How do you make the first week of preschool a success (as the teacher)?

Question

This is my first year to be a preschool teacher and I will be teaching 2 year olds. Our theme for our first week is going to be colors and I have a few good ideas, but I was wondering how others dealt with first day problems (crying, missing mommy, behavior...) to set a good foundation for the year. What things are good for a small group of 2 year olds for the color theme and what kinds of things should I be prepared for? Thanks!

Answer 1

I strongly recommend a visual schedule with two year olds.  This age definately benefits from having visual cues and a routine.  Doesn't mean you won't tweak your routine as the year progresses but have something on hand.  I like to use digital pictures of the children...but being that this is your first year and you haven't had the children yet, you can use generic pictures to begin with.  A visual schedule gives you and the children a common ground...instead of getting completely frusterated when a child doesn't seem to be following the oral directions (which some have difficulty comprehending yet) you can take the child calmly by his hand and walk to the schedule.

* Use very few words with this age.  Better to walk them through it or give visual cues.  Use lots of body language.  :-)

* definately have something familiar on the first day of class...something like playdough...that sensory input is so craved at this age and the dough is something they can work their feelings out into.

* if you haven't started school yet...maybe you could consider sending a postcard or note card to each child...with your pictures and your name and a little note about being excited to meet them.  A letter to the family about loving but quick arrivals is a good thing...suggesting they begin a "good-bye" ritual is another good thing...even suggesting a book or two to read before school...but that picture of you will make meeting you a little easier.

Good luck!

Color ideas:

* consider doing one color per day that first week and have as much as possible in the room that color.  Provide an open-ended cooperative project...for example you are doing red on the first day...since you don't know who can cut material and who is going to cut everything but the material :-) save scissors for another day.  :-)  Provide different foam shapes and have contact paper sticky side out.  They love to stick the foam shapes onto the paper and even take them off again.  Some may fall off..but that's okay.  The kids will just put them back on.  A good way to find out who knows their shapes and who doesn't.  :-)

* make or provide watercolor cakes.  Ahead of time write each child's name in white crayon.  With the chosen watercolor (if you are doing more than one color make sure they mix okay :-)) and large paint brushes give each child their paper.  See they great responses when they realize that something is on the paper when they paint.  A great way to introduce their name as well.  I say large paint brushes because at two they want quick results.  Your small group activities will be VERY quick.  Keep that in mind. I sometimes call these "magic pictures".

* One thing that my toddlers loved was carbon copies.  :-)  We did this when we were reviewing black...I provided colored pens...and put carbon paper in between regular white copy paper on a clip board.  

* bubble wrap...place colored paper behind bubblewrap and let them jump on it or use hammers to pop.

* simple small group but great fine motor ... 1" blocks in chosen color or multiple colors...have the children build towers.  Color recognition, counting, cause and effect, opposites, etc. all can be reinforced.

* begin a color display.  Have each group do a different color.  Provide a 12x18 construction paper in chosen color and at group write while the children are observing the color word in big letters across the top. Provide pictures of objects in that color and glue sticks.  Have the kids glue the pictures onto the piece of paper.  They are always so proud of their displays.  :-)

* Mitch the Fish color story (you cut out a large fish shape out of the center of a manilla folder and then you put colored paper inside and change the colors as you tell the story.  I can send you the attachment with the story if you email me with your actual email address.  The "chorus" is "I'm Mitch the fish.  I swim and I swish. And I can change my color if I wish!"

* As like above with the file folder...I made a wagon and did Bouncing up and down in my little "red" wagon.

I would suggest that your first few small groups be more "active and hands-on" but you could also do sorting, matching, etc with this group.

Have fun!

* Set the routine and expectations on the first day with a firm but loving attitude.

Answer 2

From personal experience Iwould scrap the idea of a theme for first week. THe first week should focus on the individuals and settling in. THe children may never have left their parents EVER and so to suddenly be thrown into something so new is scary.

I would start with a week of free play-then you dont have to worry about parents having to be pushed out of the doors. If a child is screaming then mum/dad could stay for few mins till they are settled, ormaybe parents can come to join in play for last hour of the session so that its not a huge change at once.

In this first week you can make notes on where the children choose to play, who with, who settles, how needs support and what support helped them-eg: do they like hugs, or prefer to look out window for a while. This will help you when you come to planning more 'learning' in future. The use of free play gives children chance to explore the room, the new layout, the new faces, new equipment in a way that makes them feel secure and un-afraid of failure.

However other tips for first week:

-Have special pegs for their belonging-with their names, spend first day taking photos to go on their peg. Make them feel special like they belong their.

-HAve toys alreayd set out on the floor and on tables so its at different heights.

-Try to have familiar toys that they will recognise from home-too many new and complicated looking toys may confuse and upset them.

-HAve light music playing-kids music obviously-this a) Drowns out the cries that can upset other children b) music often makes children feel jolly and happier.

-Sit with them and play alongside them-dont pressure them into talking as you are still a stranger. Being at their level makes you less intimidating.

-Dont force a group time too soon-some children willshow interest others it is a totally new experince.

-Have paints and writing areas out-suggesting they make a picture for mum or dad reaffirms to them that parents will return!

-Visual timetable-a row of pictrues/symbols showing how the day wil go-simple things like -school-toys-drink-story/toys-home this way children do not fear the unexpected and again affirm they will go home.

-Maybe a diary system so you can maintain communication with parents about how first day went-how things are going at home, any tips parents have as they knoiw child best etc.

Good luck and big smiles :)

Answer 3

At my daycare we ask parents to bring in some pictures of their family, pets, friends, etc. We glue them onto a piece of construction paper, decorate it, and them laminate it. We put it around our "cozy corner" which is a place that has pillows, books, etc. When they miss their mommy or daddy they can walk over to the area and look at their picture.  

Answer 4

i alwasy found it helpful as a teacher that the first week's theme be about 'me and my family'.  this way it welcomes the entire family into the classroom.  have a parent's night to meet you, send a letter to each child enrolled welcoming them to the class and in the letter ask the parents to put together a small album of family photos that the child can bring with them.  they can put them in their cubby and when they get sad they can look at them.  i'd just really encourage you to focus on the child for the first week (and the family unit).  you'll gain so much information from this.  like which parents are involved with their child and which ones arent, who is from a single parent family, who has siblings, etc.  this could help you throughout the year to help with issues that may come up or who will be a parent helper, go on field trips, etc.

good luck and have fun.  oh, and be prepared to share your family with them.  have your own photo album, have your family at parent night.  parents and kids love this.  really helps to connect everyone together and allows parents to see that you have a family that you go home to at night and have a life outside the classroom.

Answer 5

the children are going to test you just to see what they can get away with, be patient,be caring, be re-assuring. Any thing will work as far as colors go even using blocks,(lego). Ask them questions.Just be yourself, children are a great judge of character,have fun with them,get down on their level.