"I Can't"

Many Pre K students come to Pre K with the expression "I can't". Then they wait for an adult to do the task for them.  They wait for an adult to put their shoes on for them, put their coat on for them, draw a picture for them......  They have learned to be helpless.  In Pre K we believe children are capable.  We encourage children to try to do things for themselves.  We praise children when they make an effort and persist at difficult tasks.  We celebrate along with them when they succeed at challenging activities.  Help to build your children's self confidence and abilities by refraining from doing tasks for them that they are capable of doing or trying on their own.  

I saw this on Facebook tonight and I had to share it with you.  It sums it up in a nutshell.

Independence

As the school year is coming to a close, I think about what I have taught my little ones.  I hope that I have taught them independence.  I hope that they have the courage, perseverance, and self confidence, to try to do things for themselves.  There are so many things for them to try in their future!

Teacher Tom: Not Helping

Parents often have a difficult time with letting go of their "caregiver" role and continue to do things for their Preschoolers when the children are capable of doing things for themselves. I often observe this with dressing and undressing routines, where parents help with shoes, coats, hats etc. when their children should be encouraged to be independent and at least try to do what they are capable of.   Teacher Tom has a post on his blog that addresses this issue with play. It is an interesting read.

Teacher Tom: Not Helping

We Can Dress Ourselves!

Since September the children have come a long way in learning to Dress themselves for outside play and for home time.  Below is a graphic I found from "The Inspired Treehouse" which depicts the stages  and typical ages to acquire the skills.

                                   

http://theinspiredtreehouse.com/child-development-teaching-kids-dress/

ECIP

ECIP stands for Early Childhood Intervention Program.  ECIP is a support for parents who have concerns about their child's development.  Any parents who have concerns can contact ECIP themselves to get help, or the Pre K teacher can assist parents by contacting ECIP  for them.  Here is a link to a YouTube video that explains what you might expect from an ECIP visit.  

http://youtu.be/8fOJGmIdj0c

If you have concerns about how your child is doing, discuss this with me, or contact ECIP.  

Here is the contact information for ECIP in our area:

Prince Albert ECIP Inc.
3041 Sherman Drive
Prince Albert, SK S6V 7B7
Phone: 306-922-3247
Fax:      306-763-5244
E-mail: paecip@sasktel.net

Making Crowns

This afternoon, a student decided that she wanted to make a crown just like we had made earlier in the day for the "Birthday Girl". I helped by drawing zigzags on a piece of construction paper and instructed her to cut on the lines.  She needed some help, as cutting zigzags requires a bit of practice, but she did remarkably well.  Then I helped her staple the two pieces together.  Other students noticed the project and joined in.  Soon many students were working hard at making crowns.  What a wonderful project for practicing cutting skills and showing students that they are capable learners!  Time ran out and it was time to get ready for outside time and then home time, so we had to stop the work, but I am sure the project will continue next class!  Way to go Pre K!

Hold back from "Helping" your Child

Learning to do things for themselves is a BIG part of Pre Kindergarten.  Well intentioned adults will often rush in to "help" children with things that the children are capable of doing themselves.  This "help" is actually robbing the children of a wealth of education.  Please, take a moment to encourage children to try to do it themselves before you do it for them.  They will learn independence, persistence, problem solving, and the joy of setting and accomplishing goals.  If you have a couple minutes, read the following great post from a mother who recognizes the importance of independence. http://alameda.patch.com/groups/kate-bassford-bakers-blog/p/bp--please-dont-help-my-kids  

A smile for a job well done.  She got dressed and zipped her zipper all by herself!

We are Proud of Ourselves!

I have started taking pictures of children who have zipped their coats all by themselves.  The pictures are posted just outside the classroom door.  Zipping is an important skill in Pre K.  It is good for Fine Motor Skills and teaches independence. Accomplishing this difficult task is great for self esteem. I always try to give the students "High Five" after they zip up their coats!

                              

Academic Creep

I recently found an awesome post by another Blogger named GILL CONNELL. It helps to explain what children learn in Pre K. Parents are often confused about Educational and Academic. Academics such as ABC's and 123's are educational, but these are not the only thing children learn in Pre K nor are they the most important educational things that they learn. Learning to say please and thank you is educational. Learning to wait for your turn to speak is educational. Learning to dress yourself for outside play is educational. Learning to hop, skip, throw and catch is educational. Learning to be a good friend is educational. There are many, many more Educational things that young children need to learn to be successful in school. Academics are a small part of it. Please follow the following link to read more on the subject as written by GILL CONNELL. She is a Blogger who states these thoughts very eloquently. http://movingsmartblog.blogspot.ca/2013/05/academic-creep.html

Fine motor, Creativity

Making Friends-Social Skills, Language

 

Gross Motor

Science, Language, Making Friends-Social Skills

Fine Motor, Creativity

Independence ... Zipped by herself

Pumping



Learning to Pump yourself on the swing is good for large muscles and excellent for Independence and self concept.  Children are so proud when they learn to pump themselves!