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3-2-00 Question 13
Dear Preschool Teacher,
I currently have a four year old girl. She is very sweet
and funny. That is the problem. She is great. Learns quite quickly with some
things, but others are a great big joke.
When I give her instructions, she thinks that I am just
kidding. She won't do the work. When I try and enforce the work rules, she
gets upset, and/or laughs like I was joking. How do I get this little girl
to accept my instructions?
Thanks! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Too much joking
Dear Too Much Joking,
First things first: be glad that this little girl has
such a good sense of humor!
You talk about "work" and giving her "work
rules". I have to ask you, what kind of work do you expect her to
do? I am assuming you mean, following a routine, practicing the
alphabet, etc. From a developmental stand point, it is important to remember
that four year olds learn best by playing... however, this does not mean
that she cannot learn to follow a routine or learn the letters in her name.
Try making "work" fun, by playing games such as letter lotto, turn
sorting manipulatives into a math counting game, read lots of books and help
her make her own; whatever you can to make learning fun and play upon her
sense of humor and happy personality.
As far as following a routine, you can make a poster
board using Polaroid pictures or drawings of the tasks she needs to
accomplish during her day and have her mark "done" items with
stickers.
Good Luck, and Be Patient. Keep her school
experiences positive so that she'll retain a love of learning
Jill
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" staff member
Dear Too Much Joking,
Maybe the girl in question has some type of learning
disability. She may be laughing to hide the fact she is confused.
Take notes on the things she has difficulty with learning. Also note
the areas she excels in learning. Talk to your Director or Lead Teacher
(we have lead teachers in Public School) about the direction to take for
testing.
Good Luck!
Annie
"Ask the Preschool Teacher" staff member
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