| For a preschool teacher to educate effectively, she | | | | way in the preschool classroom. |
| must have a heart of compassion. A preschool | | | | Compassion is Remembering that No One is Perfect |
| classroom is one filled with youngsters who are trying | | | | Preschool teachers have to deal with a great number |
| to figure a way to socialize in appropriate and morally | | | | of spilled drinks, dumped paints, crumbled crayons, and |
| acceptable ways. Compassion is a foundation from | | | | messy meals. Compassion is remembering that no |
| which these life skills can be built. | | | | matter how many times a clumsy or careless drink is |
| It is important to recognize that compassion does not | | | | spilled, no one is perfect. Even teachers make |
| mean overlooking difficult situations or problematic | | | | mistakes and deserve second chances. Children feel |
| elements in the classroom. In fact, apathy is the polar | | | | accepted when a preschool teacher doesn't criticize or |
| opposite of compassion. Apathy basically implies an | | | | ostracize them in the classroom. Certainly it is OK to |
| attitude that says I really don't care, whereas, | | | | have a child help clean up a mess or take responsibility |
| compassion says I car a great deal. A preschool | | | | for a mistake, but compassion doesn't hold a grudge or |
| teacher needs a compassionate heart, so she can | | | | expect perfection. |
| effectively address the children in a calm, fair, and | | | | Compassion is Sympathizing with a Situation |
| loving manner. There are a few basic ways that a | | | | Preschool children love to talk to someone who has a |
| preschool teacher can show compassion toward her | | | | sympathetic ear. Preschool teachers can be some of |
| students and develop a caring classroom environment. | | | | the best confidants and encouragers to young children. |
| Compassion is Firm, Fair, and Consistent | | | | If a child loses their favorite toy or breaks their prize |
| There is no place for a preschool teacher who shows | | | | possession, a preschool teacher should lovingly |
| preference or favoritism toward certain students. | | | | console the child. Some have claimed that there is no |
| Compassion means that the teacher must use loving | | | | place for coddling in the preschool classroom. There is |
| judgment to discern how to handle a situation. In doing | | | | a big difference between coddling and sympathizing. |
| so, she must have a firm and fair response that is | | | | Coddling says I will protect you from a difficult situation, |
| consistent in both form and function. For example, if a | | | | and sympathizing says I will support you as you face a |
| child disobeys a classroom policy, the discipline must be | | | | difficult situation. |
| the same for every child who disobeys that same rule. | | | | Preschool teachers can have an effective classroom |
| The punishment should be appropriate and dispensed | | | | filled with compassion. Young children are |
| in a loving and positive manner. Kids thrive on | | | | impressionable, and a tenderhearted teacher can have |
| consistency, so firm and fair treatment goes a long | | | | a valuable impact on a maturing young life. |