Learner Abby Kirkendall
LearnerForum Replies Created
-
As a toddler teacher cleaning up is always a struggle. I have found that using a clean-up song helps get the children engaged and having fun while completing the task. Cleaning up their toys is a way to teach the children responsibility at a young age and I believe that it is important for the development of the children as they grow older.
-
I have found that the most stressful things about my job in early childhood education are the unknown of each day and having very little staff in the center. I am a planner and like to know how my day is going to go, after being in childcare for almost 2 years now I have found that that is just not a realistic expectation to have at work. Things are constantly changing and I have had to find ways to adapt. I have a flexible schedule that has been created to make the day go smoother and less stressful for my children and myself. Most days follow the same guideline of a schedule but the timings vary due to the unknown and reality of taking care of children. When I am not stressed and remain calm my students are much calmer.
-
I have found that taking full advantage of my mini bathroom breaks and my lunch break to breathe and recharge has helped me deal with stress at the moment. My downfall is bringing the stress home with me after work causing me to not be able to recharge for the next day. Ways that have helped me from bringing the stress home with me is just reminding myself that the issues at work are not my responsibility when I am at home, I have to take care of myself before I can take care of my students.
-
I teach 2-year-olds so I redirect for most of my day. Redirecting is a great way to avoid unwanted behaviors in the classroom. Children must have options and feel as if they are in control of themselves. Redirecting gives them an option to choose something else to do instead of telling them to do something else. I have a child who is consistently trying to do things that he is not supposed to be doing, such as throwing balls at his classmates. Instead of lecturing him, I show him something that he can do with the ball that will not cause harm to him, his peers, or objects around him. By showing him a fun positive way to use the balls he then forgets what he was previously doing with them and begins to do what I showed him.