Re: Carol M.....re kindergarten/teachers

February 10, 2002

In a message dated 2/10/02 9:14:04 AM Eastern Standard Time,

kcholt11@... writes:

> We prayed all summer for God to provide for my son and to direct us in the

> right decision and they hired a new teacher, warm and caring as well as

> redu cing the class size....these two factors and his older age have helped

> him have a wonderful and successful and positive year so far in

> kindergarten.

Reading Carol's post reminded me of another suggestion i had for you. We

selected my daughter Madison's teacher for Kindregarten. Actually 4/5

children have had this wonderful warm teacher. She knew Madison literally

from the day she was born because my older son had her that year. She was

quiet,patient, and so loving. Every child needs different things but Madie

needed someone very gentle and patient because if she doesnt like you she

will not say a word....she is still like that at age 7, but not quite so

severe. Where I teach we have 8 different Kindergarten teachers, and believe

me they all have totally different styles. I gauge a lot of things for my own

students based on my " mommy " experiences. I have spent time observing each

teacher to see their style, and daily routine....some do more center-based

learning others have desks and very few toys. I have an idea where each of my

students would like to be. I also suggest this to my parents....go and visit

the classrooms....but if they (the parent) have no preference I can hand pick

which room/teacher they can have next year.

Another thing that bothers me now about Madison's Kindergarten experience

thinking back is she only had half day Kindergarten...that's what we have

here...well she spent a lot of time in outside therapy....the tutor every day

& speech therapy. If I had it to do over again I would have set up

Kindergarten classroom only in the AM and then bring her back in the

afternoon for the therapy. She missed a lot of classroom time (some days a

whole hour), and sometimes would not want to leave because her classmates

were doing something fun. I can remember her being sad/mad different times

when she came home because she missed something which to her seemed like more

fun. Maybe you could consider that too.

Hope that helps...

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