The difficult task facing parents and teachers is to nourish and channel children's natural curiosity and to provide the encouragement , information and stimulation that they require to continue growing.The teacher's role and the atmosphere which he or she creates in the classroom are critical factors in a child's education.We all remember our good teachers more than anything else in school.
The teacher is not the source of all the knowledge and order,nor does she put a premium on facts as such.She does not sit at a desk in the class, with the attention of all the pupils focussed upon her.She does not ask questions to test memory and elicit the one correct response.She does not expect all children to sit quietly at all times and listen to her words of wisdom.Her task is rather:
1) To establish an environment and encourage children to use it.
2) By her attitudes towards other people and towards work, to help the children develop similar constructive attitudes.
The teacher prepares a stimulating environment.
Things should be available for the children to investigate and work with their own.These should be carefully and consciously selected as discussed above , to stimulate development of concepts , widen horizons, encourage self -expression, strengthen muscles and coordination, encourage children to think to work on problems.
The teacher is responsible for making sure that the environment is not only stimulating but also orderly.
She has to check that the materials are put back correctly, that they are kept in good condition.She must therefore check all the materials daily,re-organizing and re-filling for the next day's use , and inform the school authorities well in advance when the fresh purchases are to be made.
The teacher establishes a routine .
As a framework within which freedom of choice and personal investigation can occur in an orderly way.She sets a few clear and simple procedure for work , rules which make it possible to live in a group happily and adheres to them strictly.
a) Children must complete a task and clear their place afterwards.
b)Children must handle materials so as not to break them.
c)Children must learn to wait for their turns.
d)Children are not to grab things or tease another child.
The teacher should set up a timetable for work, for each day and for the whole week, that is followed everyday.
The teacher paces the day and each activity according to children's needs.
She recognizes the need of small children for change of pace, so plans sitting activities followed by moving , noisy alternating with quiet, group with individual.She is sensitive to children's mood, so on a day when the class is restless she changes the activity.Her voice and movements conveys a feeling of enthusiasm, interest ans energy.She continues an activity long enough for the children to understand and becomes involved, but not so long that they become bored.
The teacher helps children to learn techniques for using materials and set limits for the sake of safety and cooperative behaviour but does not tell them what to do.Thus in painting she shows children how to dip the brush in colour, gently wipe off the excess colour on the side of the paint cup, apply paint to paper, then wash the brush in water before dipping t in another colour.
She explains that these are the ways of working so as not to waist paint nor have colours too dripping nor mix colours. However , if after being shown and understanding, some child chooses to have drippy colours to see what will happen when they mix on the paper, then the teacher need not interfere.She establishes and enforces the rule that painting is to be done on paper only, not on the floor or on hands or on anyone else.
She establishes and enforce the rule that one does not walk about with a wet brush or a cup of paints.Further than this she gives no directions.She only helps with basic techniques and let the child work on his own.
Certain activities require more technical skills than painting.Cutting with scissors means holding them properly with sufficient strength, cutting a straight line, cutting several thickness at once, cutting a pattern etc .These are skills progressively developed , over time.The teacher needs to give guidance at each stage.
The teacher encourages children to make their own choice, thus showing respect of their opinions and interests, helping them to build confidence.
In Individual Activities : She makes few activities available or asks them once they know the class routine, lets each child choose what he or she wants to do within the limits of the amount of each type of materials, encourages free handling and experimentation.When there is not enough to satisfy all, the teacher must encourage children to find something else to do while waiting their turns.
In Group Activities: Children can choose the story they wan to hear , the songs they want to sing or listen-perhaps not everyday , but often enough so that they feel their desires are respected.
The teacher encourages children to talk.
She must encourage children to talk about their work and experiences.Their verbal abilities at this age are generally not highly developed.Most children's vocabularies are small. They show their interests and feelings through actions rather than through words.
By encouraging children's own verbal expression, the teacher shows respect for their thinking and ideas.
The teacher must have a sound background of general knowledge and be interested in learning more.
Her own enthusiasm and curiosity set an example for the children.She must be willing to say, " I don't know" let's find out.How can we find out? "etc.. She must be aware of sources of information upon which she can draw materials, books, people in the school and community.
Finally the teacher's own attitudes towards other people, towards work , and towards learning are crucial.Children are extraordinarily sensitive and pick up the slightest shades of meaning in adult behaviour.
If the teacher says," Put all the materials away neatly",but leaves her notebook on a chair or table after class, the children are likely to leave things behind.The same will be the case if she says," All of you must help to put scrap papers in the bin" , but she herself stands by and watches. Her words will have far greater effectiveness if she herself takes a share in the work.
if she expects children to respect others, she must do the same , and never make fun of a child or make mean comments about a staff.
If she expects children to be curious , open minded, willing t try and find out, then these must be her own attitudes towards learning and life.
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