#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Amy here, co-moderating w/ @mmekathleen, and before my 1st job teaching toddlers, I did not know it was NORMAL for 2yos to bite each other. Often. #Kinderchat
Carrie in Prince Edward Island. Hmmm it’s been so long since I was new in the classroom. Probably I didn’t realize how much they could smell my insecurities #kinderchat#neverletthemseeyousweat
Hello from snowy AB on the very, last day of WINTER! When I moved from G6 to teach G1, I did not know that 5 year olds didn't know how to tie shoes. #kinderchat
How about this....
I had no idea how hard it would be to put manipulatives in front of my S's and also expect them to completely focus on my instructions.
#kinderchat
#kinderchat I just remember how they would steamroll me. I’d be standing there saying, “remain calm!” and they’d be plotting my downfall. It wasn’t pretty hahahaha #kinderchat
Hey #kinderchat Faige from Los Angeles. I subbed in kinder today ( and will tomorrow). After subbing in 1st and 2nd last few days, I forgot how much kinders call out your name. Even when you’re busy LOL
A1 - for parents with oldest kids, the parents have no real idea what an appropriate range of abilities for a 5 or 6 year old. Either too high of expectations or too low.
#kinderchat
A1: I wish parents knew how capable their 5yo is. Yes, she CAN put her things in her cubby, change her shoes, pick her own snack, walk down the hall to the bathroom BY HERSELF. I promise. #Kinderchat
I am a Principal of a k- 6 school and once had to dismiss a kindergarten class and noticed as they were halfway down the hall that had no shoes on! Kindergarten teachers make magic happen let me tell you!
#kinderchat
I am a Principal of a k- 6 school and once had to dismiss a kindergarten class and noticed as they were halfway down the hall that had no shoes on! Kindergarten teachers make magic happen let me tell you!
#kinderchat
Mary
Student at Eastern Illinois
I do not have much experience in the classroom, so there are many things that surprise me during every opportunity in the classroom! I think the difference in development between the children is the largest surprise so far.
#kinderchat
I am a Principal of a k- 6 school and once had to dismiss a kindergarten class and noticed as they were halfway down the hall that had no shoes on! Kindergarten teachers make magic happen let me tell you!
#kinderchat
A1: That they'll learn to read before Christmas. Realistically, some come in knowing how to read but they still need to have comprehensions skills. #kinderchat
I agree. After working with pre-k students I realized just how much their parents help them. Our head teacher had the children put their own coats on, zip them, and always asked the children to TRY everything before asking for help. Parents often jump in too soon #kinderchat
It’s like parents who don’t care about their child’s fine motor because they’ll “be writing on computers anyway”. Not noticing the connections #kinderchat
In reply to
@krissymbutler, @MmeKathleen, @KeeneeLou, @happycampergirl
I ALWAYS have my Ss try things first, even in the cafe with opening utensil and snack packages. I didn't want to take that prideful moment of 'I did it myself' bc I've day they'll do it by themselves #kinderchat
Awesome job! As we were all saying.. they are capable of so much more than we sometimes realize! Plus, nothing is better than a child understanding/accomplishing something :) #kinderchat
A2: "We didn't read any books to her because we didn't want to ruin her for G1" FOR REAL. I just sat there. Then I said, I'll find you a list and you go the library and please read 3 a day. #kinderchat
A2 - I don't know about strangest, but perhaps most perplexing and even saddest. An only child. The parents swear that their child is perfect at home and can't seem to understand why I am having any trouble at all. #kinderchat
A2: "When you say the children eat lunch, you mean YOU feed them, right? Like, YOU hold the spoon? Surely they do not all feed themselves?" (In kindergarten.) #Kinderchat
A2 - I don't know about strangest, but perhaps most perplexing and even saddest. An only child. The parents swear that their child is perfect at home and can't seem to understand why I am having any trouble at all. #kinderchat
A1: I don't think most parents know what their child is capable of learning. They're amazed at what they're doing, even though I'm frustrated I haven't gotten them to an even higher level! #kinderchat
A2 Crazy when a parent said because I said something about their kid they didn’t like, I made their kid be that way. Oh how I wished I had that power.
#kinderchat
It was difficult. We are in a private school and we decided that the best way to help the child was to encourage them to go to the public school. I felt like I was giving up, but later decided it was actually what the kid really needed. #kinderchat
One of the saddest misconceptions I hear is that they should stop reading/speaking their home language so that the child will not "be confused." #Kinderchat
I know. This was years ago and it still breaks my heart and makes my blood boil. It did lead me to doing a lot of research on how writing develops and make sure to share that out #Kinderchat
A2: a mini story...i had a child pull his pants down in the middle of the hallway because he had to go to the bathroom (had had two years of pre-k)...she says, well you know...Kids do that sometimes. What?!? Nope, not here they don't. #kinderchat
I once had a challenging student leave our class and school. It hurt. Our superintendent said, you can't win them all. I said, no, but I need to learn from this and change/improve what I did #alwayslearning#kinderchat
Parents also think that can stick the kid in front of a game on a tablet to work on skills such as sight word memorization. How about flash cards? #kinderchat
This is in the same family as: "He definitely does not have ADHD, because he will play with his legos for hours and not even hear us call him for dinner." #Kinderchat
As tough as it is, not everyschool (especially if you have a choice as in independent/private/parochial) is the right place for every student. Ts reflecting on change is good and understanding what needs to be done is hard #kinderchat
In reply to
@MmeKathleen, @KeeneeLou, @AdamKreifels
A3: Since becoming a parent, and getting older, I no longer have that need to have every child think I am the best thing ever. I mean, obviously I want my students to like me, to have a good relationship, but that “need” on my part is no longer there #kinderchat
A3: Moving from being with older children to younger children was the most important and powerful learning I ever did as a teacher. And being a mum also changed my perspective dramatically. #kinderchat
A3: Just going from one district to another has changed my misconceptions. I worked as a assistant in suburban Philadelphia and now I'm in an urban area outside of Washington DC so I see a difference in misconceptions. #Kinderchat
A3: I have 3 children, 1 of which is in pre school, about to enter kindergarten. She's already doing things there I didn't foresee because I see her as my little baby still. I have a feeling my mindset is going to drastically change. #kinderchat
Interestingly enough it’s been as a grandparent. My “perfect” grandchildren aren’t. Conversations about mean Ts, school that’s hard, and homework has changed. #kinderchat
A3: lots of things have shifted my perceptions throughout the years. Vividly I remember attending The Wonder of Learning exhibit back in 2008 and really understanding the role of child directed investigations over my own themes. #kinderchat
Yes! for sure! And sharing my experiences with them I think helps in their understanding that I do know where they are, and that I can relate to them #kinderchat
Being in admin has helped me really SEE how hard it is to be a teacher. When I was teaching, it was just "what I do" but now I see ALL teachers doing it, ALL day... #Kinderchat
I am also very grateful now that we went through Infant Toddler Connection/Speech Therapy with one of my children. It lets me suggest intervention and really show that it is non-threatening and so helpful #kinderchat
Yes!!! Both! Having my own kids with diff. specific needs as well as moving from 1st to Kinder has changed my view and helped me become a better teacher. #kinderchat#usd437
It’s so helpful, and reassuring, that parents can see that we all have struggles. And to be able to point them in the right direction from resources is so important! #kinderchat
Teachers need more mentors like you Amy, like this. New teachers especially- people who see the dance of teaching and can help the ones who are stuck or struggling regain their steps #kinderchat#gettingphilosophical
It's the tiniest thing sometimes - how to manage dismissal routine - that make so much difference, and I try NOT to make my teachers struggle on their own through that stuff. #Kinderchat
The school I taught at (and sub in) has a terrific mentor program. Helps new teachers not flounder and a good sounding board to learn and reflect #kinderchat
I like that these mentorship pieces are now standard practice for new teachers. I had wonderfully, supportive colleagues that shaped and reshaped me! #grateful#kinderchat
In reply to
@dubioseducator, @CarrieMarshall1, @happycampergirl
