This picture was taken in the year 2018. A Kindergarten teacher is a person who is employed to care for children from infant to 4 years old. “Preschool“ is the category for children aged 2 to 4 years of age. While for Infants is from 0-1 year old. They are responsible for integrating young children into the world. Other than that, teaching them social skills, personal hygiene, basic reading skills, art, and music too. To be a kindergarten teacher is an awesome choice. Thus, those who have some characteristics as a kindergarten teacher deserved to be in this field. Here are the characteristics:
Passionate
Not all people have a passion, especially in early childhood education. Therefore, the element of passion is the main factor in this career option. Not like other professions, early childhood is crucial when it comes to childhood development job. Why? It is because teaching kids can be frustrating, especially when kids become difficult and defiant.
Qualification
IIUM Educare teachers received their in-house training in “Standard National Pre-school Curriculum” and certified by the Ministry of Education. Qualification and experience in early childhood education among kindergarten teachers are important. It is because knowledge is useful to overcome any unexpected things that happen when we deal with young kids. As an example, teaching skills ability, methodology enhancement, CPR, and first aids skill too. Other than that, IIUM kindergarten teachers also have at least a Diploma in Early childhood Education, a Bachelor degree, and some Master degree holders.
Flexibility
An effective kindergarten teacher has to be flexible. Sometimes, when the teacher already prepared things to change because of any circumstances that will happen. Besides that, the problem could be the school system, such as a faulty printer. Furthermore, teachers should be flexible enough to use the available materials. For instance, If the plan was to have an outdoor class, but there is rain, then the teacher should have a backup plan. This is what flexible meant.
Patience in kindergarten teacher
We must be patient and empathetic if we choose a Kindergarten teacher as a profession. Why? It is because of dealing with young kids. Moreover, most of them are trying to adjust to the new social order. Thus, It is actually can be very difficult to hand and sometimes will get easily distracted and also be disruptive especially during lessons.
So finally as good teachers we should be patient with everyone.
Compassion
Compassion is another element that a kindergarten teacher must possess. The reason is, A good teacher should take every situation with compassion to provide comfort to the children. As an example, we have to accept that most kids are very emotional. Thus, some of them have never been away from their home or from their parents too. As a result, they are traumatized by the experience of being left alone with unfamiliar people. Besides that, crying is very common in the early stages of the kindergarten year. So, before they can adjust to the new life, they will need someone who can be there for them when they need support.
Sense of Humor as a kindergarten teacher
A good kindergarten teacher is responsible to make children laugh. You can create a laugh or spontaneous laughs while teaching. It is the best way to help them engaged. Most of the kids like having fun. Besides that, a sense of humor also helps kids to create positive learning in school. Therefore, children will feel happy and comfortable going to school. In the end, it builds a good relationship between teachers and kids.
In a conclusion, the kindergarten teacher career is exciting. It gives satisfaction to the person when their student successful in the future. As John Dewey quote ” Education is not preparation for life”, education is life itself.
