Childcare Chatboard – Teachers.Net

montmo Wendy: I guess I am confused as to what your role actually is in this. If you are the assistant, then where is your lead teacher in this? I have always had clear guidelines for my assistants in my classrooms and there is no way that I would expect her/him to be supervising that many children without a set plan and materials to implement them. That ...See MoreWendy: I guess I am confused as to what your role actually is in this. If you are the assistant, then where is your lead teacher in this? I have always had clear guidelines for my assistants in my classrooms and there is no way that I would expect her/him to be supervising that many children without a set plan and materials to implement them. That is my responsibility as the lead and I do not understand exactly what it is that you are trying to implement.

First, I would decide what is needed material wise for the room.I see Materials Requested in our local paper all the time for after care programs. I use a small portable CD player(you could borrow one I am sure somewhere) and the public library has a vast selection of CDs for children that would be appropriate(and free)

I think children that age who have been in class all day which is common now a days for full day K(versus the previous "play" approach)are not in need of "learning the routines of school life" and then simply expected to "settle down" and work again. My question is, why does this program have to resemble "school life"? Children "misbehave" because their needs are not being met for any variety of reasons. Is your lead not experienced either? I still think that is her place to be giving you guidance instead of just expecting you to do crowd control. Either the people who are running the program want a quality program that meets the needs of the children, or they just want someone to do crowd control.

I would look into what other programs are doing and garner some ideas as to what works there.

I am sorry I can not help any more then this as I am having difficulty visualizing what is actually supposed to be happening and why the people in charge are not giving you more guidance in what your role really is. Good luck!

On 9/23/10, Wendy wrote: > There is another teacher - she is the teacher and I am her > assistant. I have about 20-25 kids depending on who is/is not > picked up before (or during) this homework time. I generally do > expect the kids to seat down immediately... they are required to > wash their hands before sitting down. I realize they need a few > minutes to comprehend that they are indoors now and need to use > "indoor voices". The classroom I'm using is borrowed... another > teacher uses it during the day for a Spanish class, so my options > are limited as to what I can/cannot do. I also realize that the > Kindergartners will have to get used to the routines of school > life (they seem to give the most trouble). There is a cabinet in > the room that is for AS care only but there is not much to work > with in it. I appreciate and like the advice on CDs but I don't > think we have any equipment available to us for that. > > On 9/22/10, montmo wrote: >> wendy: Are you by yourself and how many children do you have >> in your group? Does the group come in from outside and then >> expected to immediately "do homework" or seatwork? >> >> You need some transitional activity to settle them in. That >> can be a fun CD song followed by a quieting, calming activity >> using movement that can be as simple as stretching or >> playing "mirror" (Watch what I am doing and copy my movements) >> Then give the children a choice of whatever one needs to do. >> My first grader only has 10 minutes of homework once a week >> and she doesn't enjoy coloring coloring books. She does like >> free drawing with paper and colored pencils. Some children >> enjoy playdoh, others cutting out shapes or gluing. It is >> important that you model your expectations. It should be a >> privilege to be able to choose whatever activity one wants to >> do. Maybe the older children can choose to read to the >> younger ones. Most children enjoy music and movement so I >> would collect some good CD's with learning type songs that >> they can at least be learning something while having fun. I >> would think 30 minutes can be used up pretty quickly just >> with the transitional activity and then reading a good story. >> That age can handle chapter books well if the same children >> come each day(Look at Jim Trelease Read Aloud Handbooks for >> suggested titles) And shame on your co teachers. >> >> >> 9/22/10, Wendy wrote: >>> I recently started working in the AS program at my local >>> elementary school. I am also working toward my teaching >>> degree through an accredited online college. After we enjoy >>> outdoor time, we go inside to split up into two groups, K-2 >>> and 3-5 for 30 minutes of homework time. I have been blessed >>> with the K-2 class, which is exceptionally unruly, >>> boisterous and messy. I realize that my weakness is >>> classroom management but I have no earthly idea how to get >>> these guys to listen much less follow a routine. It is >>> supposed to be homework but most do not have homework or >>> prefer to do it at home. I give them coloring and activity >>> pages and crayons to occupy their time but they often fight >>> over pages and crayons then become loud. I am very green at >>> all this and could really use some guidance on how to manage >>> these little guys. I have no support from the other "more >>> seasoned" teachers - as a matter of fact they are counting >>> down the days until I quit. I would appreciate some >>> management techniques that work!

Sep 24, 2010

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Leah I agree with the last poster. Some random thoughts:

These children are tired! Do they get a snack? Most programs provide some food after a long day at school. Could you provide some inexpensive snack if they can come in quietly?

It's unrealistic to think that they will just sit, do activity sheets and get along at the end of a ...See More

Oct 4, 2010

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Childcare and Eating Habits

by John

Oct 5, 2010

Hello Everyone,

I was just curious if anyone has ever heard of any research studies done linking the impact of childcare centers vs. family care on long term eating habits/behaviors?

Thanks!

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Preschool teacher, trying again to share a link On 10/06/10, Preschool teacher wrote: > Would this be of any help?

Oct 6, 2010

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Preschool teacher, 3rd and final attempt I think I had a typo before. Hopefully this link will work. otherwise, I give up.

Oct 6, 2010

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Need your input please

by Kindergarten Teacher

Oct 6, 2010

Hi there! I am a regular on the K chatboard and like to check in here on the preschool board too:) I have been asked by some local preschool and daycare teachers to come and speak with their group about how they can better prepare their children for Kindergarten. I have a brochure that the teachers in our county have given our input as far as the a...See More

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Schari I have been to trainings like this. Our trainer gave us a list of readiness skills which was interesting and helpful. But the most helpful part to me is breakding down how all the things we do each day relate to each of those learning domains.

Letting the providers know that every single process they let the child go through in a day is eq...See More

Oct 7, 2010

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Kindergarten Teacher Thank you! That also is a great idea(s). I have never done anything like this and I am by no means an expert! I was maybe also thinking about offering ideas on how to build on these skills with hands on activities. Giving them ideas they can take back with them. I also think the action of them brainstorming ideas that they may already do that work ...See MoreThank you! That also is a great idea(s). I have never done anything like this and I am by no means an expert! I was maybe also thinking about offering ideas on how to build on these skills with hands on activities. Giving them ideas they can take back with them. I also think the action of them brainstorming ideas that they may already do that work and can share with each other is a great idea! Thanks again!

On 10/07/10, Schari wrote: > I have been to trainings like this. Our trainer gave us a > list of readiness skills which was interesting and helpful. > But the most helpful part to me is breakding down how all the > things we do each day relate to each of those learning > domains. > > Letting the providers know that every single process they let > the child go through in a day is equipping children with > readiness skills. That readiness skills aren't best > accomplished by 'drilling' or 'worksheets', but are best > accomplished by daily living and experiencing everything in a > hands on way. > > Hope that makes sense. > > > > > On 10/06/10, Kindergarten Teacher wrote: >> Hi there! I am a regular on the K chatboard and like to >> check in here on the preschool board too:) >> I have been asked by some local preschool and daycare >> teachers to come and speak with their group about how they >> can better prepare their children for Kindergarten. I have >> a brochure that the teachers in our county have given our >> input as far as the areas of social-emotional areas, beg. >> math skills,reading readiness, and motor skills. We are >> not saying that the "lists" of skills have to be mastered >> of course, but are some areas to work on and give children >> plenty of opportunities to build upon. >> Anyways, I feel that they will most likely already know >> many of these things. I guess that I am looking for any >> suggestions that you may have as to what they may want me >> to focus on. I certainly do not want to just "read" a >> brochure to them. What would you want to hear in a >> situation like this? >> Thanks!

Oct 7, 2010

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Can I share with you some ideas for an upcoming presentation

by Thanks!

Oct 9, 2010

I posted the other day about a presentation that I am preparing for. This will take place for a group of daycare providers that would like me to discuss how they can better prepare their students for K. I spoke with one of the members about what they may be looking for since this will be my first time doing something like this...a bit out of my com...See More

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Schari On 10/09/10, Thanks! wrote: > I posted the other day about a presentation that I am > preparing for. This will take place for a group of daycare > providers that would like me to discuss how they can better > prepare their students for K. > I spoke with one of the members about what they may be > looking for since this will be my ...See MoreOn 10/09/10, Thanks! wrote: > I posted the other day about a presentation that I am > preparing for. This will take place for a group of daycare > providers that would like me to discuss how they can better > prepare their students for K. > I spoke with one of the members about what they may be > looking for since this will be my first time doing > something like this...a bit out of my comfort zone, but I > am starting to get excited about it. > Anyways,I was thinking of a workshop form and it only needs > to be about 30-45 minutes long. > These are some of my ideas: > > *start with a music and movement song with the group > --discuss music and maybe name some of the CD's I like to > use. > *I have a brochure and some handouts that discuss k > readiness and will incorporate throughout presentation. > *Will also develop a powerpoint that discusses fine motor > skills and talk about the short pencils that we use in the > beg. of K and the Flip crayons from HWT that I have some > children use if they are having issues with fine motor. > --also share some playdough mats that can be found online > for letter and # formation....also discuss other fine motor > activities that I use in beg. of K. > *Social/Emotional-importance of cleaning up after yourself, > sharing with others, conflict resolution, etc. > *Learning to write first name--share the Name Bags that I > use to practice naming the letters in our name and writing > it. > *Some # identification activities that can be used to learn > # naming and ordering (0-10). > *Stress imporance of learning through play > *Maybe make discovery bottles with group--foam #'s in a > bottle with rice or salt that their children can search for > and practice naming? > > How is this so far? I would like some kind of make and > take...any other ideas? I have some sites that I would > like to share with them that they can use for future ideas > and printables. > What else can I focus on that you find imporant?? > Thanks!

I think you already have the most important one in your list. That is Learning through Play. That is huge.

You'll do great - hope you have fun with it!

Oct 12, 2010

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Ann Marie I'm guessing that it's too late to provide feedback, but your presentation ideas, esp. the music and movement and learning through play components sounded wonderful. Do you happen to have any info. posted on a website? If so, would you mind sharing a link to your site? Thanks in advance...

On 10/12/10, Schari wrote: > On 10/09/10, Than...See More

Nov 15, 2010

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