Remember Your Ps.

When I was growing up, children were often reminded to remember their Ps and Qs. It was a way to remind children to remember their manners and say please and thank you. As teachers, we need to remember our Ps. To get off on a good foot, remember to be present, positive and predictable.
Be Present. Be there when the children are; from the moment they walk in the door until they go home. It is so easy to become distracted by phone calls, visitors, and other distractions, but to be successful with the children, you need to be there for them. Even the best teachers and child care professionals can’t be everywhere at once and will miss some things now and then, but do your best to keep out extraneous distractions
Be Positive. We all know what a difference it is to be with someone who is positive throughout the day. It is even more important for children. Role model a positive, can do attitude so children will have a positive outlook and better self-esteem.
Be Predictable. Children will learn to trust when teachers are predictable in routines, guidance, and in what they say. Of course, there is lots of room for innovative ideas, teachable moments, and a change of pace, but when the school year is starting out children need predictability. They need it most at stressful and hectic times. They need to know the day’s routine, when it will be time to go home, where to find what they need, and what will happen if they demonstrate mistaken behavior. Once children know what to expect, they will be better able to handle the changes that must come.

Have a great school year!!