraging her students to use role play and to communicate with each other. I actually noticed Mrs.Farr pretending she was feeding a baby doll with a student who was playing in this area. Communication is an important quality for each individual to have whether young or old. The children will be working closely with their classmates throughout their school career. They need to be able to work with others in an effective and positive manner. Communication is also going to be an important necessity in adult life. Being able to help a child open up to others and communicate is very important. As I watched on during center time, I noticed Mrs.Nestler helping her students write their name in the writing center. She was very patient and helpful with the children. Mrs.Nestler assisted each child in correctly spelling their name and moved their hand in the motion of the letter as the child attempted to write their name.
The teacher and her students engage in art activities quite often throughout the day. Many people may assume that this just a fun activity for the students to take part in. Although this may be true, the pre-k teacher is actually assisting the children in various areas. As a child is cutting a piece of paper, they are utilizing their hand/eye coordination. The pre-k teacher may ask them to draw a picture and then tell her what they drew. The teacher is helping to bring out the creative side in the child. I observed many art pieces on the wall in the classroom I visited and Mrs.Nestler and I had a fun time reading what they made. A specific art piece that I was drawn to were some turkeys that that the children had decorated with various objects, such as glitter and stickers. Mrs.Nestler asked her students to name their turkey and a lot of them named the turkey “chicken!” Nestler states, “I just ask them what they made and I write it down, no matter the answer. The answers can be quite funny at times!” Mrs.Nestler spends a lot of time reviewing art projects on the internet or looking at resource books to come up with the fun projects. Nestler also notes, “We learn a lot of ideas for projects through workshops that we attend.”
The children are asked to line up at the door before heading down the hall to the gym. Mrs.Nestler asks the children to line up either according to gender or even by the color of their clothing that they are wearing that day. The reason that she does this is to help her students with recognition. At this time during one of my observations I began to realize that Mrs.Nestler and Mrs.Farr try to incorporate some sort of lesson into almost everything they do with their students throughout the day.
Gym time is also a great opportunity for Mrs.Nestler and Mrs.Farr to interact with their students. Many individuals and even parents of the students may think of this is merely a “break” for the teachers; however this is could not be further from the truth. They are actively involved in the events taking place in the gym. The teachers participated in jumping rope and throwing balls back and forth to the children. I noticed Mrs.Nestler and Mrs.Farr doing just this. In doing so, the teachers are helping the children develop their gross motor skills, and even help with balance and coordination. The children are still so young and beginning to grow, so they understand how these exercises can benefit them. Exercise is also an important activity to instill in a growing child as it can lead to a healthy lifestyle. Before they exit the gym, the teachers do a clapping signal to notify the children it is time to pick up. Again, this is to enlighten the students that they have a responsibility to pick up after themselves. As the children are rushing around to pick up the toys, they are also participating in team work. It is always great to teach others that helping their friends is the right thing to do.
Mrs.Nestler and Mrs.Farr spend a great deal of time in preparing their classroom for a new day. They arrive to work about an hour early to gather all the necessary items that may be needed in an activity that day. During this time, they also distribute the papers into each child’s cubby that need to be taken home at the end of the day. After class is over, they stay awhile to clean up the room and reorganize. They also attend several informative workshops throughout the year and even in the summer time that help them keep the classroom exciting and educational.
Pre-k teachers are dynamically involved in making certain that the students are receiving a quality education provided through the pre-k program. Without the generosity and patience of the pre-k teachers, a pre-k program that is very beneficial to our children would not even be available. The teachers enjoy their job and only want the best for their students. As Nestler notes, “seeing the look on a child’s face when they finally “get it” and they know it” just says it all. The pre-k teachers work hard every day in the classroom to make sure each student is learning while incorporating a fun time into the mix. Farr states, “I love to watch them learn in their own unique way!” They allow the students to learn at their own pace. The pre-k teachers are extremely important to children by giving them a great learning experience before heading off to kindergarten.
Works Cited
Farr, Marcia. Personal interview. 21 Oct. 2008.
Nester, Stephanie. Personal interview. 21 Oct. 2008.
Nestler, Stephanie. Personal interview. 17 Nov. 2008.
