.....especially in PreK.
In many ways, teaching preschoolers is like having two classes, the precious children AND their parents. For many parents, this is their first experience with the public school system. As their child's teacher, it is my job to help them navigate that new world. This is a task that I DO NOT take lightly! Building relationships with those families is of the utmost importance to me! If the relationship is intact, the teaching is the easy part.
Building relationships with my students has always been critical to me. Children learn better when they feel safe and valued. I spend the first couple of weeks setting the routines and procedures, as I'm sure all professional educators do. What I also teach, and build on for the rest of the year, is the safety and valued piece. We talk about being a good friend, conflict resolution, and a wide variety of social skills.
There is a great educator, who was gone too soon, that sums it up best for me. She said, "Kids don't learn from people they don't like." I love her!! Please enjoy this clip.https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion/transcript?language=en
