5/17/01 Question 101/ Taking Things
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     I work in a preschool with four and five year olds. There is a child who has been taking things from the classroom (beads, small manipulatives, etc.) The parents are very supportive and make the child return the items to us. This child is the youngest in the class (turned four on the first day of school) and nothing we do seems to get the message across that this is unacceptable. Both the parents and I have tried talking to him about this, but he seems to be too immature(?) to comprehend. Any ideas?
Taking Things   More...

5/17/01 Question 102/ Pooped out party Theme
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     Do you have any suggestions for a after school party for preschool aged children.  In the past we have done fun in the sun day where the children eat ice cream and play in the swimming pool at school.  We are kind of burned out on this activity. Any suggestions.  The rest of the school had field day where they did a number or activities. Help any suggestions.
Pooped out party theme  More...

5/24/01 Question 103/ What can a CDA do for me?
Dear Preschool Teacher,
      I am going to start taking classes for my CDA.  I was wondering what different teaching jobs can you get with this?  Can you be a kindergarten teacher.
What can a CDA do for me?   More...

5/24/01 Question 104/ When To Nap
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     Do you know how long a 3 and 4 year old can be at a program without taking a nap?
When To Nap   More...

5/24/01 Question 105/ Baseball Season
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     I want to use a baseball theme in the dramatic play, sensory and art areas.  Do you have any ideas?  I work in a Head Start classroom.
Baseball Season   More...

5/24/01 Question 106/ College Degree? Yes or No
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     I want to be a preschool teacher and I was told that you do not need a college degree to be one. This was hard to believe but is it true? What do you need to do before you can become a preschool teacher?
College Degree? Yes or No   More...

5/31/01 Question 107/ Gone Fishing For Props!
Dear Preschool Teacher,
      I need to make a prop box for one of my college classes.  I have decided on a fishing theme.  The more items that I have the better the grade.  I have a sizable list of fishing items but I am looking for more.  I am hoping not to skip any obvious ones and always ones that maybe aren't so obvious.
Thanks for your help,
Gone Fishing for props!   More...

5/31/01 Question 108/ Tired Of Tantrums
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     We have a large 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 year old room we call our "Tot Room."  We have one child who is basically out of control and we do not know what to do with him.  He does not respond to discipline (either negative or positive). If we reward the other kids for listening, he will literally throw himself all over the room in a crying fit until he decides he wants to stop.  We have tried showering him with praise for the good things that he does do, but then he'll just go and hit someone or knock down their tower, or anything he can, just to make another child cry.  So, we ask him to be nice, and he'll go into another temper tantrum.  If a staff member tries to stop him, he ends up kicking and hitting them.  We feel like we have tried everything with him.  We cannot say "yes" to everything he wants, but if we say "no," we have to be prepared for a 20 minute tantrum that disrupts the whole program.  By the way, his mother works for us, too.  So asking him to leave the Center is not an option.  Help!
Tired of Tantrums   More...

5/31/01 Question 109/ Washington Slept Here
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     My 4 year old class is visiting an historic house (literally,
Washington slept here!).  We are cutting pictures from magazines to glue on poster board houses of furnishings, etc.  and talking about what we have that people in the past didn't.  Any other simple ideas?
Washington Slept Here   More...

5/31/01 Question 110/ Disabilities Unit
Dear Preschool Teacher,
     We are looking for information on how to present a unit on Disabilities to a preschool class.  Any Activities or ideas?
Disabilities Unit   More...