Posted Bybarbara on October 07, 1999 at 20:48:15:
In Reply to: Re: inappropriate practices posted byBobbi on October 05, 1999 at 18:01:42:
: OK, I guess I need help! In 15 yrs of preschool, I have not had a problem with my program until now. I have used DAP in suburban preschools with much success (maybe it was just the groups I had), I am now teaching in a Head Start program. I am using basically the same lesson and materials that I have always used. Last year, I had pre-k kids that only wanted to play, (such as just the cars, EVERY DAY, ALL THE TIME). I tried timed centers, but you always had a couple of kids giving 'attitiudes' or 'fits' if they could not have what they wanted to play with. I tried a month long DAP program, and I wound up with 3-4 kids at one time just standing with their arms crossed, refusing to try new activities for the entire morning. These kids would just sit at sharing time, refusing to participate, causing disruptions, begging to go play. We are talking about those young 5yr olds. My am/pm classes are the same. We eat a meal, brush teeth, sharing time (10 mins.), play (1hr), music/movement (15 min), quiet down to songs, then a language activity (10-15 min), wash up and eat again. Gym is squeezed in twice a week. I have kids that start with their 'attitudes' at mealtime ("I want to go play"), followed by refusing to participate in sharing time. They love to play, but if they hear you say 'blue car'or 'round block' (e.g.) they take off, getting away from you. Heaven forbid if a child wants to play with that toy. More fits. So,with DAP,do I just let them play? Do I just sit back and watch the kids play? If a child will not follow your lead (when you model an activity) do you just go on? Leave the child to do his thing? I believe alot of this is a behavior issue. The child is usually disrespectful to his/her parents, or gets away with whatever she wants at home. I have always had children who would participate, this refusual is baffling. (and when I had a stubborn child, it was usually only one, and when he saw what was going on that he was missing, he would come around.)
Bobbi, it does sound like a significant part of your problem is discipline. i teach kindergarten and follow a schedule of : calendar and opening, math stations (hands on math activities where kids have to stay at their table and complete the task), group time ( shared reading and writing-big book lesson, writing a story as a group), writing centers (which would not be the same for a pre k as kindergarten because we have 3 writing tables a publishing and a writing project). when the children finish at these tables they may go to a center - housekeeping, puzzles, books, blocks.
after lunch we have reading centers- flannel board, magnet boards and letters, library center, abc puzzles, listening center, computer, game table, etc. i specify how many can go to each center and the children put their name tag on the magnet board (instead of chalk board) to make their choice. these last about 20 minutes. after recess we have open centers- art, blocks, sand, computer, science, library, puzzles, etc. frequently kids want to go tothe same center but i will make them go to another. i hope you can find something that will work for your class. maybe some sort of incentive for listening at group time. good luck.