A Preschool Teacher's Role

In preschool, a teacher's primary role is to teach. Ofaren't potty trained aren't even allowed to enroll. While
course she will love, nurture, serve as a role model,in our school teachers willingly change children out of
and even change diapers for her charges, but first andlove and caring, the teacher's job is to teach, not
foremost her goal is to teach. At times, parents losechange diapers. Potty training can be very difficult, and
sight of this.this teacher was willing to help Colleen's parents with
At three years old, Colleen's parents hadn't startedthe task. Her father should have not only appreciated
potty training her yet. Every day she would move herher desire to help out, but also her willingness to
bowels at one o'clock, and you could almost set yourchange his daughter's soiled diapers so many times.
watch to it. The girl was very regular. Her teacherFace it, a three year old's bowel movement is very
spoke with her father, and suggested that they workdifferent than that of an infant. It is not a pleasant job
together to begin to toilet train Colleen.for anyone.
Her father became instantly offended and told theSome parents have personal reasons for waiting to
teacher that he would train his daughter when hepotty train their children until they are older, even four
believed it was time and it was not her place to makeor five years old. They believe that if they wait until
that suggestion. He went on to say that changing histheir child is completely ready on his own, it will be a far
daughter's diaper was the teacher's job and sheeasier process. If that is how you feel, at least say
shouldn't complain about doing her job.thank you to the teacher who needs to clean and
This was a disheartening conversation. To begin with,change your child while she is at school.
changing diapers is not in the teacher's job descriptionAnd please don't lose sight of the teacher's primary
for a three year old. In many schools, children whoresponsibility, which is teaching.