Job Discussion Forums

[pyrobaby]

So later this week I start a new part-time gig teaching a few days a week at a kindergarten (3-5 year olds). I've taught about 12-60 year olds before but never kids this young. I've been looking at lots of stuff online and it's helpful and all, but I haven't found anything about how to handle the first time in a class. I'm honestly unsure if these kids have ever used English before and I'm just being thrown in, so I'm not sure how to start things. Any advice or link-directing would be much appreciated.

[bornslippy1981]

First thing to realize is they won't know if you make a mistake. If you wig out, they'll catch onto that. Just relax, and have fun. Repeat everything, and try to get the kids to repeat everything.

You'll do fine. It can only go uphill after the first day.

Good luck.

[pyrobaby]

[bornslippy1981]

Are you taking over an existing class? If so, then hopefully they'll understand a little. If not, no worries.

If they don't understand, that's fine. The main thing in the beginning is getting them to say the language. They probably won't be able to do more than one or two words at a time, so you just work with them on it.

You say: "What's your name?" Hand gesture for them to repeat. Repeat it with them a few times. Then say, "My name is Pyrobaby." Then have them ask each other. Once they get bored, stand up and move around a bit, then sit back down.

Could you provide a little more information about the class, such as:

How does the day start off? Do you sing, or just sit in a circle? How long is the class? How big is the classroom? What type of resources do you have readily available.....toys, games, music, objects, etc.? How many other teachers are at the school?

The main thing I remember when I taught 2.5-5 year-olds was you have to keep them interested, which is easier said than done. Hand gestures, facial expressions, getting them into a routine, not focusing on one kid enough because they're struggling to repeat. They're just scared, but eager to learn.

Another good thing is speaking with the parents after. We used to tell the parents at the end of the day what we did. Granted, it was just me saying a few things in English, then the assistant would speak in Japanese for awhile. But, it got the parents asking the kids questions when they left, and they were excited to come back.

Also, picking the kids up and tossing them around is another way to get them comfortable. Once you do it for one though, be prepared to do it for everybody else, as they'll all want to touch the ceiling.

[Apsara]

I used to teach 15 minute "lessons" to groups of 3-6 year olds, up to 30 at a time. All I could really do with those circumstances was flashcards with colours, foods and animals etc., and an action song like "Head shoulders knees and toes" before I had to move onto the next room.

I was 21 then and had the energy for it, but I was glad it was only two hours a week, it was exhausting! There used to be one or two Japanese teachers on hand for crowd control, it would probably have turned into a total melee otherwise.

If you had a smaller group and more time you could do lots more obviously- activities, games etc.

[pyrobaby]

[Glenski]

If the kindergarten lets you teach solo, I'd be surprised. So, find out right away if you will have a co-teacher (or even a bunch of parents) in the room at the same time, even if they do nothing.

As for introductions, that'll take about 10 seconds. If the kids are like mine, they will have watched plenty of morning TV programs where Eric or Motch or Kebo or Jenny have just said, "Hi, I'm _________ . "What's your name?!"

[Quibby84]

Big groups of kindergarteners are the easiest because they think everything is fun. ESPECIALLY music with actions. They also really like those big books. They always complain when I finish the book because they want more, even if it is in English.
My first time I taught them "here you are" and "thank you" and used small bean bags to play little games. Also we always do walk, run, jump, and stop. So I will say walk walk walk and the kids walk around the room and then when I say STOP they have to freeze in whatever position they are in. They thing this is the funnest thing ever. We also do hello song where they have to shake hands and when the first verse is over they have to hurry and switch partners (they hello song that sings it three times), we usually do this two times.
Anything that lets them move around is good..like I said, they think everything is fun...hehe

[David W]

Have a song, a game (bingo is good) and a picture book, preferably a lift the flaps type like the Spot series. First kindy class I do ievery year is always the same.
Song- "Thumbkin"
Game- Alphabet Bingo
Picture Book- Spot
Finished. With the song, demonstrate all the actions first before you play the song. With games, check after every step, with Bingo I check every students card after every letter is called.
Good luck, 30 minutes will fly by.

[flyer]

yeh if all else fails

do plenty of songs and throw in a few simple games