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Expert Q&A
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| By Harriet S. Worobey, M.A. Early Childhood Educator Director, the Nutritional Sciences Preschool | ||
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My 4 1/2-year-old daughter talks excessively, and it is causing her to get in trouble at her preschool. At this point, I'm not sure how to handle the situation. I don't want to discourage her from asking questions, but I don't want her to interrupt the teacher's lessons. Help!"
This is quite a common problem. I almost always have one or two children – usually girls – like that in my 4-year-old class. Here's the positive news: You have a very bright, verbal, curious child. The not-so-positive news: Some teachers (not me) are turned off by constant interruptions. Of course, there needs to be a compromise.
You want your child to be polite (not to mention well-liked by the teacher), but you don't want her natural enthusiasm and curiosity stifled. It's probably best to work out a plan with the teacher, so that he or she knows that you respect the needs of the class, and he or she knows that you want your child's needs respected too.
I'm not really big on hand raising in the preschool years – children have the whole rest of their years of education to raise their hands. But sometimes it works well with children who have a greater need to talk – they can learn to wait until they are called on. Another technique, however, is a special talking "item" – a stuffed animal or special toy – that when someone is holding it, everyone else has to listen. The teacher can pass it to various children during circle time. Your child can probably learn to wait until she is holding the special item. The teacher just needs to ensure that she does get plenty of opportunities each day to share her ideas, feelings and stories.
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