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Sunday, June 7, 2015

To a Kindergarten Teacher From a Kindergarten Teacher

Two posts in one day??!! Yes, it can happen! Especially when I find out about another awesome linky party that I want to be a part of!!


This AWESOME link up is hosted by Mary from Sharing Kindergarten and is all about kindergarten teachers sharing advice with other kindergarten teachers! Mary has created these adorable templates to use during the linky. I decided to link up and learn from the wisdom of so many other kindergarten teachers! Here is my advice to you:


You never know what just happened at the home of the kiddos who are coming to you every day. They may never get the chance to hear a kind word. Make sure that you let each and every one of your kinders know how incredibly special they are and how much you believe in them! For some of them, your kind words may be the only ones they hear! Something as simple as 'What an adorable hair bow!' or 'I just LOVE that new hair cut!' can go a long, long way in a child's world!



Children, especially young children, are creatures of routine and habit. Set your expectations for class behavior and create your class rules the very first day. Make sure to review your rules and expectations every single day, and encourage them to show off what they know! Setting up your expectations in the beginning will make the rest of your year go oh-so-smoothly! Trust me, it will help you retain your sanity!


No matter what happened the day before, each day is a brand new beginning. Whatever happened the day before; student cuts their hair, student cuts their friend's hair, student feeds the fish pencil shavings, student teaches all the other little boys the latest wrestling move and they practice on the carpet....every day is a new day. Shake off whatever stress you went through and approach each new day with a positive attitude and a bright smile, ready to show your kinders some love!


You will always carry your job with you. Your day never ends just because the bell rings. You'll find yourself grading papers at home, writing narratives by the pool, responding to parent emails on the subway ride home, getting sparks of lesson ideas and activities when shopping at the Dollar Tree. You are a teacher and will always be a teacher, and you will spend much of your life outside of school thinking about your life inside of school. Remember to schedule some time for yourself where you don't have to do anything related to school. This will help you to stay sane and not burn out....though you will probably notice bits of your job will sneak in anyway!

I'm so glad that Mary from Sharing Kindergarten has set up this linky! It's a great way to learn from other kindergarten teachers and gain a few more bits of wisdom! Make sure you go to Sharing Kindergarten and read about all of the other advice that has been given! Just click on the image below to head over to the link up!



P.S. - Don't forget to come link up for Spotlight Saturday and showcase your favorite product or idea! There have been some AMAZING resources Spotlighted so far!

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for linking up. I never hold a past day against a student. Everyday is new! A punishment for a 5 year old should serve that one day then done. Hehe

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  2. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my post and taking the time to comment! So glad I was able to link up, thanks for hosting!

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  3. "Remember each day is a new day" - such great advice! The kids know when you are happy and energized. Having a fresh mindset each day is best for everyone! Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. You're so welcome! Some days can be so frustrating, it's just to best 'let it go' and start new! Thank you so much for reading my tips and taking the time to leave such sweet feedback! I really appreciate it!

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  4. I really liked giving each kid at least one compliment a day! What a way to make the kiddos feel special! You are SO right! You NEVER know what exactly is happening at home, and it is important that the kiddos feel loved and appreciated each day! GREAT tips!

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    1. Thank you! Kinders are such love bugs anyway, it breaks my heart when they come to school already sad. Sometimes just a smile and a kind word can totally turn a kinder around! :-) Thank you so much for stopping by to read my tips, and thank you for leaving such great feedback! It is much appreciated!!

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  5. Great tips, Erin! Remembering that every day is a new day is so important. We all have bad days (us and the kiddos!). It's so important to teach our littles that it's ok to have a tough day and come back the next day with a clean slate!
    Andrea
    Always Kindergarten

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my tips! I really appreciate you coming by and leaving feedback, it means a lot!

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  6. Erin - I love all of your tips! I love your tip of giving your students compliments. I think it is so important for our students to hear us saying/doing kind things because it really helps model for them how to interact with others!
    PS - It's so nice to "meet" another Maryland blogger!!!! I'm always excited to find Maryland bloggers because I'm not sure how many of us are out there!!

    Have a great rest of the week!
    ~Heather :)

    Recipe for Teaching

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    1. Thank you so much! Sometimes it can be hard to find a compliment to give but the kiddos really appreciate it when you do! And I totally agree that modeling how to be kind is the best way for them to learn. Social skills are so important!
      I'm thrilled to meet another MD blogger too!! You're my first!! I'm always so envious of the regional blogger meetups I read about. I've always wanted to go to one of them! We'll have to stay on the look out for a regional meet up near us!! Thank you so much for reading at laving such awesome feedback, I really appreciate it!

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  7. Hi Erin! Great tips! I love that when we teach we get to start each day fresh. Some days are definitely harder than others, but we get to walk in every morning with a fresh start. Kinder are so loving as well that they are so excited to begin each day. We have a wonderful job!
    Suzanne
    Kindergarten Planet

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  8. Truly this is great dear. I am glad that you shared this amazing post. Well, I have also been seeking suggestions for a domestic Phoenix preschool for my son. I want to enrol my son to a pre-k that teaches valuable things to the kiddos! Please share your suggestions friends!!

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