Websites for Preschool Teachers
- Teach Preschool
- Pre-Kinders
- Teacher Tom
- Education World
- Smithsonian Learning Lab
There are many websites available for teachers, and especially for teachers of preschool children. Most authorities in child development stress that the first five years in a child’s life are a time of unparalleled brain growth. The first three years, especially, are critical for brain “architecture.” Teaching preschoolers, though, can be challenging. Not only are kids developing knowledge and skills related to reading and math and other areas of education, but they are learning social skills. The websites presented here are examples of a plethora of resources available online for teacher inspiration and support. To see more great websites for preschool teachers, visit 5 Great Websites for Preschool Teachers.
“Teach Preschool”
This is a website for early childhood educators that is extremely user-friendly. The menu features pages dealing with common areas of early-childhood teaching. Under “literacy,” for example, are articles about using flannel boards and learning circles in the classroom to teach children the fundamentals ( and pleasures) of reading and writing. STEM subjects are approached through creative articles like “Six Crazy Ways to Explore With Snow Inside the Classroom” and “Exploring the Science Behind Clouds.” Sections of the site also deal with setting up a classroom effectively and creative use of resources. There are articles on “Making Our Own Chalk Paint” and “A DIY Sandtable” that address the all-too-often times teachers must dig into their own pockets to pay for resources.
“Pre-Kinders” by Karen Cox
This site has tons of teacher resources for preschool classroom use like games to teach math. The “Cookie Jar Playdough Mats and printable board games, for instance, teach counting skills. The site helps teachers of young children to develop lessons around themes like “Family” using songs, books and hands-on projects. Going further, though, the site gives teaching and presentation tips, helps teachers understand technology and even addresses assessment methods.
“Teacher Tom”
Tom Hobson is a preschool teacher in a cooperative school. His website is not about lesson planning, and does not contain a wealth of preschool learning projects. Instead, it contains literally dozens of articles of inspiration and support for teachers. Topics in his archived articles range from teaching community to talking about death. One recent article talked about what happens when teachers allow children to lead, and another addresses rules and why children act the way they do. Teachers who have dealt with children who insist on standing on tables or hurling missiles at classmates will find support and encouragement through reading the articles on this site.
“Education World”
“Education World” is another website containing a blog, but it deals more with trending issues affecting teachers and nuts-and-bolts lesson presentation. The site actually includes lesson plans. According to Forbes Magazine, the years from birth through early elementary school are a “particularly rich time” to encourage growth of curiosity in STEM subjects. Another site that addresses the issue of teachers sometimes buying their own resources, “Education World” has a page of affordable materials to teach STEM subjects including Popsicle sticks and connectors made to put them together in a variety of shapes and creations.
“Smithsonian Learning Lab”
The Smithsonian website has literally hundreds, if not thousands, of resources for teaching children about the world around them. Although the site does not specifically address the needs of young children, it enables teachers to adapt lessons and presentations using the Smithsonian’s vast collections of video and audio materials as well as images of artifacts and other materials. The site contains an interactive tool that allows teachers to put into one place resources they already use and Smithsonian materials, making it easier to combine them for classroom lessons.
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Master’s in Educational Leadership Online
Preschool teachers sometimes are imagined as “ baby-sitters” and child care personnel, but what they do is crucial. They are building a solid foundation that will hold all the information and skills people need to succeed and to contribute to society. It is a difficult calling, though, and teachers of young children need all the help they can get to stay positive and engaged. These websites can be a springboard that allows preschool teachers to seek out even more inspiration and support for their vital calling.