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Leidy
Student
Town 'n' Country, FL
1
Question
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how is the day to day of pedagogy for preschool ?
I am very interested in this profession «Because it is a noble profession; because it allows us to maintain a certain coherence between what we are, what we want and what we do ». But I would be interested to know what the environment of being a preschool pedagogy teacher is like to get more information about this career. #career #education
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4 answers
Patricia R Kerr
Retired professor
25
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Patricia R’s Answer
Leidy –
Nina, Jessica, and Dennis have all provided excellent responses to your question. My response a perspective on something not previously mentioned.
A pre-existing condition offers a choice even before a preschool teacher decides if and where to work with young children; that is to examine the underlying philosophy of what preschool’s main purpose is. There are two choices (and possibly a third, if a hybrid is considered.)
1. Some preschools have a curriculum that is more focused on academics, complete with various paper-pencil worksheets and textbooks. Their goal is to “prepare children for kindergarten (which has also become more strongly academic in preparation for first grade). I believe the majority of preschools are following this philosophy.
2. Other preschools’ purpose is to support child development that is more “natural.” This is accomplished through play, socialization, and, often, self-directed activities. Yes, they learn about reading and math (arithmetic), but they learn by doing practical activities – measuring by making cookies, counting by sorting real objects (not pictures on a worksheet), etc., and they learn about their surrounding world by playing outdoors whenever possible, not just by looking at pictures or videos of nature.
The choice is not a simplistic either-or decision, as each philosophy has its pros and cons.
Yes, I am biased; I freely admit it. As an educator with over a half-century of experience in education – as a teacher and as an adult learner observing teaching practices – I support a more loosely structured, non-academically-focused school experience for children under five years of age.
(I actually believe in the benefits extending further, but that’s another whole issue. :-)
Nina, Jessica, and Dennis have all provided excellent responses to your question. My response a perspective on something not previously mentioned.
A pre-existing condition offers a choice even before a preschool teacher decides if and where to work with young children; that is to examine the underlying philosophy of what preschool’s main purpose is. There are two choices (and possibly a third, if a hybrid is considered.)
1. Some preschools have a curriculum that is more focused on academics, complete with various paper-pencil worksheets and textbooks. Their goal is to “prepare children for kindergarten (which has also become more strongly academic in preparation for first grade). I believe the majority of preschools are following this philosophy.
2. Other preschools’ purpose is to support child development that is more “natural.” This is accomplished through play, socialization, and, often, self-directed activities. Yes, they learn about reading and math (arithmetic), but they learn by doing practical activities – measuring by making cookies, counting by sorting real objects (not pictures on a worksheet), etc., and they learn about their surrounding world by playing outdoors whenever possible, not just by looking at pictures or videos of nature.
The choice is not a simplistic either-or decision, as each philosophy has its pros and cons.
Yes, I am biased; I freely admit it. As an educator with over a half-century of experience in education – as a teacher and as an adult learner observing teaching practices – I support a more loosely structured, non-academically-focused school experience for children under five years of age.
(I actually believe in the benefits extending further, but that’s another whole issue. :-)
Nina Bailey
PreK-12 Educator, 30+ years
14
Answers
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Updated
Nina’s Answer
Preschool instruction follows a curriculum outlined by states or in private schools, based on their philosophies of child development; there are numerous programs, so it depends on where the school is and if it is public or private.
The day to day routine in preschool usually involves some type of daily routine which helps students feel safe, comfortable and aware of activity sequences each day. A typical day might look like: 1) social component such as morning circle time, 2) story time / discussion 3)focused brief lesson such as adding or an alphabet letter followed by an application activity to solidify lesson understanding 4) a snack and play period ( often includes centers where students rotate between activities such as motor skills, dress up play, housekeeping play, art, etc. 5)Outdoor exercise and recess, 6)Lunch, 7)Song or story 8)Nap time 9) Quiet play 10) One more play (indoor or outdoor)and then time to go home! Meaningful preschool instruction allows for development of social skills (such as discussing a situation or problem which children can discuss like sharing), emotional regulation (how we feel, and how to manage and express them), physical activity and coordination (catching a ball, throwing, hopping, jumping), art (LOTS of painting, coloring, pasting, cutting, crunching paper, touching), music (band instruments, singing, clapping,, stomping to teach rhythm, sequence, rhyming, etc.), literacy and mathematics (letter sounds, rhymes, counting, etc). It is an important part of being a preschool teacher to welcome children to school each day, make them feel important, help them be both collaborative and independent learners at appropriate times. Preschool is the foundation for so many things to come!
The day to day routine in preschool usually involves some type of daily routine which helps students feel safe, comfortable and aware of activity sequences each day. A typical day might look like: 1) social component such as morning circle time, 2) story time / discussion 3)focused brief lesson such as adding or an alphabet letter followed by an application activity to solidify lesson understanding 4) a snack and play period ( often includes centers where students rotate between activities such as motor skills, dress up play, housekeeping play, art, etc. 5)Outdoor exercise and recess, 6)Lunch, 7)Song or story 8)Nap time 9) Quiet play 10) One more play (indoor or outdoor)and then time to go home! Meaningful preschool instruction allows for development of social skills (such as discussing a situation or problem which children can discuss like sharing), emotional regulation (how we feel, and how to manage and express them), physical activity and coordination (catching a ball, throwing, hopping, jumping), art (LOTS of painting, coloring, pasting, cutting, crunching paper, touching), music (band instruments, singing, clapping,, stomping to teach rhythm, sequence, rhyming, etc.), literacy and mathematics (letter sounds, rhymes, counting, etc). It is an important part of being a preschool teacher to welcome children to school each day, make them feel important, help them be both collaborative and independent learners at appropriate times. Preschool is the foundation for so many things to come!
Dennis Nolan
Pricing/Contract Manager
85
Answers
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
On a daily basis, Preschool Teachers plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. They enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
Pedagogy relates to the “how”, or practice of educating. It refers to, “that set of instructional techniques and strategies which enable learning to take place and provide opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions within a particular social and material context.
Pedagogy relates to the “how”, or practice of educating. It refers to, “that set of instructional techniques and strategies which enable learning to take place and provide opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions within a particular social and material context.
Jessica Sera Padron
Enrollment Specialist
23
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jessica Sera’s Answer
Hi Leidy,
I have worked in a couple of preschools so I can definitely share my experience with what it's like to be a preschool teacher! During the preschool age of 3-5, the children thrive on activities to improve their motor skills, social-emotional development, and reading and literacy skills. Therefore, the preschool curriculum should be enriched to support these aspects of their development. For example, when I worked in a Montessori school, we enhanced their social-emotional skills by encouraging manners and respect for the other children. This included waiting patiently in lines to go outside or sharing crayons when coloring. To enhance motor skills, the children could play outside on the play structure or practice throwing and catching balls. In addition, I often led circle time to read stories to the preschoolers and asked open-ended questions to enhance understanding. Overall, the career as a preschool teacher can be super rewarding if you love spending time with kids and love watching them develop!
Hope this helps!
I have worked in a couple of preschools so I can definitely share my experience with what it's like to be a preschool teacher! During the preschool age of 3-5, the children thrive on activities to improve their motor skills, social-emotional development, and reading and literacy skills. Therefore, the preschool curriculum should be enriched to support these aspects of their development. For example, when I worked in a Montessori school, we enhanced their social-emotional skills by encouraging manners and respect for the other children. This included waiting patiently in lines to go outside or sharing crayons when coloring. To enhance motor skills, the children could play outside on the play structure or practice throwing and catching balls. In addition, I often led circle time to read stories to the preschoolers and asked open-ended questions to enhance understanding. Overall, the career as a preschool teacher can be super rewarding if you love spending time with kids and love watching them develop!
Hope this helps!