Teaching pre-kindergarten was a passion of mine. Throughout my career, I explored various grades, yet pre-k held a special place in my heart. There were moments—like hopping around as a frog during storytime or witnessing a child write their name for the first time—when I found myself questioning, “How did I get so lucky to have this much fun?” However, the start of the school year? That’s a different narrative altogether.
The first six weeks in pre-k can genuinely feel like a teacher’s version of hell. Each year, without fail, I would return home exhausted after another demanding day, pondering why on earth I chose to work with 4-year-olds. I often forgot the joy that came later in the year, convinced that my principal had deliberately assigned me a class of little troublemakers as some kind of cruel joke.
“What’s the fuss?” you might wonder. “Isn’t it just about giving them some Play-Doh and calling it a day?” Oh, my dear, naïve friend, let me enlighten you.
1. They’re 48 Months Old
While that technically means they are 4 years, the reality feels much more like 48 months. At this age, children are still mastering the fundamentals of social behavior—sharing toys, for instance, or avoiding accidental bathroom mishaps. And believe me, it takes significant practice to get these skills down.
2. It’s Their First Extended Separation
Many kids might have spent a few hours with Grandma, but this is often their first real time away from home. Meeting you and their 20 classmates for the first time can be overwhelming, especially when Mom insists on snapping endless photos before leaving.
3. Fight or Flight Mode
During the first few weeks, I wore sneakers daily, ready to chase after what we affectionately dubbed “the runners.” Sometimes, you could spot a potential escapee before they bolted, but other times, it was completely unexpected. One moment, you’re engrossed in “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” and the next, a child darts out of the room. I often worried that I’d end up on the evening news as the teacher who lost a student halfway through lunch.
4. They Don’t Know How to Do Much
At this age and with their first school experience, they struggle with basic tasks, like forming a line or even the concept of a line itself. They might not even be able to button their pants or open glue bottles without assistance.
5. Teaching Basics is Key
I’m convinced my prematurely gray hair is a result of trying to teach 25 pre-kindergarteners how to line up year after year. You employ tricks, read stories, and use fun props, but despite your best efforts, the line often resembles a twisted piece of Laffy Taffy—especially at dismissal, when parents and the principal are watching.
6. Attention Span of a Gnat
Educators often mention that 48-month-olds have an attention span of around 8 minutes, max. When you multiply that by a 6-hour school day, you realize how many activities need to be planned! And woe betide you if a gnat flies in during a lesson—consider the day a lost cause.
7. They’re Everywhere
Just when you think you’ve accounted for everyone after recess, another little one pops up, reminiscent of a chaotic game of whack-a-mole. In many states, there’s no cap on pre-k class sizes, so you can end up with a full house. The logic is baffling: while babysitting 25 kids is deemed unreasonable, one teacher handling that many is perfectly acceptable.
8. Infectious Emotions
They don’t just share germs; they spread emotions too. If one child starts crying, it’s like a chain reaction, and if one gets sick, the whole class is in trouble. Nothing sends a chill down a teacher’s spine quite like a child suddenly belting out “Let It Go” in the middle of morning circle.
9. Boundless Energy
You likely know this from your own kids, who seem to drain your energy. Now, imagine a classroom filled with that level of enthusiasm—it’s enough to power the state of Texas for a year.
Fortunately, by November, things start to calm down. Miraculously, the little ones find their rhythm, and that’s when the real fun begins. Until then, it’s a daily dance with madness.
So now you understand the chaos. If you have a little one who just entered school, why are you still reading? Get to the liquor store and grab your child’s teacher a bottle of scotch!
This article originally published on Sep. 7, 2015.