The preschool teacher provides a safe environment for the child to learn. She keeps the classroom hazard free, while allowing the children to play, interact and experience new things. She guides preschoolers to walk in the classroom instead of running and to keep hands and feet from hurting others. She monitors the language and atmosphere in the classroom and does not allow any student to bully another or to call names. When students feel safe in the classroom, they feel safe to learn and explore.
The teacher prepares developmental appropriate lessons that challenge the child without overwhelming him. The lessons give the student guidance to learn and provide options in activities. She encourages children to believe in themselves and to experiment with new ideas. She learns with the child, guiding him to trust his abilities and shares his wonder at new and interesting things.
The preschool teachers guides the behaviors of her charges by modeling the behavior she wants to see. She speaks politely to others and says “please” and “thank you.” She speaks at an appropriate volume for the classroom. She replaces toys and equipment when she is through and shares well with others. Students learn appropriate social skills by observing her and copying her manners.
Many preschoolers have a lot to say if you are willing to listen. The preschool teacher listens with his ears and eyes, observing the behaviors that accompany the words spoken by the child. He sits down at the child’s eye level and gives the child his full attention. The preschooler learns her words are important and worth listening to. She also learns to listen to others, following the guidance of her teacher’s behavior.
Preschool teachers may spend more concentrated time with the preschooler than a working parent. The teacher communicates concerns to the parent and works with the parent to guide the child through the steps of growing and learning. She listens to the parent and takes note of difficulties the child may have at home, guiding the child in healthy ways to deal with difficult situations. She may alert the parent to strategies that can ease the problems for the child and build a consistency between the home and the classroom.