The History Behind “Kindergarten”:

 The word “kindergarten” has its origin in Germany. German educator, Friedrich Froebel, in 1837 started a school in Blankenburg, Germany. He described teachers as gardeners and children as plants. He believed that teachers were akin to gardeners who nourished the plants (children).

According to UNICEF, “early childhood” occurs from conception through age 8. This is the period of rapid growth in childcare and hence proper early childhood care and education are vital for the holistic development of children.

Kindergarten is based on the preschool educational technique that is activity-based and involves social interaction. It helps children transition from their home to school. The kindergarten teachers create for a home away from home for the children and enable a smooth transition.

Qualities of a Kindergarten Teacher:

Being a kindergarten teacher cannot be everybody’s cup of tea. Some of the essential prerequisites to being a kindergarten teacher are love for children, patience, creativity, and a strong desire to mold and shape young minds.

 Qualifications Required:

To be eligible for the role of a kindergarten teacher, the minimum criterion is graduation along with courses such as a pre-primary teacher training course or Nursery teacher training.

Some Montessori schools do not emphasize on graduation. In such cases, specialized courses such as Early Childhood Education, Child Care, and Education, Montessori education, etc are essential.

 10 Reasons Being a Kindergarten Teacher is Hard:

Though being a kindergarten teacher seems all fun and frolic, it certainly is not so. There are a host of impediments one must be able to overcome to be able to truly fit the job.

 1. “Patience is a virtue” is an apt saying as far as a kindergarten teacher’s role goes. This is because it is impossible to be a great teacher if you do not have the patience to deal with young children.

2. Children by nature are impulsive. Expecting them to be all quiet and attentive is something that can never be achieved at the kindergarten level.

3. Even if you manage to garner their attention, keeping the toddlers engaged and attentive can be a daunting task if your interest does not match the expected level.

4. There are some reluctant and resistant children who prefer to remain distant. It requires special efforts on the part of the kindergarten teacher to get such children out of their shells.

5. Multitasking in a kindergarten teacher’s life is an understatement!

6. Kindergarten may be the first place where the special needs of some children come to light. It requires ample patience to observe such characteristics.

7. Each child has varying abilities which further complexes the duty of the teacher.

8. Structure and discipline are behaviors that require to be patiently taught in any kindergarten classes.

9. Kindergarten teaching is not just about A-Z and 1-10. Kindergarten teachers employ kindergarten methods and come up with bright innovative ideas to teach children.

10. Last but not least, it is sometimes an uphill battle to deal with certain confused and tough to please parents regarding their child’s behavior and studies.

 In a nutshell, it takes a very loving and compassionate person with oodles of patience to be a good kindergarten teacher. They are the ever-smiling, ever-helpful, affectionate educators touching the lives of toddlers in magical ways. Despite the challenges of their job as a kindergarten teacher, their involvement in the formative years is priceless.