Question: 159, 160, 161, 162, 163

6/14/02 Question 159

Dear Preschool Teacher,
     I am looking for a pattern or directions for a preschool graduation cap or a site to go to.
Thanks
How To Make A Cap

Dear How To Make A Cap,
     I took a 9 inch square for the top and used a sentence strip to fit around the child's head. I turned down 1/2 inch  of the sentence strip; made cuts around to glue on the 9 inch square. Then took yarn and made the tassel to fit in the center.
Doris
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

Dear How To Make A Cap,
     I do not know of any sites with directions for caps but why not try the style that is made for Thanksgiving and add a mortar board from poster-board on top.  You could use a paper fastener to push through from inside to attach the board and fold the ends at the top.  Then attach a tassel to that.  I have not made this ,it is just an idea.   
Good luck.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

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6/14/02 Question 160

Dear Preschool Teacher,
     My director told me today that a child told his mother that I hit him. At first I told my self not to worry because it not true, but now I am worry sick. What can I do ?
Wrongfully Accused

Dear Wrongfully Accused,
     This happened to my assistant this year, and it wasn't true. We separately wrote down the events of the day as to how it related to the child. When we compared our notes, it was almost identical.
     Did you have an assistant in the room with you that witnessed your innocence? You should definitely write down everything you did that day. You think you will remember when further questioned, but you probably won't.
Good luck!
Peg
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

Dear Wrongfully Accused,
     You can document any situation that may have happened with the child. Outline your routine for the day.  I would ask my director what she said to the parent and tell her about the documentation.  Then the three of you would probably need to have a meeting.  Include the child so that he can tell his side of the story.  He may tell the truth when he has to confront you or can explain what he thought happened.  I would not let it pass. But be sure you have a witness when you talk to the mother too.  If she talks to other parents it could be blown way out of proportion.  Deal with it quickly.  It may have been an accidental touch that the child felt.  I have turned and waved my arm and bumped a child before.  Try to remember what might have happened.  I hope it works out for everyone.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

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6/14/02 Question 161

Dear Preschool Teacher,
     My 4-year old daughter finished first in her nursery. She already knows the alphabet, can write her name, has had civics, science and math lessons including fractions but she CAN'T read. I am a working mom and I have time with her a little over 2 hours before bedtime on weekdays.  But I have a stay-in sitter who's willing to share her time teaching.  How can I approach
this opportunity and then let my sitter supervise activities in the
afternoon before I arrive from work?  Am I pushing my daughter too much?
Pushing Mom

Dear Pushing Mom,
     If your child is ready to learn how to read, she will learn it by being read to! I point at the individual words as I read.
One of my children learned how to read at age 3 1/2. But she was ready. I taught her the same way as I did all my other children: read, read, read and I have always pointed at the words while reading.
Heide
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

Dear Pushing Mom,
     It depends.  Is she learning all this and having fun?  Or is she crying every time you work with her?  If she looks at books and constantly asks what it says, she may be ready to learn simple words.  Does she know the sounds the letters make?  It isn't necessary that she can read yet.  It does sound like she is doing a lot of academics.  Maybe she should take a break and do some fun stuff.  She'll still learn a lot that way.  Take your
cues from her.  Work for short periods and make a game out of learning.  If she cries or whines, it is time for a break.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

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6/14/02 Question 162

Dear Preschool Teacher,
     I'm doing a project on the introduction of Homosexuality to children at young age for my highs school sociology class.  If you could help me with the ways children learn and accept their differences and if there are any, ways of introducing homosexuality it  would be greatly appreciated
Introducing Homosexuality

Dear Introducing Homosexuality, 
     Why would anyone want to introduce any sexual preference materials at this age?  Children at this age are just learning the differences in their hair and eye color.  Children accept all differences until someone tells them it is bad or wrong.  This is not really an issue that should be taught at any time, but especially to young children.  Do we teach them about
heterosexuality?  They are just beginning to understand that boys and girls are different.  Children learn best by doing and this is NOT an appropriate lesson topic.  They just do not have the thinking ability necessary to comprehend the subject.  I can't believe this is even a project at school. It is ridiculous.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

Dear Introducing Homosexuality, 
     I think that it would really depend on the age of
the children that are involved. The preschool that I
work at we have two children that have two moms. At
the preschool age I think it is a little young to
really get into any great detail about the subject.
The other children know that these children have two
moms and they accept it as that. Some of them do ask
why they don't have a dad and all we say is that they
just don't, they have two moms instead. I tried to ask
my 9 year old son if he had any idea why someone would
have two moms or two dads and really couldn't
understand why, but he did think that these two people
could love each other just like a man and a woman
could.
Lisa
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

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6/14/02 Question 163

Dear Preschool Teacher,
     I really hope that you can help me with this one. I just started teaching a new class at a new school and our summer jamboree is coming up fast. Each lead teacher must come up with a summer activity for this event. I was just wondering if you knew of any good outdoor games/activities that would be suitable for 4-5 yr olds during our jamboree. Thank you so much for your help!
Summer Jamboree

Dear Summer Jamboree,
     Four and fives love to be outdoors!  Try a ring toss game or
bowling-type game for eye-hand coordination.  Also tossing things  at a target is fun.  Spraying water at a target is a favorite.  A hoop jumping game is another choice.  Lay the hoops in a line and have the children jump into all of them.
Jackie
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

Dear Summer Jamboree,
     Some outdoor games that I thought of could be; a tug of war between classrooms, a water balloon toss, the parachute, red light, green light and Simon says.
Lisa
"Ask The Preschool Teacher Staff"

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