Who put the groceries away?

At the children's center we are always looking for ways the kids can develop independence, build a sense of responsibility, use teamwork, and to take care of our community. When a big snack delivery was dropped off on Tuesday, it was the perfect opportunity for the children to help out. Kohavim and Haifa Lunch Bunch helped by carrying all the grocery bags and then unloading each bag. They then passed the many boxes of crackers, cereal, and other delicious snacks to Ellen who put each box away in our snack storage cabinet. Giving children age appropriate jobs or "chores", such as helping put away groceries, is the perfect way to develop some of these skills. You might want to ask your child to help carry and put away the groceries at home or help take care of your home in other ways, such as setting the table for dinner or helping to load the dishwasher. 

Clean-Up Job Board

Community members all pitch in to support the community. There are many jobs to do and each member is needed to make sure everything gets done to support the group. We feel it is important for the children to take ownership of the classroom with class jobs for everyone.

I am sure all preschool teachers would agree that cleaning up after center time can be one of the most challenging transitions of the day. "I didn't take that out," "I already put some blocks away. Alex needs to do the other blocks," "I never played there."

Today we introduced the children to our "Clean-up Job Board." We showed the children pictures and explained each job to them. During free play Dylan offered to help me distribute/hang the jobs on a clothespin located below each child's picture, at eye level under the big chalk board in the Tel Aviv classroom. Before it was time to clean up we called the children over to take a good look at their job for the week. We asked the children to place the photo of their specific job around their neck (like a necklace) and to please go clean up their assigned area. On Monday mornings we will assign everyone a new classroom job for the whole week.

The children embraced the whole concept and really liked wearing their job "necklace" all around the classroom. Learning where things belong and how to clean is an on going process that takes time. When you get a chance come into our classroom and check out our Clean-Up Board.

Librarian Sam

It was Sam's turn to be the librarian.  As classmates finished their books, Sam took them one by one and returned them to the shelf, gently arranging them. In the early childhood years we focus so much on independence that we sometimes forget about interdependence.  Success in school and in life requires that children learn to develop community skills, as well as build the skill and confidence to complete independent tasks.  One component of this skill development is to take on responsibilities in the classroom, both those we enjoy and those we may not enjoy, just as we do as adults.  In this case Sam was not only confident in his role, but completed it with eagerness and enthusiasm.