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Home › Articles › Preparing for Kindergarten › Kindergarten Ready

Kindergarten Ready

Secrets of Preschool Teachers of the Year

By Laura Cone

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She says your child should not just be able to recite the A-B-C song, but recognize the letters represented by sounds. Also, some parents today are letting their child type on the computer, which is excellent, but should not take the place of writing letters by hand, Butler-Boyesen says. "There are a lot of little boys who feel they are allergic to paper and pencil," she says. "Have pencils, have crayons, markers available and encourage them to use them and create with them so they enjoy using them."

Parents as First Teachers
Dunckelman, who has two almost grown sons, says much of what she learned about being a teacher started when she became a mother. "I think, first of all, we have to realize parents are the primary educators of our children," she says. "It's more important to be a good parent. Who is a primary role model of a child? It is the parent. If I want reading to be important to my child, I bring literature into my home. I read with my child and show him or her the importance of reading."

Dunckelman says parents should also teach their children about the importance of community service. Her students visit nursing homes.

As your child's first teacher, let him or her know it's alright to make mistakes. Be non-judgmental. "I think sometimes we have a misconception that if a person enters kindergarten and knows all the letters of the alphabet and they can count up to 100 [then] automatically they are going to be a good student," Dunckelman says. "That's inaccurate. I believe a person has to feel security within themselves and their environment. I need to teach my child you are important. Mistakes are acceptable. If I enter school thinking I can never make a mistake, I will have a child who will be unable to take a risk and challenge himself or herself."

Finally, she recommends parents keep photographs and school papers and drawings to show their children when they become older.

Dunckelman is often invited to her former studets' weddings or is asked to serve as a godparent. "I always tell people I never forget that face or the impact the child has had," she says. "I always remember to bring something I kept of that child. I keep little notes on my own children and students."

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