Tools Preschool visit: Relationships and routines ready children for the year ahead

If you’ve never visited a Tools classroom, join us as we take a look at what’s happening inside! Our September Tools PreK Teacher of the Month, Natalie Gazdowicz, posts about her PreK children from their New Jersey classroom, where children are learning new routines and building relationships with her and each other.

Starting with routines

Ms. Gazdowicz’s PreK students kicked off this school year by learning new activities and getting acquainted with classroom routines. It’s easier to stay on track when children know what to expect—and they can even help their friends to do the same. “Our Daily Schedule is the backbone of our routine,” says Ms. Gazdowicz. “Working together, we have found what works best for us! Keeping our visuals eye-level allows our students to come up at any time and take a look at where we are and what will happen next.”

Getting ready and jumping in

Below, children are practicing “putting on their binoculars” to check the weather during Opening Group, and working together to complete their weather graph.

Here, children are learning Numberline Hopscotch, jumping and counting from 1 to 10.

Activities like Mystery Question help children get to know one another. Children try to recognize their names and help peers find theirs as well.

Ms. Gazdowicz’s PreK children also been Sharing the News this month. Children sit feet-to-feet with peers and share ideas on a variety of topics—from favorite ice cream flavors and colors, to what to do at school.

Children work together as they learn, creating a warm, welcoming PreK community. The strong foundation of routines and relationships Ms. Gazdowicz’s class builds now will serve them through June and beyond!

“We are so proud of the progress we have made in such a short time. With Tools of the Mind, our students are guided throughout their day with endless learning opportunities that are fun, realistic and developmentally appropriate!”
- Tools Preschool teacher Natalie Gazdowicz

Thank you to Ms. Gazdowicz and her preschoolers for sharing their routine-building journey with us!

To see more from Ms. Gazdowicz’s class and other Tools PreK Teachers of the Month, check out the most recent posts.

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