Helpful Start-Up Hints

• Before the children arrive, the teacher will create a safe and attractive classroom.

• Rituals and a concise schedules help children feel secure and comfortable

• Make certain that the centers are labeled in proper handwriting and accompanied with corresponding pictures.

• Make certain that the teacher is able to see into, around, and behind each and every center.

• Ask families to provide photos of their child as he/she is now, as a baby, and with the family.

• Teachers should have a class supply of large folders that will be identified as the “communication folders”. The folders should be placed in the child’s back pack each day.

• Label all permanent spots, like a child’s cubby, circle mat, and/or drawer, with a unique piece of patterned material and the child’s name. Even non readers are able to identify their own as well as their friend’s patterns in a short period of time.

• Provide colorful drawers or file folders, labeled with each child’s pattern/name, to promote independence. It gives children a place to put their belongings and pictures.

• At the door of the classroom, use magnetic tape or Velcro to write children’s names (attach patterns). As a way of providing the children with practice in recognizing their own and their friends’ names/patterns, change the order every day or so.

• Use shoe bags to store labels, tape, stapler, etc. Make certain that supplies are convenient and in a safe place.

• Use another shoe bag to store puppets.

• Use tennis cans to enhance cutting skills. Place ribbon inside of the can, make a hole in the plastic lid and then children will be able to independently pull out and cut strands of ribbon.

• Slice swimming noodles so that you are able to stuff the pieces into the spaces between the water table’s tub and the table. The noodle prevents “stuff” from getting stuck and causing odors or mold.

• Before beginning a group discussion, make sure to gain the children’s attention by reciting a finger play. The teacher should have an extensive repertoire of finger plays ready for use.

• Teachers should create a welcome smock that is to be worn each and every morning. The smock can be decorated with a hand, for a high five, a smile, for a smile, or an illustration of two arms, for a hug. By establishing a ritual of having children choose what type of hello they want to give the teacher, they are encouraging the boys and girls to use the frontal lobes of their brains (reason) rather than the rear lobes (flight). It makes separating from parents smoother and gentler.

• Teachers should eat with the children. Meal time is a wonderful time to teach social graces, talk informally, discuss healthy foods, and listen and learn about the children.

• Educators must be diligent observers of children’s behaviors both in and out of the classroom.

• Keep the classroom rules simple and make sure that children understand that rules are necessary to keep everyone and everything safe.

• Continue to communicate with parents. Report cute and lovely incidents as well as troubling ones. It is in the children’s’ best interest for parents and teachers to work together.

• Teachers will have great success and joy with their students if they are respectful, creative, set realistic goals, adhere to the principles of child development, and integrate the core elements of the curriculum.