Because you are reading this, I am going to guess that you are are a lot like me when it comes to getting ready for the first day of preschool or Pre-K.
You do NOT want to fail. In fact, you want everything to be perfect for the first day of preschool or Pre-K. But you worry that you might not be doing enough, have enough, planning enough, or have everything perfect enough.
I find that the earlier I start getting ready for preschool, the more compulsive I get about making everything perfect for the children when they walk in the door on that first day. It can be exhausting and if things don’t go perfectly, after all that work, it can be quite the let down.
Permission to fail
So for today’s post, I want to give you permission to fail but there is just one catch. Don’t worry, it’s a good catch that you can easily do and it doesn’t require any extra preparation or work.
What’s the catch?
I want to give you permission to fail AS LONG AS you go into your classroom that very first day, and every day after that, putting relationships between you and your students FIRST.
Put relationships at the core of every decision and you will not fail.
If you put genuine and healthy relationships between you and your students and between your students and each other at the core of every decision you make or word you say, right from the first day of school, then you will not fail.
You see, you can have the perfect art center, amazing toys, the very best books, and all other essentials that make up a perfect preschool classroom but student success and your success as a teacher will be a direct result of the time and effort you put towards nurturing a healthy relationship with each of your students and a sense of community.
Make your classroom feel perfect to your littles, not to you.
I know that this sounds too simple but after 30 years in the field of early childhood, being a parent, and a grandparent of four (plus one on the way) grandchildren, I am here to tell you..
When you put relationships first, everything you do, whether it is perfect or not, will feel perfect to your littles.
Hello!!! I am such an admirer of yours and appreciate all you do. I am extremely interested in purchasing the Discover Conference. I am also a follower of several of the speakers. I read their bios, but would love to know what specifically each are discussing. I can only imagine how busy you are… hope that is not too much trouble!
Thanks so much for any insight!!
Hi Mary! Here is the list: Amanda Morgan Setting Expectations for Play with Parents: Communicating with Parents to Create a Powerful Play Team from Day One Jamie White A Magical First Day! Strategies for planning a successful first day in preschool Jeana Kinne Let’s Talk About Me! Integrating Student Interests and Involvement in Your Back to School Lesson Plans Dan St. Romain Building Blocks of the Brain: Understanding Heathy Development and how it Impacts Children in the Classroom right from the very first day of school Sally Haughey Back to School: Bringing Magic and Wonder to the Start of School… Read more »
So well said of how to keep in mind when so many things come at you in a day. Always keeping that close to heart gives energy and stamina and breaks one out of a funk
Thank you
Very well said and I will attest to it!
Hello,
My name is Danae I am currently a student at Grand Canyon University majoring in Early Childhood Education. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your expertise in your blog. I truly appreciate the information that you have shared in your blog.
Thank You
As a member of the hive , I have never been disappointed in any programs either by Deborah or the wonderful teachers in the conferences! I have learned so much from being a part of all this I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!!
Looking forward to this conference. I will be on vacation but will be catching up later.