Back-to-School: The 7th Circle of Pre-K Teacher Chaos

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I truly enjoyed teaching pre-k. Throughout my career, I taught various grade levels, but pre-k was always my top pick. There were moments when, after pretending to be a frog catching flies during storytime or witnessing a child write their name for the first time, I’d think, “How am I getting paid to enjoy this?” But the start of the school year? That’s a whole different ballgame.

For the first six weeks of pre-k, being a teacher feels like a wild ride through chaos. Each year, I’d drag myself home after another exhausting day, questioning why on Earth I chose to work with 4-year-olds. I could hardly recall the joys of the school year ahead, and I was convinced my principal had handed me a class full of miniature tornadoes just to torture me.

“What’s the fuss?” you might ask. “Isn’t it just Play-Doh and fun?” Oh, sweet, naive friend. Let me break it down for you:

1. Your Students Are 48 Months Old.
   Sure, they’re technically 4 years old, but trust me, they feel much younger. These kiddos are still figuring out how to share and not to urinate on each other, and it takes a lot of practice.
2. It’s Likely Their First Time Away from Home.
   They may have spent a few hours with Grandma, but this is usually their first extended absence from home. After just meeting you and their 20 classmates, they’re understandably a bit on edge, especially when their parent won’t stop snapping photos and just leave.
3. Fight or Flight Is Their Go-To Strategy.
   During those first few weeks, I wore sneakers daily to chase what we affectionately dubbed “the runners.” Sometimes you’d see a child about to make a break for it, but often it happened out of nowhere—right in the middle of a story, you’d catch a glimpse of a kid bolting from the room. I often feared one of them would actually make it out and I’d end up on the news as the teacher who didn’t notice a student hitching a ride on a city bus.
4. They Don’t Know How to Do Anything.
   Seriously, they’re 48 months old and new to school. You’d think they’d grasp how to walk in a line or even make one. Not a chance! They struggle with buttons and glue bottles.
5. You Have to Teach Them Everything.
   I’m convinced my gray hairs sprouted from the countless hours spent teaching 25 pre-k kids how to form a line. You might try fun tricks or props, but somehow that line always ends up looking like a twisted piece of taffy—especially during dismissal when everyone is watching.
6. Their Attention Span Is Nonexistent.
   In teacher training, they tell you 48-month-olds have an attention span of about 8 minutes. Now multiply that by a 6-hour school day and you’ll understand the endless planning that goes into activities. If a real gnat buzzes in during class, well, good luck getting their focus back!
7. They’re Everywhere.
   Just when you think you’ve rounded them all up after recess, another little one pops up like a game of whack-a-mole. In many states, there are no limits on pre-k class sizes, so they really pack them in. Because, of course, one teacher should totally manage 25 4-year-olds—makes perfect sense, right?
8. They Spread Everything Like Wildfire.
   And I mean everything—germs, emotions, and more. If one kid starts crying, it’s a chain reaction. If someone gets sick, it’s like the Titanic going down. Nothing scares a teacher more than a kid belting out “Let It Go” in the middle of circle time.
9. They Have Enough Energy to Fuel Texas for a Year.
   You probably know this from your own little ones, who seem to drain your energy daily. Now imagine a whole class full of that!

Thankfully, by around November, things start to calm down. It’s like an early Christmas miracle as your little charges find their rhythm, and that’s when the real fun begins. But until then, you’re dancing on the edge of insanity.

Now you know! If you have a little one just starting school, you might want to head to the liquor store for a little something special for their teacher.

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Summary

The beginning of the school year for pre-k teachers can feel like chaos, with young children still learning to navigate their new environment. From their limited attention spans to their boundless energy, the first weeks can be overwhelming. However, by November, things typically begin to settle down, allowing for a more enjoyable experience for both teachers and students.