Teaching Tips

Here are a few tips for Preschool teachers that I have gathered from various sources. Feel free to add your own by leaving a comment.

• When directing behavior, always keep the expectations successful for each child. i.e. Some kids can wait successfully for 5 minutes while others can wait only one minute.
• Positive reinforcement is the key to behavior guidance as well as prevention.
• Think about what you could change in your environment, routine or even yourself before thinking about changing a child.
• Have fun yourself. If they see you having true fun they will too.
• Support your fellow teachers. Give each other a boost once in a while.

Tips for painting and Art projects

• With young children it is the process, and not the product that counts.
• Art is a time for exploration for young children. Do not be surprised if that cutting project you begin ends up with lots of little snips of paper (Remember it's the process, not the product!).
• Take small plastic sandwich bags and paint containers with lids. To make clean up easier, put a small plastic sandwich bag inside the paint container. Make sure the top of the bag hangs over the edge of the container. Snap the lid on to secure the plastic bag. Just pull out the plastic bag and throw away -- no need to wash the dried up paint out of the container.

Be Positive!

“No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.” Eph 4:29 (HCSB)

Did you know that you always have an audience? Someone is always listening to you. Even if that someone is God, you are never alone. Why is this important to remember? The way you talk and the things that you say influence those around you. If I only have negative things to say then I will rightly be labeled a negative person. If on the other hand my words are positive and full of affirmation and hope then I will be seen in a different light.

I am actively searching for more leaders to come and serve in the Preschool area. This can be a challenge because of misconceptions about things experienced on the hall. Preschool can be a challenging place to work and some days are filled with rowdy children and crying babies. But I hope for you the joys far outweigh the challenges, and that you will allow those joyous times to become a part of your language when talking to others about serving in the Preschool area. If we are excited about our ministry others will be too.

I am not asking you to be phony. I hope that you genuinely enjoy serving with us in Tiny Cliff Towne, I think that you do. But remember that one complaint about a bad experience registers more than 10 good reports to those considering serving alongside you.

Even beyond preschool, we should be a refreshing presence to those around us. We are Christ followers, and yes from time to time we face hardships and trials that challenge us and sometimes we have downright crappy days. But we have a hope that comes from God that no one can take away. Remember these words found in the book of Hebrews:

“Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope—like a sure and firm anchor of the soul—that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Heb 6:17-19

Welcome Leaders

Hello everyone, and welcome to Southcliff's newest resource for Preschool leaders. My desire is to provide useful resources to you the leader, so that you can be more effective in your calling to the preschool ministry. In the near future I will be posting leadership articles, devotions, and lesson helps. Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and helps that you have learned from your time teaching and loving your students. Together we will make Tiny Cliff Towne a phenomenal preschool ministry that glorifies God and creates a buzz in the Baptist world.