What I've Learned

When I started this job as a preschool teacher, I decided I didn't want to expect perfection of myself, but instead made a goal for myself to learn something each day and then work on incorporating that thing for the next few days. After 34 days of working there, here are 34 things I've learned (or relearned):

1. Don't be ashamed or afraid to ask for help--when you really need it, swallow your pride and ask for help. People are usually willing and happy to help.
2. When a kid is potty-training, don't say: "Johnny, it's time to go potty," but rather, "Johnny, come with me" and then take him by the hand to the potty, and you'll get a lot less resistance.
3. Know your boundaries and stick by them. When a kid stays within the boundaries, reward him. When a kid steps out of the boundaries, have natural consequences for it.
4. Enjoy and cherish the magic of childhood. Remember that everything is so new to these children and celebrate their discoveries with them. Life is precious and is a gift from God--enjoy it!!
5. Talk to the children, not at them.
6. When a child is not listening to you, physical contact (touching their arm, holding their face, sometimes even just getting close to them) works much better at getting their attention than raising your voice.
7. Focus on the children's interests, feelings, and needs rather than on the rules and expectations of the program.
8. When talking to children, use short, simple, concise, concrete phrases rather than lengthy explanations or directions.
9. Involve the children as much as possible in everything you do.
10. Take time to give rewards (stickers, high-fives, verbal praise by name), and you will thank yourself for it.
11. Make a point of teaching good manners and respect for elders by having them say "yes ma'am" rather than just "yes."
12. Don't ask the children if they can or want to do something, direct them by saying phrases such as "Will you please..." or "I need you to..." or "I want you to..."
13. Play with the children and use that as an incentive for the children. Also, use the kids' desire to be your big helper as an incentive.
14. Focus on the people you serve rather than on whether or not you are doing a good job serving them.
15. The Atonement can make up for your shortcomings. With the help and grace of Jesus Christ, everything that is honestly worked towards is good enough.
16. Relax and focus on quality rather than on quantity. It's better to let things go than to feel stressed and consequently have a tense atmosphere in your class.
17. Logic often fails in working with small children, and so following intution and the Spirit is often the better way to go about helping a small child who is having a hard time.
18. Assume that everyone around you is honestly doing their best with what they have.
19. Children are innocent and need direction, correction, and consequences--not punishment or reprimanding.
20. Losing your patience with difficult children is a temptation that can only be overcome by prayer, fasting, and the Atonement.
21. Give children 3 and 1 minute warnings for times of transition.
22. There is not one "good teacher," so it's pointless to compare yourself to others. Everyone uses their strengths and personality to teach with a different style, and you need to focus on using your strengths and personality to be the best teacher you can be.
23. It's more important what God thinks of how you're doing your job than what management thinks of how you're doing your job. Follow the rules of the organization, but don't be preoccupied with pleasing management.
24. Choosing not to ever speak poorly of a coworker is so worth it. When you are having a hard time with a coworker, seek advice and understanding from the Spirit and outside sources, not another coworker.
25. Priesthood blessings can calm hearts and open the floodgate of revelation.
26. Kids need to know you're the boss and you're in control, or else they will feel their life is out of control and act out.
27. Love never fails--when you feel that all else is failing, seek to express love for the kids.
28. Think of the manual labor involved in raising kids as service rather than drudgery.
29. Physical touch and activity is so important for my class! Hugs, high fives, holding hands, jumping, running--these things are invaluable and must be incorporated into the day for it to go well.
30. Pray for specific things that you and your kids need help with rather than general blessings.
31. When children are upset, give them words for what they are feeling and then offer them a possible plan of action for them to feel better.
32. Sometimes my children will say "I can't do it!" when I ask them to do something. I know they can, but they think they can't. I tell them they have to try and then I will help them. I think that's the way with us and Heavenly Father--if we just try, He will help us, but we have to try.
33. To save your back, bend from the legs--even if you look silly doing it!
34. Encourage the children that they are big and can make good choices rather than emphasizing that they are not making good choices.

Here's to many more lessons to come!