Topics To Help 4

PRE-K Years

When explaining the difference between bothering and bullying to pre-K children, it’s important to keep things simple and clear, using examples they can understand. Here’s how you can break it down:

Bothering:

Definition: Bothering is when someone does something that might annoy or make another person upset, but it is usually not meant to hurt them.
Example: A child might take another child’s toy for a second, but then quickly give it back and say sorry. It’s something that happens in a moment, and the person doing it might not realize how it feels.
Key Points for Kids: It’s a mistake, not on purpose, and the person doesn’t keep doing it over and over.

Bullying:

Definition: Bullying is when someone hurts or bothers another child on purpose, and they keep doing it even if the other child asks them to stop. It is hurtful and makes the other child feel scared, sad, or bad.
Example: A child keeps calling another child mean names or taking their toys every day even after being told to stop. This makes the other child feel sad or scared.
Key Points for Kids: Bullying happens over and over, and it’s meant to hurt someone’s feelings.

How Teachers Can Help:

Model Kindness and Respect: Teachers can show kids how to treat each other with kindness. They can role-play how to handle conflicts without bothering or bullying.
Encourage Communication: Teach kids to use their words to express how they feel if someone is bothering them. They should feel comfortable saying, “Please stop,” or “That makes me sad.”
Create a Safe Space: Teachers should encourage a classroom where everyone feels safe and respected, with clear rules about no bullying.
Act Quickly: If bullying is noticed, it’s important to stop it right away, help the child who is being hurt, and explain why the behavior is not acceptable.
Teach Empathy: Encourage children to think about how others feel. For example, “How would you feel if someone took your toy and didn’t give it back?” This helps them understand the impact of their actions.

By teaching these concepts early on and creating a supportive environment, teachers can help pre-K kids understand the difference between bothering and bullying, and learn how to interact respectfully.

CONVERSATION STARTERS TO TRY

COMMUNICATION IS KEY: USE THESE CONVERSATION STARTERS WHICH CAN HELP OPEN THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS

Tell me ways you can be kind to someone?

How can you be a good friend?

What would you do if someone pushed you on the playground?

How would you feel if someone called you a mean name?

Teaching pre-K children about healthy screen time is all about helping them understand balance and the importance of other activities. Since young children are still learning about time management and the world around them, making it fun and simple is key. Here are some ways teachers can introduce this topic:

1. Use Simple Language:

Example: “We use screens sometimes, but it’s important to do other fun things too, like playing outside, reading, or drawing!”
Keep the explanation simple and concrete, using terms they can easily understand.

2. Introduce a Routine:

Help children understand that screen time can be part of their day but isn’t all of it. Teachers can create a schedule that includes times for screen activities, but also times for other things like play, snack, or rest.
Example: “We can watch our fun show after we finish our drawing time and snack.”

3. Make Screen Time Interactive:

When screen time is part of the learning experience (like an educational app), make it interactive and connected to real-world activities. After using a screen, encourage children to talk about what they saw or play out what they learned.
Example: After watching a nature video, ask the kids to pretend to be animals or plants they saw in the video.

4. Talk About Why Other Activities Are Important:

Emphasize the benefits of other activities like playing outside, reading, or interacting with friends. Help kids see that using screens is just one way to learn, but there are many other ways to grow.
Example: “Reading a book helps your brain grow strong, and playing outside helps your body grow healthy!”

5. Set Clear Limits with Visuals:

Use timers or visual aids to help kids understand how long they can have screen time. A visual timer or clock is a great tool for this.
Example: “You can watch this video for 10 minutes, and then we’ll go outside to play!”

6. Model Healthy Screen Time Habits:

Teachers can show kids how to use screens in healthy ways by using them for educational purposes and demonstrating balance. For instance, showing that after a short screen time activity, they immediately transition to something else like reading a book or playing.
Example: Teachers can say, “Now that we finished our screen time, let’s play a game together!”

7. Encourage Active Play After Screen Time:

After screen time, encourage children to move and engage in physical activities. This helps them burn off energy and learn that balance is important.
Example: After a short video or app activity, teachers can say, “Let’s go outside to run and jump like kangaroos!”

8. Discuss Feelings After Screen Time:

Ask children how they feel after watching something on a screen. This helps them connect emotions with activities, and they can learn to recognize when they’ve had enough.
Example: “How do you feel after that video? Are you ready for something else, like a puzzle or a snack?”

9. Be a Role Model:

Teachers can model the behavior they want to see. If the teacher is mindful of their own screen use, children will pick up on that example. Limiting screen time for teachers when interacting with students sets a strong example for healthy habits.

10. Incorporate Non-Screen Activities in Learning:

Create opportunities for learning without screens. Storytelling, drawing, role-playing, and building blocks can all be valuable, interactive ways to learn without a screen.
Example: “Let’s build a castle with blocks just like the one we saw on the video!”

By keeping things simple, visual, and fun, teachers can teach pre-K children that while screen time is okay in moderation, there’s a world of learning and fun outside of it!

CONVERSATION STARTERS TO TRY

COMMUNICATION IS KEY: USE THESE CONVERSATION STARTERS WHICH CAN HELP OPEN THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS

The Internet is a place where you can learn all kinds of things. We use it to learn and stay on touch with people. We do not ever share our real names, addresses or where we go to school, or where any of your family works or lives on any apps or websites.

make sure you don’t click on any pop-ups or watch anything without an adult approval.

Building healthy self-esteem in pre-K children is essential for their emotional development and confidence. Teachers play a key role in fostering a positive self-image and teaching kids how to value themselves. Here are some strategies teachers can use to help pre-K kids build healthy self-esteem:

1. Praise Effort, Not Just Results:

Encourage children by praising their efforts and hard work rather than only focusing on outcomes. This helps them feel proud of their progress and effort, even if the task wasn’t completed perfectly.
Example: “Wow, you worked really hard to finish that puzzle! I’m so proud of how you kept going!” This reinforces the idea that trying and persevering are valuable.

2. Focus on Strengths and Positive Traits:

Highlight each child’s strengths and positive qualities. Point out what makes them unique and special, whether it’s being kind, a good listener, or a great friend.
Example: “You’re such a good helper! I see how you always make sure your friends have what they need.”

3. Provide Opportunities for Success:

Offer tasks that children can successfully complete, even if they are small tasks. Feeling successful helps boost their confidence.
Example: Assign simple jobs, like helping to set up the art supplies or putting toys away, so they can experience the satisfaction of contributing to the group.

4. Encourage Independence:

Give children chances to make decisions and try things on their own. This can be as simple as letting them choose their activity or encourage them to put on their coat by themselves. Independence fosters a sense of self-worth.
Example: “You can pick your favorite color for your drawing today. I know you’ll make it look amazing!”

5. Model Positive Self-Talk:

Show kids how to speak kindly to themselves. Teachers can model positive self-talk by saying things like, “I made a mistake, but that’s okay, I’ll try again!” This teaches children how to handle challenges with a positive mindset.
Example: If a teacher drops something, they might say, “Oops! I made a mistake, but it’s okay. I’ll clean it up and keep going.”

6. Encourage Problem-Solving:

Allow children to work through challenges on their own, with guidance. When they solve a problem or overcome an obstacle, it boosts their confidence.
Example: If a child is having trouble building a tower with blocks, instead of doing it for them, ask, “What do you think we can try to make the blocks stay up?” This empowers them to find solutions.

7. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment:

Make sure the classroom is a place where every child feels safe, accepted, and valued. A supportive environment helps children feel secure and more confident in trying new things.
Example: Have a classroom where kindness is celebrated, and everyone’s ideas are respected.

8. Foster Positive Friendships:

Encourage children to play and work together. Friendships help children feel accepted and supported. Teachers can also help mediate conflicts and encourage empathy and kindness between peers.
Example: “I love how you helped your friend with their blocks! Being a good friend makes us all feel happy.”

9. Allow for Mistakes and Encourage Growth:

Teach children that mistakes are part of learning and growing. Reassure them that it’s okay to not be perfect and that they can always try again.
Example: “It’s okay if you didn’t finish your drawing today. Tomorrow, you can add more to it, and it will be even better!”

10. Set Realistic Expectations:

Make sure the activities and tasks are age-appropriate and achievable for the children. Unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration, which can negatively impact self-esteem.
Example: Giving a 4-year-old a simple task, like stacking a few blocks, is more appropriate than asking them to complete a complex puzzle.

11. Celebrate Individuality:

Help children understand that everyone is unique and has different qualities and talents. Celebrate their individuality and teach them to appreciate what makes them special.
Example: “You’re such a great artist! I love how you use bright colors in your pictures. Every one of us can do something special in our own way.”

12. Model Compassion and Empathy:

Teach children to treat themselves and others with kindness. When they see adults and peers practicing empathy, they are more likely to value themselves and others.
Example: “It’s important to be kind to ourselves and others, just like how we help our friends when they feel sad.”

By incorporating these strategies, teachers can help pre-K children build a solid foundation of healthy self-esteem. When children feel confident, supported, and valued, they are more likely to try new things, handle challenges with resilience, and develop a positive outlook on themselves and the world around them.