Preschool Art - School Life & Home Life

Rachel - posted on 10/13/2009

Since you have a short time slot with the kids, maybe you could try a two day (or however many days fit into your lesson plans.) project? I found that to work well when I was teaching preschool. I have worked with toddlers, 3-12 year olds and every class I taught in I always had a collaborative project or week long projects -the kiddos loved them and all projects turned out wonderful. That is really cool that you teach art at a preschool - I have never seen/ heard of a preschool that had individual teachers for art and such. I have always had to do it all lol so the majority of my lessons were interdisciplinary. Good luck hun ! Enjoy the kiddies and your job- your will make friends soon enough :) being new I would just try to make my room up and get your class schedule down really everything else will fall into place. Hope this helps a little good luck !

Sandie - posted on 10/07/2009

The trick to art with preschoolers is this- PROCESS, NOT PRODUCT The kids learn from doing, hands on experiences is what is important for them at that age so dont worry about rushing to get something done, and the director should know that at the preschool age a totally teacher directed art project isnt work their time or yours. Let them explore, use their senses, and create on their own. you provide the materials and model various things. Any early childhood educator with a masters degree in early childhood could tell you that- check with the directors to see if they understand what is Developmentally appropriate and what is not.

Kristy - posted on 10/04/2009

When I started the kindergarten position I'm in now 3 years ago, I also was nervous and upset by other teachers in the school who thought they were better than me and gave me a cold shoulder. It seemed like no matter how hard I tried it didn't make a difference in whether or not they liked me or respected me. That first year I found atleast one good friend who I could really talk to and trusted and that made all the difference. I learned that not everyone will like you, and there will always be people who for one reason or another don't like you or respect you. It's frustrating because they act that way most of the time without even knowing you at all. Anyway, my days went much smoother and were less stressful when I stopped worrying about what they thought. As long as you know you're doing your best thats all you can do! Good luck...it gets easier every year!

Christi - posted on 10/02/2009

Hi Sara,

I believe you are where God wants you to be. Sometimes its hard to overlook others, but that is exactly what WE need to do. I feel like you do sometimes, and I have made a promise to myself and God that I will go into work and concentrate only own my class! I love my job and if I let others upset me or make me uncomfortable my children in my class are suffering too and they do not deserve that. Their bright little smiles and the hugs I receive when they come in and when they leave makes my day worth getting up.

I pray that you are or will be having brighter days!

Christi

Lynette - posted on 09/26/2009

Hi Sarah,
I know you probably know this already, but just keep in mind that preschool art should be a freedom of their expression. If you are judged by what the end result is than those people don't know too much about preschoolers! It's about fun and expressing themselves. Keeping that in mind before you start class everyday hopefully will help relieve your stress and help you stay positive. As a preschool teacher and director myself, I know that many times I have been looked down on by other teachers because they don't consider me a "real" teacher. Try not to let them intimidate you, they don't realize that we are molding and preparing these children for them to take over once they enter kindergarten. The outlook and self esteem that these children receive in preschool will carry on through the years. It is extremely important! I chuckle when I come across teachers that think they are better than me. I have 30 yrs of experience working with children and most of these teachers were not even born yet! :~) Good Luck!
Lynette

Sabrina - posted on 09/25/2009

Just breathe. People will learn to treat you how you treat them - like when you're having a rotten day and someone you come across is just smiling and open and you can't help but smile a bit too? I'm a highschool art teacher who is kind of in her second year... I took over in November last year as a sub and got contracted half-way through at my school, so I was treated like a sub instead of a teacher and love that this year I'm coming in that way ... I feel stressed sometimes, too. And ya know, maybe those 'cold' teachers really are nervous too and don't know how to act around you, so that's how they come off. It'll take time. As far as artsy projects, sometimes it's easier to start with larger collaborative things. Kids can collab on a project so one class can pick up where another starts... Just a thought, but it can be fun, less stressful, and you end up with large, awesome stuff. I still remember a giant neighborhood mural my Kindergarten classes did... individual houses, buildings, and even people and birds all put together. A good transition from the craftines to longer projects.



Anywho, good luck. And feel better. Art teachers rock!