A Child's Arrival

Entering the public school system is a big step for young children and new families. It involves leaving the safety of home and familiar adults to create new friendships with peers and explore a much larger world than they previously knew. Fortunately, a thoughtful teacher who respects this difficult transition can help by creating an organized and well-defined first school experience. According to chapter three of Bickart, Jablon, and Dodge’s “Building the Primary Classroom”, a clearly structured environment, as well as a predictable daily routine, can create security and safety for new students. I have personally experienced the importance of regular daily schedule, seeing first hand in my practicum and volunteer placements how any divergence from the routine can cause chaos.

Another important piece of a structured classroom is known rules that are always followed and rarely, if ever, change. However, for rules to be effective in early childhood environments, it helps if children can be directly involved in the rule making process. From this participation, students can take valid ownership of their schooling, which leads to respect for others. I tried to make a list of rules with my camp group this summer, and partially succeeded. However, with an ice rink full of other camp groups and my vocal limits, I quickly lost their attention. I wonder how teachers maintain control early in the year, before rules are established.

Once rules and procedures are created as a group, guided discoveries help with reviewing the concept and physically walking students through the right and wrong actions. Morning meetings and circle times are excellent for this.

While structure, both physical and conceptual, is essential in any classroom, it is important for teachers to remember that structured environments need not revolve around power. If structure is implemented smoothly into a childcare setting, both teachers and students should feel equally powerful and all should have the ability to address issues or problems.