Sunday, January 3, 2016

What happens during first few days/week(s) of school?

Children feel jittery as they have to adapt to the new environment (classroom, teachers, classmates).  Their social-emotional aspect needs to be taken care of by the teacher. It is taken care of by establishing routines.

Children are just like most adults, who feel comfortable with the familiar and not very keen in surprises. Routines are important because they will know what they are expected to do, this gives them the sense of security because they feel that they are being control.

Routines such as
  • being greeted at the door by their teachers
  • knowing what to do when they step into class (water bottles, bag storage) 
  • helper of the day (weather, help with tasks) 
  • what will be the next activity
  • what to do during transition to another location/activity 
  • what to do during toilet/snack time 
  • what to do when it is time to go home 
I will be teaching them about respect to places, things, people (friends, adults such as family, teachers, cook, cleaner, all people).

Reference
http://www.teachpreschool.org/2013/08/classroom-management-on-the-first-day-of-school/