Imagine a room where the first thing you see when you walk in is colorful and creative backpacks around half the size of a high schoolers bag. As you’re setting your stuff down you hear little voices and the sound of crashing building blocks being toppled to the ground.
This experience describes some of the things you will hear and see in room 2509, The Skyline Preschool.
This program helps the young ones that attend by providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for the kids to grow and learn many varied skills.
Leandra Ruedi the Preschool director has been leading this program for 5 years. She finds an interest in teaching because she enjoys leaving a positive impact in the kid’s lives.
“Every day is different and you get to work with many different personalities and it feels like you are doing something that matters and making an impact on the children’s lives.” Ruedi said.
The kids that attend this school range from the ages of 4-5 years old and teaching children this young can be very difficult and a hassle to many.
“I usually sit very quietly in a visible spot giving physical cues, letting them know that I am waiting for them to listen, also using encouragement, and getting them to adjust behaviors that may not be appropriate for the given moment.” Ruedi says.
Similar to all schools, the Preschool has so many memories and stories that go behind it, as someone who takes part in this program I can say that there have been so many memories I have made with each of the kids and it has truly been so great to see how they make memories with one another.
“Every day there are silly things that happen, you can’t pick a favorite memory because it feels like picking a favorite kid and I don’t have a favorite kid,” Ruedi said. “Seeing how proud they get when they realize they knew something that they didn’t think they would know like a second before is the most satisfying feeling of each day.”
The experience of preschool may seem foggy to a lot of people and we often forget how much Pre-K can benefit a child. Because of the values the kids get out of the program sets them up for success before primary school.
“We work on social/emotional interactions a ton, helping them speak up and advocate for themselves, we practice patience, and methods they can use to ask for help. I feel like when our students leave our Pre-K classroom that they are ready for kindergarten, knowing how to sit in a class, listening skills, and contributing.” Ruedi states.
Overall, it seems like Preschool can make a grand impact on a child’s school future and many kindergarten teachers have expressed this.
“I have heard from many kindergarten teachers how they just are more prepared and that is the goal we strive to meet each year.” Ruedi adds.
The Preschool also has a class the high schoolers can take to give some additional help during the busy days and even help the kids with certain tasks
“The TA’s assist with the projects, room redecorating that happens every month, they can help the kids calm down or slow down, providing more one on time to get answers to questions and share stories. They are always up for the task and help me a lot by giving some extra hands.” Ruedi states.
As a TA myself, I feel like this course provides some really great experiences and has taught me so much more about how to handle difficult situations and being more patient. It has been so amazing to see how these kids turn into great friends to others but also seeing how they grow throughout the year is so heartwarming and something that can’t be easily described.