Mat times! Mat times are choas the teachers just talk over the choas!Any ideas...?

Question

I work at a childcare centre.The teachers have mostly all been there for 15 yrs plus!They find anything new a threat & deemed "too much extra work".The centre is very free the kids are allowed to do what they want pretty much & the teachers just hurd them to meal times &then back out to play.It is not my ideal place to work but for the time being it is a way of saving money so I dont plan on leaving yet.I know I cant make major changes but the thing that I suggested was all but out right rejected for no real reason other then being different from what they are used to.

Mat times are a mess there are too many kids from 2-5 years old.The older kids want more & the younger kids cant cope with more then a couple of mins of sitting down.I suggested we group them thinking about the different needs of the children we have identified & use 5 mins a day to have consistant planned contact time with all the children in smaller more focused groups.

The response was frosty!Help!

Answer 1

hi there, personally, i think a whistle is a little harsh - and hard on the ears, i don't think i would like to be in a centre as an adult and have a whistle blown... ouch!  if this is used on a regular damage, could there be long term effects (or short term, for that matter), for children's (and teacher's) hearing?  i suggest backing your ideas up with research - there is little point trying to change something (even if it doesn't work), if you haven't got research or practical theory to back it up.  while you're researching, you may stumble across information that highlights why current practices are not working.  just remember to be objective - don't let personal opinion rule your research, cover all aspects, whether in support of your ideas or not, and then work from there.  good luck :)