Back to School: The Chaotic Adventure of Pre-K Teaching

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I absolutely adored teaching pre-k. Throughout my career, I explored various grade levels, but nothing compared to the joy of working with little ones. There were moments—like when I pretended to be a frog during storytime or watched a child write their name for the first time—when I’d think, “How am I getting paid to have this much fun!?” But the start of the school year? That’s a different story entirely.

The first six weeks of pre-k can feel like a wild ride through chaos. Every year, I’d come home utterly exhausted, questioning my choice to work with 4-year-olds. It felt like my principal had given me a class of little troublemakers just to test my sanity.

You might wonder, “What’s the fuss? Can’t you just give them some Play-Doh and call it a day?” Oh, sweet child, let me enlighten you.

1. They’re 48 Months Old.
   Yes, that translates to 4 years, but it feels like 48 months! These tiny humans are still mastering the basics of social interactions—like sharing toys and not using their friends as a target for their bodily functions. It takes a lot of practice!
2. First Time Away from Home.
   For many of them, this is their first real experience being away from their parents for an extended time. Sure, they may have spent a night at Grandma’s, but now they’re in a room full of unfamiliar faces and a teacher they just met. That can be a bit overwhelming, especially when mom won’t stop snapping photos.
3. Fight or Flight Mode.
   During that first month, I wore sneakers daily to keep up with the “runners.” One minute, we’re reading “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” and the next, I’d spot a kid bolting for the door. I often feared I’d end up on the evening news as the teacher who lost a student to a city bus.
4. They Don’t Know How to Do Much.
   These little ones are still learning how to line up or even how to make a line! There were times when I’d wonder if they could even button their pants or open a glue bottle.
5. Teaching the Basics.
   I’m convinced my gray hairs came from teaching 25 pre-kindergarteners how to walk in a line. We’d try all sorts of tricks—like pretending to be a train—but somehow the line always turned into a messy swirl by the end of the day.
6. Attention Span of a Gnat.
   Experts say that a 48-month-old can focus for about 8 minutes at a time. Now imagine trying to fill a 6-hour school day with engaging activities. And if a real gnat flies in the room? Forget it; you might as well cancel the lesson.
7. They’re Everywhere.
   Just when you think you’ve rounded them all up after recess, another one pops up, like a game of whack-a-mole. Many states have no limits on class sizes for pre-k, so you could easily find yourself juggling a classroom full of energetic toddlers.
8. Contagious Emotions.
   They don’t just share germs; they share feelings too! If one child starts crying, they all join in. And if one starts to throw up, it’s a complete meltdown. Nothing strikes fear in a teacher’s heart quite like a student belting out “Let It Go” during circle time.
9. Boundless Energy.
   If you think your own kids drain your energy, imagine a whole classroom full of them. Their energy could power the state of Texas for a year!

Thankfully, by November, things start to calm down, and that’s when the real fun begins. Until then, it’s a daily dance with insanity.

So, if you have a little one starting school, why are you still reading this? Go grab a bottle of scotch for their teacher!

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In summary, teaching pre-k is a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and pure joy. While the beginning of the school year can feel overwhelming, it’s also the start of a wonderful journey of growth for both teachers and students alike.