Advice for Future ECE Preschool Practicum Students

These past 8 weeks in the preschools have been an unbelievable roller coaster of emotions and events. My adventure was not typical for this practicum experience. I began in a Head Start setting. Halfway through the experience I was abruptly moved to a private religious preschool setting. Although I had a rough start to my practicum, I ended in a wonderful setting that truly respected children. 

My roller coaster of preschool practicum.

What would I advise an ECE student to do during their practicum?

1. OBSERVE OBSERVE OBSERVE

The first few days in each classroom I observed the entire day. I observed the role of the children, teachers, and other staff in the building. I wanted to get a feel for what the children were allowed to do in the setting and how to adults communicate and interact with the children. These two things tell you a lot about the experience you are going to have. This is not to say that you should sit in a corner and do nothing. Introduce yourself to the teachers, staff, and children. Arrive early so that you can explain to the teachers that you would like to observe for the day. Of course you can help with tasks and interact with the children! It is just helpful to sit or walk around and watch the day unfold. I found that it is particularly effective to sit with children as they engage in play, art, and reading. It gives you time to check in on each child and begin to build relationships.

2. RECORD

Taking notes on what is happening in the classroom is a great way to gather information for your blog, Day in the Life Project, and for self-reflection. I found it helpful to note what centers and invitations were available for the day (especially if these changed frequently), the activities and books used at circle time, songs the teachers and children sung, helpful phrases you notice from the teachers (Ex. Instead of telling a child what something is when they ask, pose the question “What do you think it is?”), and begin practicing documentation by recording what certain children play with and do with certain objects. If your center allows it, take pictures, videos, and audio recordings. These will help you practice authentic documentation, remember how your teachers set up certain invitations, and will help you in transitioning out of the preschool by having reminders of the children you served.

3. JUMP IN!

This is your only preschool practicum experience in the program, so make the most of it! This is your time to try new things, make mistakes, and practice the art of teaching. Instead of asking your lead teachers, “What can I do?,” ask, “What should I be doing right now?” This shows your teachers that you are eager to get your hands in the classroom. Go beyond the required assignments. Help clean, set up, lead small group activities, and teach circle time. Many teachers will be happy to help you do these things. If your teachers are apprehensive or not letting you get as hands-on as you would like, contact your practicum advisor for advice. They are there to help you navigate this experience. If possible, sit in with your teachers as they plan for the day/week/month. If your teachers or center offer chances for you to attend staff meetings, in-house conferences, or the IAEYC conference, attend! These are amazing professional development experiences that will help you learn more about being the early childhood professional you are becoming.

4. IT’S NOT FUN/GREAT/EXCITING/WONDERFUL ALL OF THE TIME

Just like every other part of life, preschool practicum is not this wonderful haven of joy every single day. While you will have fun and enjoy your experience, there are days that are harder.

You will get tired. You will question why you are there and what your place is in the classroom. There will be days you will dread coming in because you know that nap will be rough again or that a certain child in your class will cry all day long. Do not let these days bring you down. Teaching is hard work and hard work is exhausting. You will not be thrilled to get up at 6:30AM to drive 45 minutes away every single day. It is important to remember that this is just like any other aspect of life. There are good days and bad. You will make it through and it will be worth it in the end.  

5. ENJOY!

Enjoy all of the wonderful and challenging experiences you will have. Bond with your co-teachers and the children in your classroom. Learn all that you can and look for the positives in your experience.

Supporting Emergent Writers

Many parents have been requesting ways to encourage emergent writing at home. I can assure you that you are probably already using some of these strategies at home without even realizing it! Below are a few recommended strategies to further encourage emergent writing outside of the classroom.

Home Literacy

Having print and literacy available in your home will expose your child to print and meaningful uses of writing. This does not mean that your home needs to be overflowing with books! Grocery lists, calendars, post-it notes, magazines, and environmental print are just some of the literacy examples you may have in your home. Having your child assist you in filling in the calendar or writing the grocery list will give meaning to writing and inspire them to copy the type of writing you use in the home.

Providing Writing Materials

Providing your child with paper (even scraps) and writing materials will encourage her/him to write during free time and while engaged in play activities. You may notice that little scribbled signs may be displayed in your child's block zoo or that a restaurant menu is created.

Valuing Your Child's Emergent Writing Ability

As discussed before, every child is a writer. Recognizing that scribbles, random letters, and invented spelling are all forms of writing will help you better recognize the writing stage that your child is at. Encourage your child to continue writing by recognizing that she/he is a writer and asking what she/he has written.

Be confident in the fact that you are providing your child with the tools necessary to be a successful writer!

Further Resources:
 - Developing Writing and Spelling at Home (Pre-K)
 - Launching Young Writers
 - Helping Young Children to Develop Emergent Literacy Skills (children with visual impairments) 

Every Child Is a Writer!

Did you know that your child is a competent writer, even before they can create letters on a page? Children are able to write using scribbles, letters, invented spelling, and eventually conventional spellings of words! Below are examples of the stages your child may encounter and what they have learned to move through each stage.

 Scribbles

A child writing scribbles across a page, such as the ones depicted above, is knowledgeable about written language. This child has grasped the concept that things that are written have meaning. Usually children at this stage will read their writing to you. I love to note what a child says on a sticky note to add to the back of their writing project.

Random Letters

This child has added random letters to his scribble pattern. In this image you can see Z, A, L, and a tilted M. This child realizes not only that writing has meaning, but that letters are a part of writing.

Partial Alphabetic Writing

This child wrote "ODPS" to represent octopus. She uses letters to represent some sounds, which shows that this child is making the connection that letters represent sounds on a page. 

 

Full Alphabetic Writing

In this writing sample, Megan has begun to write her name. This invented spelling of her name contains more sound matching to letters in the alphabet than the writing sample for partial alphabetic writing. She is gaining a deeper understanding of phonics and writing.

 

Chunks of Spelling in Writing

This child is able to write conventionally spelled words. This child has had many experiences with writing, words, and phonics.

Many preschool children will experience the first two or three phases depending on their individual development. No matter what stage of writing your child is at, you should be proud! Your child is gaining a deeper understanding of language and writing each day. Continue to encourage your child to write at home by offering writing supplies and asking your child to read what they wrote to you.

Read-Alouds

What are read-alouds?

Read-alouds are when teachers choose to read a book out loud to the entire class. It is an engaging experience that involves connecting to the story, discussing the words and pictures in the book, and expressing opinions about the text. This typically occurs in our classroom during circle time or other large group activities.  I aim to share read-aloud books at least twice a day (usually three times!).

Why is this important for my child?

Read-alouds encourage a love of books and reading in young children! These experiences allow them to engage with text in new and exciting ways. Your child is also learning proper book handling, book language, new vocabulary, language structure, how to make inferences, and how reading a book should sound.

What does a great read-aloud look and sound like?

This educator models an excellent read-aloud and reviews the strategies she uses to engage children with the story. I use many of these strategies during our class time read-alouds as well. 

What should I do when reading at home?

Storytime can be a great bonding experience for both children and families. This not only instills a love of reading in your children, but it can also provide a sense of comfort and love. I would encourage you to read with your child every day. While reading, point out the author's and illustrator's names and have your child make predictions about what they think will happen next. Truly engage your child by rereading beloved stories. When do you make time in the day to read with your child? What are some of your favorite stories to read again and again?

Phonological Awareness

What is phonological awareness? 

Phonological Awareness is an awareness of hearing and recognizing sounds and structure in a language. It only requires the ears to hear, not the eyes to see. This involves understanding that words are made up of syllables, onsets and rimes [consonants before vowels and vowels that follow consonants in a word], and phonemes [the smallest unit of sound].

Why is this important for my child?

Learning to understand how a language sounds and functions orally will aid in the development of your child's reading skills. 

How does my child learn phonological awareness?

Children naturally love to play with language. They begin playing with language as infants and their play becomes more sophisticated over time. You may notice that your child likes to use tongue twisters [Jamie juggled juicy jelly beans.] or enjoys modifying familiar songs to include new rhymes that they learn. My classroom aids in the discovery of syllables, onsets and rimes, and phonemes by providing an environment filled with games, songs, and poetry that promote phonological awareness. We like to read The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry, Llama Llama Mad At Momma, To Market, To Market, and Hop On Pop. We also enjoy playing syllable clapping games and sound I Spy [I spy something you're eating that begins with the sound /ch/. Cheese!]. We also play with fingerplays:

5 Little Monkeys 

Down By The Bay

You and your child play with language at home too! What are some fun songs, poetry, rhyming books, and sound games that you and your child enjoy?  

Welcome!

            Welcome families! I am Miss Russell and I will be your child's preschool teacher this year. I am a graduate of Indiana University where I studied Early Childhood Education. I was fortunate to have a variety of experiences in different learning environments including student teaching on the Navajo Reservation in a Bureau of Indian Education school. My diverse experiences have prepared me to facilitate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all children.
            Preschool is a time of great discovery where children are navigating many new and challenging social/emotional, physical, and cognitive experiences. I believe in utilizing an emergent curriculum, where children's interests from home and school are incorporated into our centers and activities. Centers are dispersed around the room and are areas where children can explore topics of interest to them. Math, science, and literacy activities will be the focal-points of my classroom this year. All aspects of the curriculum are designed to prepare children for their future inside and outside the classroom environment.
            I look forward to seeing your children wonder and discover as we play and learn together this year!