When I was told that I would be teaching kindergarten, I was very surprised. I had thought that I would teach between grades one and five. I was even more surprised when I was introduced to all of my eight classes and I learned that not only was I teaching kindergarten, but I was also teaching prekindergarten and preschool! The children that I am teaching range from 3 to 6 years old.
Since starting in the beginning of September and having worked through the first weekend, I have already learned a lot about teaching preschool and kindergarten. I went in knowing practically nothing about how to teach such young children and I feel as though I have learned a good amount so far (although I still have a long way to go!)
I learned that the best way to teach them is through songs and games. However, with the very young children - the 3 year olds - most songs are too difficult. There is a very wide range. With the 3 year olds, I can barely do any songs that I know from my childhood. Instead, the Chinese teacher has taught me a song that counts up to five and includes claps. The 4 year olds can sing the good morning song, as well the happy birthday song and a song that helps them to learn their English names. The 5 and 6 year olds can basically do any song - the itsy bitsy spider, Do a Deer, etc.
As for games, the very young children like games in which they can stand, jump, and just follow my basic directions as long as they can watch me do them at the same time. They can also play quiet and loud, a game in which we say words quietly and loudly, depending on my action. The 4 and 5 year olds can do those games and counting games and the 5 and 6 year olds can do some role playing games and Simon Says (or Teacher Says, as I call it). These games can get out of hand, though, if I am not careful.
I learned that it is very difficult to control these children. They are very young and they get antsy very quickly, and then they get loud. Then Chinese teachers can sometimes quiet them down very easily, but sometimes they won't even quiet down for the Chinese teachers. I have a lot of trouble quieting them down, but I am also very lucky because I have the Chinese teachers there with me to quiet them down for me. I think that I am getting better at this, though. I am proud because sometimes I can teach the classes without the Chinese teachers needing to quiet the students. In time I am sure that this will get easier.
Lastly, I learned that the best thing is to go straight from one activity or song to another, without pause. I should just do one song, repeat it, then do another song. If I pause, then they get bored. If I just go into the other song or the game, then they have no time to get bored or loud. I learned this from one of the preschool teachers who helps me. She demonstrated this technique to me and it worked wonderfully.
Although, as I have said, the children can be difficult and loud, I am not complaining. They are lovely. I love going to classes every day and teaching them and being around them. Every day just being in the same rooms with them makes me happy because they are so cute and sweet. They are getting more used to me and less shy with me, so more and more often now they come up to me after classes or in between classes to talk with me (in Chinese, of course) or to hold my hand and play with me. It is wonderful!
Since starting in the beginning of September and having worked through the first weekend, I have already learned a lot about teaching preschool and kindergarten. I went in knowing practically nothing about how to teach such young children and I feel as though I have learned a good amount so far (although I still have a long way to go!)
I learned that the best way to teach them is through songs and games. However, with the very young children - the 3 year olds - most songs are too difficult. There is a very wide range. With the 3 year olds, I can barely do any songs that I know from my childhood. Instead, the Chinese teacher has taught me a song that counts up to five and includes claps. The 4 year olds can sing the good morning song, as well the happy birthday song and a song that helps them to learn their English names. The 5 and 6 year olds can basically do any song - the itsy bitsy spider, Do a Deer, etc.
As for games, the very young children like games in which they can stand, jump, and just follow my basic directions as long as they can watch me do them at the same time. They can also play quiet and loud, a game in which we say words quietly and loudly, depending on my action. The 4 and 5 year olds can do those games and counting games and the 5 and 6 year olds can do some role playing games and Simon Says (or Teacher Says, as I call it). These games can get out of hand, though, if I am not careful.
I learned that it is very difficult to control these children. They are very young and they get antsy very quickly, and then they get loud. Then Chinese teachers can sometimes quiet them down very easily, but sometimes they won't even quiet down for the Chinese teachers. I have a lot of trouble quieting them down, but I am also very lucky because I have the Chinese teachers there with me to quiet them down for me. I think that I am getting better at this, though. I am proud because sometimes I can teach the classes without the Chinese teachers needing to quiet the students. In time I am sure that this will get easier.
Lastly, I learned that the best thing is to go straight from one activity or song to another, without pause. I should just do one song, repeat it, then do another song. If I pause, then they get bored. If I just go into the other song or the game, then they have no time to get bored or loud. I learned this from one of the preschool teachers who helps me. She demonstrated this technique to me and it worked wonderfully.
Although, as I have said, the children can be difficult and loud, I am not complaining. They are lovely. I love going to classes every day and teaching them and being around them. Every day just being in the same rooms with them makes me happy because they are so cute and sweet. They are getting more used to me and less shy with me, so more and more often now they come up to me after classes or in between classes to talk with me (in Chinese, of course) or to hold my hand and play with me. It is wonderful!
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