Sunday, March 17, 2013

Called to Teach

I love children, I love working with children, and I really love teaching children!  Being a preschool teacher has to be the best job in the world!  There is no other job where you get told 4 or 5 times a day how beautiful you are or how cool your dance moves are.  This week was a hectic week at the preschool, there was hitting, chasing, tears, and tantrums but in between the moments of crazy I got compliments and hugs and a good feeling knowing that I was making a difference, that I was having an impact for good on the lives of these precious children of God. 

I get to work with children on Sundays as well as one of the nursery coordinators (Our nursery is so big that we have to have three of us out in the hall making sure everything is running smoothly in all the different classes.) This week I was asked to teach the nursery teachers at our teacher development meeting, preparing for this helped me to slow down and remember how special each child is and what I can be doing as a teacher to help each child learn and grow.  Now I know that I can't use all the same principles in my public school preschool that I would have the nursery teachers use but I do believe that they all still apply.  This is a handout I prepared for the workshop, I feel that most of the principles are applicable for all teachers, parents, and anyone who is working with children in anyway.



“Encircle them with Love and the Fire of Faith
“Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are.” (M. Russell Ballard, Great Shall Be the Peace of thy Children, Ensign, April. 1994, 60)

You have not been called to babysit for 2 hours at church each week you have been called as teachers.  The difference between it feeling like babysitting and it feeling like teaching is up to you.  You are in charge of making this calling a spiritually uplifting experience for yourselves and for each child in your class, here are some ways to do that.
1.       Come Prepared- Prayerfully read through the lesson before you come, think of songs and activities that you could use to help reemphasize the message.  If you aren’t prepared with a lesson the children will know and most likely the lesson won’t happen.

2.      Pray in class- Don’t forget to have an opening and closing prayer!  This will invite the spirit into your class and help the children learn the importance of prayer.


3.      Observe the children- find what is important to them and what they respond to so that you can meet them at their level.
“What we learn about specific children helps us teach and care for each child as an individual. By continually observing children’s play and interaction with the physical environment and others, we learn about each child’s interests, abilities, and developmental progress” (naeyc.org)

4.      Play with them- The toy room is not a time for the kids all to go wild and for you to take a break. Get down on the floor with them and talk to them while they play.  See what they are doing and join in and find ways to emphasize the lesson while you are talking with them.  Take a little time with each child if possible. 

5.      Greet them when they first come in- Each child needs to feel welcome, safe, and loved when they come to nursery, the best way to accomplish this is to greet them cheerfully by name as they come into the classroom letting them know how excited you are to have them there.


6.      Call the children by their names- it’s simple but your children will feel more loved and welcome if you do. They are all special and unique, help them feel like they are more than just another nursery kid.


7.      Pray for the children in your class by name- pray for guidance on how to meet their needs, pray for patience and understanding because there will be weeks where you will need a lot of it! Pray to know how to teach each child and bring them closer to their Savior. 

With my own children, I prayed for revelation to know how I could help each of them individually prepare for specific opportunities to serve God…..God knows our gifts. My challenge to you and to me is to pray to know the gifts we have been given, to know how to develop them, and to recognize the opportunities to serve others that God provides us. But most of all, I pray that you will be inspired to help others discover their special gifts from God to serve. I promise you that if you ask, you will be blessed to help and lift others to their full potential in the service of those they lead and love.” (Henry B. Eyring, October 2012, Help Them Aim High)

8.      Give them comfort- when a child is upset go to them and comfort them, don’t be afraid to give them hugs or hold them if needed. 

9.      Be excited about what you are doing- have enthusiasm when you teach the lessons and sing the songs, make them feel excited to learn about the gospel.  They will be excited if you are.


10.   Set rules and talk about them with your children- Let them know that you are in charge and there are times that they need to be quite.  “Toddlers (16 to 36 months) are working on their identity; they want to know who they are and who’s in charge.” (naeyc.org)

11.    Recognize their potential- Each child in your class has the potential to be something great, help them feel of their importance when they come to your class.

… I prayed to know what contributions my children might make in the Lord’s kingdom. For the boys, I knew they could have priesthood opportunities. For the girls, I knew they would give service representing the Lord. All would be doing His work. I knew each was an individual, and therefore the Lord would have given them specific gifts for each to use in His service.” (Henry B. Eyring, October 2012, Help Them Aim High) 

12.   Let us know what you need- We are here to help!  I know it looks like we just sit out in the hall chatting and eating snacks but we are out there to help you in any way that you need, please don’t be afraid to ask!  We love you and appreciate everything that you do, this is not an easy calling but you’ve been called for a reason.  These children need you and the spirit that you can bring into their lives.