National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day

The third Friday of March every year is National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day. It is a good chance to honor preschool teachers.

History of National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day

National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day is a wonderful opportunity to honor preschool teachers who spend their days nurturing and sparking creativity in young children. The role of preschool teachers is especially important because they teach children who are going through the most formative and critical learning phase. High-quality preschool teachers can also play a big role in helping to level the playing field between disadvantaged students and other students. Today's holiday takes place during Early Childhood Education Month.

Preschool teachers are teachers of students among the ages of 3 and 5. In general, children need at least a high school diploma as well as a certificate in early childhood education to become a teacher, but often additional lessons are required. Teachers at Head Start must have at least a college degree. In public schools, a bachelor's degree and a certificate in early childhood education or a related field are required. Preschools can be half-day or full-day, and there is much debate about the best teaching methods. For example, some believe that preschool classrooms should be more formal and content-based, while others argue that they should be more about discovery and child-directed play.

The beginning of a typical day of preschool teacher is to greet students and parents to familiarize students with the classroom for the day. Story telling time is always a part of every preschool teacher's tasks. During story time, students can learn both language and vocabulary skills, as well as proper classroom etiquette. Teachers guide students as they work on projects together or play. When students have disagreements, the teacher creates conditions for students to discuss. Naps are often part of the day and teachers may need to help students who are having a hard time resting. After students leave for the day, the preschool teacher can plan activities for the next day. These are just a few of the many roles preschool teachers take on throughout the day. Students require a lot of care and attention, and a classroom is created where many skills can be explored.

Goals about skills preschoolers should learn can be both broad and specific. Some of the broad skills that students should acquire throughout kindergarten include developing motor skills and social skills, and learning about the environment, how to communicate and express themselves, how to share and follow rules, basic knowledge of hygiene and cultural values. Learning first and last name, address, phone number, parent or guardian name, and week and month names are all specific skills preschoolers should learn. In addition, the children can learn some basic knowledge of writing such as what the letters of the alphabet are, how to find traces and how to write their names. They can learn basic math skills like shapes, counting, and how to trace numbers. Acquired science skills often include learning the names of certain animals and the seasons of the year. The social studies knowledge gained may include learning the names of the places they frequent as well as the names of common jobs in the community. Preschool students can also engage in arts and crafts, where they learn colors, how to use their imaginations with projects, how to paint and draw, and some musical instruments and what it looks like.

Preschool was started in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Europe. In the United States, most preschools have tuition fees, but public funding has increased in recent decades, and many advocates for the universal preschool program, which has funds for all, just like elementary schools. Some states have implemented universal preschool education.

Founded in 1965, Head Start was the first publicly available preschool in the United States and was established to assist low-income children in enrolling. At that time, only 10% of children of preschool age attended. By the 1980s, preschools supported for low-income families. By the mid-2000s, nearly 70% of 4-year-olds were attending preschool. This increase can be attributed to higher maternal employment rates, national anti-poverty initiatives, and the prevalence of research on early childhood brain development. Behind every preschool classroom and helping each preschool student is a preschool teacher. We honor them today for their commitment to the spiritual growth and success of young children.

How to celebrate National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day

Do you have children or grandchildren in preschool? Today is a great day to let their teachers know that you appreciate all that they do for them. Perhaps you could even ask your child or grandchild to do something for their teacher, or have them bring a gift to their school to give to their teacher. Do you remember your preschool teacher? Why not contact them and thank them for helping to make you the person you are today? Have you ever thought about becoming a preschool teacher? Today is the perfect day to see what certifications are required in your state and to begin your journey to becoming one of them!