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Last month, I wrote about 10 Things Your Kindergarten Student Wants You to Know. This month, I wanted to share The Truth About Teaching Kindergarten – a bit more about what Kindergarten teachers may want you to know!
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If you are a Kindergarten teacher, you likely already know everything that I am about to say in this post. You know what goes into a typical day in Kindergarten. You know what Kindergarten teachers and students do each and every day.
I used to think everyone understood what goes on in Kindergarten. At least, until I began to be on the receiving end of comments such as these: (Please note that I understand these were sometimes said with the best intentions!)
“Oh, you teach Kindergarten – that must be pretty easy, right?”
“You really like Kindergarten? I would have guessed you would like something a bit more challenging where you do more.”
“Ahh, Kindergarten is fun, you get to teach them the alphabet!”
“It must be fun to play with the kids all day.”
“What do you mean you can’t join us? School gets out at 2:30 right?”
“Oh, they are just so cute! They must be dolls all day long.”
“Back in my day, we had 30 kids in a class, 25 kinders isn’t many.”
“Kindergarten? Well, at least they don’t have to learn too much in Kindergarten.”
I used to (and sometimes still do honestly) get really annoyed at these comments and feel the need to defend myself and Kindergarten teachers everywhere.
Then I realized that the people making these comments actually aren’t making them to be rude. I’ve come to realize that honestly, they just don’t know the truth about Kindergarten.
They think they are just making conversation and actually perhaps giving compliments. People just don’t know, and can I fault them for that?
If I could guarantee that everyone in the world would read this post, that would be glorious. I know the reality is that the people who read this post are probably already teachers. But, I am okay with that! We can stand together and know what really goes on in Kindergarten.
For a good laugh, check out 7 (funny) signs that you are a Kindergarten teacher.
Here is the TRUTH about teaching Kindergarten (from the eyes of this Kindergarten teacher anyway) in direct response to those comments:
Kindergarten is most definitely not easy. I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade as well where, yes, the content grows and gets more complicated, but I find Kindergarten to be the hardest, in my opinion (and still my favorite) of all. (Not to say other grades aren’t hard – teaching is hard!) You are taking some students who come in literally not knowing any letters or numbers, and unlocking the keys to literacy and math!
Have you looked at the most current standards for what Kindergartners need to know? (I guess if you aren’t a teacher this probably wouldn’t be your weekend leisure reading. š ) It is not simply ABC’s and 123’s but rather things such as: fluently adding and subtracting within 5, decomposing numbers to 10, adding and subtracting within 10, reading CVC words and high-frequency words, and much, much more.
When I taught older grades, if a student was struggling, I could go back to “the basics” and build up from there. In Kindergarten, we kind of are the basics! If you ask me, sometimes the basics can be the hardest of all to teach, because they are the foundation pieces of future learning.
Forget academics for a minute. Some things we take for granted in a classroom (lining up, going to the bathroom, sitting down, putting things away, etc.) many Kindergartners have NO IDEA how to do at the beginning of the year!
If you think getting 25 Kindergartners in a line to follow you somewhere on the first day is easy, think again. I am telling you, they wander, they don’t understand to follow the person in front of them until many train songs and practice sessions later. If you don’t believe me, come visit me in September. š
Forget routines for a minute. Let’s talk social skills. Kindergarten is a HUGE year for learning social skills.
Things such as taking turns, conversations with peers, how to handle when you don’t get your way, managing emotions. Those things are taught and fostered each day in Kindergarten and do not just “happen.” They also aren’t easy to teach.
This is different than having children at home, where yes, VERY important (perhaps the most important) learning is happening. This is a whole classroom of children at once, each needing social skills support in different areas.
I am not sure what you mean by “do more.” In Kindergarten, I don’t think I ever sit down, unless I am reading a story or working with a small group. Instead, I am constantly on the go, assessing, evaluating, teaching, helping, nurturing, and much more.
If you mean more challenging by more challenging content, see above about why Kindergarten content isn’t necessarily “easy” to teach.
Yes, I do get to teach them the alphabet, and that IS fun! I also teach them what those letters mean and how they relate to our everyday world and reading.
Phonemic awareness, number sense, patterning, life skills, social skills, are more ways I get to prepare them for their journey in school and life.
I do have fun teaching, and we do play in Kindergarten! I am very blessed to be in a school that supports the importance of play at this age. However, “all day” is a bit of a stretch, and I think the term “play” is not correctly understood.
When children are engaging with centers and toys (kitchen, blocks, legos, books, dramatic play, sensory) they are NOT “just playing.”
They are:
– building social skills
– taking turns
– learning how to have conversations
– learning real-life skills and applications
– doing math
– reading
– working on fine motor skills
– being inquirers
– making connections and much, much more
My students leave at 2:30 yes. I am allowed to leave at 4. Do I? Not often.
There is lesson planning, room preparation, paperwork, evaluations, data, and much, MUCH more. A teacher’s work is truly never done.
Yes, however, they are also 5 and 6 years old and learning how to navigate this world of school.
Their social skills are developing and depending on personalities each day can be very different from the next. They may cry, have tantrums, lash out, need more support with interactions, be tired, cranky, and more.
This is to be expected sometimes and it is my job to help them grow! It just, however, isn’t always so “cute.” š
If you asked your teacher I bet he/she would disagree. š The higher the number of students means less one-on-one time with students. I can assure you I work HARD to ensure that my kids feel like they are the one and only and I ensure that each and every child’s individual needs are met. But I can guarantee that if I had a smaller class size it would be even stronger.
I have heard before, “You are doing great with that many kids!” So my response is, “Well, then imagine what I could do with less!”
While I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world, I know for a fact that smaller class sizes have a significant impact on teachers and students both.
I don’t think I need to answer this one actually. See above. š
No matter if you are a teacher or not, each job in this world has its place and is special in its own way. I truly believe that we can’t fully understand someone’s job unless we do it ourselves.
My hope is that these thoughts can provide a bit of a glimpse into not just a Kindergarten teacher’s day, but really any teacher’s day!
I love teaching. It is such a huge part of me that I can’t really imagine doing anything else! So, for all you teachers out there, Kindergarten or not, keep on doing what you do best!
This post was not meant to just defend or share the hard things I do in a day. I want to end on this positive note with the many wonderful things I do (and every other teacher too) every day!
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80 Responses
I am deeply in love with everything you’ve said here. This also happens to be my weekend leisurely reading because I aspire to get my degree in ECE. I’m no teacher, just a young parent. The only reason I came across this is because I am watching my babies grow and I can’t help but dream of continuing to watch a young child’s mind expand and learn even with the tantrums as a job. I’m so excited to fall in love with a career path I’ve chosen finally before furthering my education. Reading this just made my heart melt and I can’t wait to be asked those questions just to feel the way you’ve described. That would mean that I made it. I’ve got a long way to go. Thank you for reading.
What a wonderful message! Thank you for sharing with us. We wish you luck on your teaching journey!
If teaching 30 kids is easy, why do so many of us parents get exhausted with our own 3 kids. Nobody wants to stay home anymore. I volunteered every week when my kids were in elementary school from K through 6 grade; as an art docent, math tutor, Everyone’s a Reader program, room parent, etc.. It is non stop energy, sometimes working through lunch, planning, prepping. I don’t know how teachers do it without a personal assistant. VOLUNTEER so teachers can focus on your kids and not do all the mundane copying, cutting, grading, cleaning, etc. So many parents hold back kids and some start at age 4, so a classes can have ages 4,5 and 6 all at different levels, cultures, backgrounds, special needs and behavior issues. And don’t forget, kids aren’t always disciplined, many are neglected, parents are overworked, too exhausted to even know what the child is learning. Teachers have masters degrees and ongoing education and then they have to deal with the government telling them how to teach. I personally would like to see government out of it, more competition for good teachers, and procedures to get rid of teachers that kids and parents know are not fit for the job.
Hi there,
These are all great points that you’ve brought up for sure! How wonderful that you’ve been so involved at your children’s school. What a gift that you’ve been to those teachers and students!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Have a wonderful week!
Thank you for writing such an amazing and informational post! š
I will share this article with my friends||
Just loved the post ā¤
I have considered being a kindergarten teacher for many years, but never pursued it for various reasons. Today I realized that this is my dream job and I should just go for it. I came across this blog and it just solidified that I would LOVE this job, despite (and sometimes because of) the challenges it comes with. Thank you so much for sharing the reality of kindergarten.
Hi Erica!
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us. You will LOVE kindergarten! It definitely has it’s challenges but is so very rewarding. We wish you well on your journey!
I am TRYING hard to not let all these snarky comments bother me when I hear them..itās tough..but getting better at it. I taught full day k many years ago and just recently got back in the classroom after raising my boys…our k program is currrently half day. So I have 2 classes of 20…itās exhausting…but I love what I do. We donāt have an assistant and about 50 min between classes to get set up again, eat, answer emails and make phone calls and oh have a team meeting. Not so glamorous! But wouldnāt trade it for the world. š
Keep up the good work, Lori! Your students are so blessed to have you. Have a wonderful school year!
Thank you for posting this truthful article. I am sending my first child to kindergarten in 20 days and I am so nervous! Your post helped me understand kindergarten teachers a little more and gave me a bit of assurance that my child will be in good hands.
Hi Madison,
We are so happy you’ve found comfort in our article. It is so tough sending your first child off to kindergarten. I remember I was emotional for months every time I dropped off my daughter at Kindergarten. She was so excited and our school community was perfection. Even still it was hard to see her go. It’ll get easier as time goes on, I promise. My daughter is now in junior high. Sending her to school has been a wonderful experience and so much fun to watch her learn and grow. There’s so much to look forward to! Enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast!
Hi Marianne,
This was awesome! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am a special education teacher and have always taught in the inner-city populations and even in alternative schools. I have taught multiple grades and even some K students. I was interested in this because this upcoming year, I have accepted a position to teach a special education classroom with just kindergarteners. I am unbelievably excited about this change, but it is going to be a major change. It is no longer in the city and there is actually a long waiting list to get into the school. I am not saying there aren’t behaviors, but there will be a significant difference. I am a little nervous, but also excited about the challenge.
I honestly believe that teaching youger students is much more difficult than the older students that I am used to teaching. I agree with you 100%. In fact, I feel like I am going to have to learn a whole new skill set. I am a lifelong learner, so I am all for it! I have been researching kindergarten teaching ever since I heard the news of my new job. I appreciate all of your information. I feel you cannot look at a 5 year old and assume anything. In many areas, they are a blank slate. The beauty of teaching kindergarten is that you are always working, always teaching, always caring, always loving, and always inspiring!
I cannot wait to start this next phase of my life! Thank you so much for giving me a proper perspective on what it will be like for me. I actually read the answer to the first question to my husband, and he said, “Darn, this sounds much different than what you are used to! Are you sure you will be ok?” Lol, I know I will be great and love doing it, but he’s not a teacher! I also know it will not be easy as so many people believe! Thanks again!
Tobi
I loved reading this. It is so true. I am a Pre-K teacher and the same holds true for us. I start the year off by telling parents what their children are expected to know when they start kindergarten, and how early they start to teach reading and they are shocked. Then I tell them it is our job to get them ready for kindergarten. My friends and family cannot believe the sheer volume of things I download, laminate and have them cut out for me. It has given them all a different perspective on pre-school.I love teaching this age group. My greatest joy came this year when we were celebrating our 100 days. I asked the children what they could do now that they couldn’t do when they first came into our room. One of the girls said,””I know how to think now because you always ask me questions I have to think about.” That is why I teach.
Hi Marianne, this is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us. This is why we teach. š
Thank you. I feel acknowledged and appreciated reading your post as must so many others teaching children of this age. Itās unforgivable when collegues make the statements too. I wish parents and the wider community would read your lovely article.i
Bless your heart, Sherryl! Yes, I agree, the wider community needs to have more empathy and understanding of children in the classroom setting at this age. Thanks for reading!
First impressions last a life time. What a challenge and a blessing to be the one that marks the child with the wanna learn ability. I shall never forget my first grade teacher and most if not all of my elementary teachers. They did a lot to instill the motivation to learn. Good teachers are priceless!! Gloria, you are one of those that the kids will never forget!!
You are so sweet, Martha! Thank you for your kind words. You are so right, good teachers are priceless!
I feel bad for probably having said all the things you listed above to Kindergarten teachers when I was younger and didn’t have kids yet. Now that I have my third child in Kindergarten I know how challenging it is! I drive a school bus and I know all about how the little ones don’t know how to behave yet. There are lots of reminders about appropriate safety and social behaviors on the bus. Some kids take the whole year to improve but they are my favorite age! I love the big bright eyed looks they give when they are telling you something that happened.