1. Q: Why did you become a preschool teacher?
A: "Because I believe that the first five years of life are the most formative."
2. Q: How did you come about your decision of being a preschool teacher over teaching grades K-12?
A: "I have always worked with younger kids so it just seemed right. And older kids talk back and start to smell bad."
3. Q: Do you find that most children are prepared for preschool? If so, how many are and how many are not?
A: "I would say about half of them are prepared. They have been around other kids/adults, spent time away from Mom, etc... But about half of them have never been away from Mom which makes those first few weeks very difficult."
4. Q:Does the readiness for preschool vary year to year?
A: "No."
5. Q:What do you think causes some kids to be ready and other kids not to be ready?
A:"Whether or not they have spent time away from their parents is the biggest factor, I think. Followed closely by whether or not they have been around other kids."
6. Q:What are the short-term and long-term benefits of preschool?
A:"I believe they are all long term: social skill development, academic and emotional development, independence, and development of a conscience."
7. Q:Do you feel there are some kids who shouldn't be in preschool? If so, why?
A:"No."
8. Q:Do you find, out of the classroom with your family and friends in a public setting, children who are not in preschool that you think should be in preschool? If so, why?
A:"ABSOLUTELY. Children who can't socialize with others at the park (or somewhere else), children who are unable to do the simplest tasks for themselves. All children throw tantrums, but I often find that children not in school don't realize that screaming fits are not part of the social norm."
9. Q:Do you encounter parents who are against having their children in preschool? If so, why don't they have their children in preschool?
A:"Yes because they think that only parents should"raise" their children.
10. Q:Do you encounter professionals who don't think children should be in preschool? If so, why?
A:"Not really"
11. Q:Have you encountered professionals of older children who find that there is a marked difference between those kids who have and have not been in preschool? If so, what are those differences?
A:"No, but I have never really asked anyone."
12. Q:Do you think homework is necessary for preschool children? Why or why not?
A:"No just a parent that goes over the papers with the child is sufficient enough."
13. Q:Rank in order the most important aspects of preschool. Discipline, play, social interactions, learning.
A:"Social interactions, playtime, discipline, learning."
14. Q:Are you familiar with Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences? Do you apply this theory in your classroom setting? What of the 8 intelligences do you find is the most prominent in preschool children?
A:"Yes. Kinesthetic is definitely the most important early on."
15. Q:Describe the best and worst part about being a preschool teacher.
A:"Parents are difficult. You just have to remember that you are dealing with their most prized possession. Let's face it, there a lot of pee and poop in the early years. But the best part is that you get to shape the lives of each child you teach. Even though they won't remember you, the lessons that you instill will be with them forever."
RJA #13b- Annotated Bibliography, Part 1-
- Schiller, Pam.Seven Skills for School Success.Beltsville, MD:Gryphon House, Inc., 2009. 9-13, Print.
Pam Schiller, an expert on the early years of a child's life has written fourteen books all based on early childhood education. "Seven Skills for School Success" focuses on the seven skills, (confidence, curiosity, intentionality, self control, relating to others, communication, and cooperation) that promote child development and success and are crucial in the development of social and emotional intelligence. The author explains why these skills are important and how to achieve these skills for preschoolers such as why the seven skills matter, modeling them, and encouraging these skills.
- McDevitt,T.M., Ormrod, J.E.(2007) Child Development and Education. Third Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill/Prentice Hall.
Teresa McDevitt and Jeanne Ormrod are both psychologists who specialize in education and child development. The book focuses on promoting child development physically, academically, and socially as well as their cognitive development. They reflect on previous research based on how adults can influence the behaviors and development of children as well as what is most beneficial to the child in different circumstances.
- Wollman, Patti, G. iVillage N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov 2009.
A preschool teacher responds to questions on the ivillage website and reflects on the importance of preschool because children between the ages of three and five are crucial in a childs development. The teacher is in a classroom environment everyday and is knowledgeable on the academic and social benefits of children and why preschool is important for child development. Preschool is a stepping stone for kindergarten and children who accomplish this early will be more prepared for kindergarten.
- Mamas Health. N.p., 2009. Web. 11 Nov 2009. http://www.mamashealth.com/child/preschoolfacts.asp
The Mamas Health website focuses on the benefits of preschool and uses research to enhance the opportunities preschool provides for child development. The primary goal of preschool is the development of academic and social skills, self-esteem, and building good character through the process. A preschool environment promotes these skills getting children out of the house and exposing them to different settings as well as a variety of people.
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