Am I Smart Enough to be a Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher?.. I would love advice from a teacher.?

Question

This is my dream. To become a Preschool or Kindergarten teacher. I love kids and i think this will be a great profession for me. But i have so many things that makes me think i can't be a preschool teacher. First my math is lousy. I'm so embarrassed to say this but it's true. I have no idea how i got this far without anyone finding out how bad i am at math. Next I'm really shy and don't talk much. I just want to know what i should expect from a job like this. Anyone that is a Preschool teacher have any advice for me.

Answer 1

Have you already begun taking classes in this field?

Math is not such a big deal @ this level of education. I would think if you know your adding, subtraction and division you're safe.

What does your heart say to you about this job?

If you are looking for money here, there is none.

If you have a sincere compassion about children and education I would tell you to,

first volunteer in a classroom environment for a couple of months.  So you can get an idea of what installed.

I would like to please emphasize that if, your heart is truly not there....don't take this route.  Our children are very impressionable @ this age you are contemplating. They benefit from loving and kind words of encouragement.

I have worked with children from pre-school to 7th grade,

from well balanced children to,special needs in the area of math and reading, to mentally / physically challenged students. From emotionally weak to the abusive ones.

The educational system does not prepare you for all that, and every child is special, yet lumped up the same.

I have taken some time off from this 20plus year venture.

My heart still pleads to be there for them.....And I will.

Answer 2

HI,I'VE BEEN A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER FOR 30 YEARS AND CAN'T DO PERCENTAGES OR SQUARE ROOTS OR THOSE CRAZY THINGS THAT WE ALL LEARNT BACK IN SCHOOL.OMG I'M SURE YOU'D BE GREAT! .COME ON...MATH IN PRESCHOOL IS EASY!LOOK INTO FOR EXAMPLE www.preschoolbystormie.com AND YOU'LL SEE HOW EASY IT IS...REMEMBER YOU CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT.BESIDES NO OTHER PROFESSION IS MORE FUN.

Answer 3

I juz finish my degree in earlychildhood in a local university...as i learnt from my studies is wat we really need is a true heart to be a kindergarten teacher.Its far more difficult to manage kids around 3 til 6 years than anyone else.Truz me, if u got the spirit tats enaf..u can make it..maths level is not tough in tis early stage for them...wat we can expect from this field is we are the one who are responsible to make great kids for future...if we do our job better..than the future generation will be far more gr8..so the choice is urs...

Answer 4

How much math do you need to teach preschool? Can you count? If yes, you can do enough math to teach preschool.

Answer 5

You sound like a great person for the job.

I hope you can achieve your dream... I wish there were more teachers like you. =]

Answer 6

u will be perfect

Answer 7

as long as u have to the drive and the love to teach these children that should be the only thing that matters. Math is an easy subject when it comes to kindergarten, so no worries their. Being shy with childeren will not be as bad as you think they are kids and wont judge you pthe same way an adult or tennager would. I say go for it!! And good luck!

Answer 8

If still in school go talk ro careers advisor or teacher. If left do a course and get qualified that way. In UK we can get young people training on the job, check and see if your area in UK (or even overseas USA etc) has a similar scheme Goood luck (press for it and I am sure you will achieve)

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

I have some advise that will certainly put you in perspective for being capable. 1st you should not feel bad about your math defects, learn to effectively use your fingers for adding and subtracting and even some cases dividing. This will give the children reassurance about using theirs. 2nd your shyness needs to be overcome.. one way shown to work is by being loud in public. I'm sure you will feel awkward at first but it just takes time. If you can successfully be loud in public you will no longer have a problem with being shy.

Answer 11

Yes you are if you can 2 and 1 you can teach preschool

Answer 12

You don't need ANY math at that level.  OK, you have to be able to count to 20.

Much more important, you have to be able to talk with preschoolers!  You have to enjoy spending all day with them.  It works for some people, not for others.

Answer 13

I believe you can do it. If you are passionate about something, you can achieve it. I worked as a preschool teacher assistant and even though I wasn't the main one in charge, I learned a lot. An important thing is you have to be PATIENT! Little kids will make messes, throw tantrums and just straight out not listen. You have to learn how to handle them effectively without resorting to yelling at them as a first option. I noticed that the teachers would talk to them or pull them aside. Sometimes they would allow the kid to continue whatever bad thing they were doing and tell them, "Keep going, that's good for you." and eventually they'd get tired of it and stop. Another thing is you have to know how to talk to them. Little kids won't listen if you treat them like a friend too much. I was always nice and gave in to them easily so they had a tendency to not listen to me. They played with me, talked to me, but they just didn't take me seriously. Although you don't need to have many academic skills in theory, you should still have some. You have to know which activities to do in order to help the children develop motor skills. It's a pretty hard job, the teachers I worked with amazed me. I couldn't believe how much they had to do and how well they did it. (: Hope this helps!