Lessons Learned From My Son's Preschool Teachers

Every classroom and school philosophy is different, but I have grown to really appreciate the way that ours operates. When you drop your kids off in the morning, they have the option of several different stations throughout the small room. There's an easel with open jars of paint, a table with homemade play dough, an "imaginative play" area with baby dolls, a play kitchen, a little library, building toys, etc. The children (all 2ish) enter the room with immediate purpose and calm knowing just where they want to go and what to do.

I've attempted to transfer this line of thinking to our home, instead of suggesting (and probably overwhelming him with) myriad activities the second we walk into the door.

I was overcome with both pride and nostalgia on the first chilly Fall day that I watched my son do this, as it was how my own preschool teachers taught me how to put on a coat.

For those who aren't familiar, the child lays the coat on the ground in front of them (zipper side facing up, with the hood/head area closest to their feet). They then put their arms into the arm holes, and flip it over their backs. Voilà, ready to go!

Needs no explanation, right!?

In my experience, the way that a teacher punishes or corrects a preschool-aged child is much different than the way a parent handles bad behavior. It's no surprise that no parent enjoys yelling, but now that I've seen firsthand just how effective a soft-spoken "Please stop doing that right now" can be, it's time to put it into practice. (We'll see if it's as impactful coming from Mom . . . )

If you're in need of playroom-organization inspiration, step away from The Container Store and into your kid's preschool classroom. These people know how to make sense of a room full of toys, crafts, and other supplies, and they aren't spending a small fortune doing it.

My son's school day ends at 11:30 a.m., but if I arrive to pick him up as early as 11:20 a.m., he and all of his classmates are already sitting at desks with their jackets and backpacks on.

At first this stressed me out, made me feel like I was always running late, and had me wondering why the teachers were in such a rush to get rid of the kids. But the fact is, two adults getting eight 2-year-olds geared up and ready to go takes a while (especially in the dead of Winter in NY). If they start early enough, the inevitable missing mitten or stuck zipper won't send everyone into a tailspin.

Even if you've only got one kid to get out the door, the same logic applies.