You're Getting a Little Test-ty: Preschool Teacher Style Test

Preschool Teacher Style Test 

There’s no need to sharpen your number two pencils anytime soon. Take this quick and easy test to determine your teaching style.* 

You would describe your teaching style as: 

A. Extremely structured, detail-oriented and teacher-directed
B. Laid back, unstructured, and child centered
C. Child-friendly, allows children to question and answer freely, but sticks to lesson plan
D. What is a lesson plan? 

Your lesson plans are: 

A. Purely skill-based

B. Encourages discovery and questioning

C. Builds on knowledge previously acquired

D. Off the cuff, but based on the unit topic 

Which center do you enjoy planning for the most?: 

A. Math 

B. Science/Discovery 

C. Dramatic Play 

D. Sand and Water 

Mostly A’s: Old Fashioned School Marm: You are a firm believer in facts and figures. Structured lesson plans give your students important information which allows them to understand the fundamentals of the subject you are teaching. While rote learning is extremely crucial in this profession, make sure to add a touch of silliness and whimsy through props such as puppets, messy activities and “unexpected” joys such as a simple movie about the topic. 

Mostly B’s: 2000’s Teacher of the Year: The children are the hub of your learning environment. You try to make lessons fun and invite children to learn and explore, but sometimes your lack of structure can be your downfall. Make sure to provide children with circle-time rules to create an orderly environment instead of an all out circle-time free-for-all complete with screaming and frantic hand waving. Don’t worry, they will still love you even if you tell them no sometimes. Give it a try! 

Mostly C’s: Miss Middle: You’re teaching style is in the middle of the road. While you feel that obtaining knowledge and skills is essential in order to advance to new and exciting subjects, you take the slower and less followed route. 

You acknowledge your student’s previously acquired knowledge and incorporate it into your lesson plan, instead of around it. Children can better comprehend your lessons through monitored question and answer sessions throughout the lesson. 

The one key factor is that you as the teacher are in complete control of all the components of the lesson. Encourage students to continue their learning by providing information to their parents/caregivers such as websites or books to give your lessons that extra sparkle. 

Mostly D’s: "But I Want to Be Their Friend": Teachers who believe that students should see them as a friend rather than a kind authority figure will always be one step behind the pack. The line of friend and teacher is a slippery line to cross. 

I myself have found myself losing my grip and swinging to the “I need them to like me” scenario. One thing is clear: You are the teacher and they are the students. 

Preschoolers need rules in order to feel comfortable with their changing environment (so remember to be firm). The little dynamos will forever be some of the best at trying to wiggle their way out of doing their job or putting away their toys. 

Ways to reduce this scenario, are creating transitions. Transitions such as morning songs, clean-up songs, and lunch/snack time rituals tell children that you are the teacher and have scheduled and organized your room to set clear limits and goals for them. 

*I have created this test for fun. Please do not take it so seriously. All of the suggestions included are ways to reduce teaching stresses and enhance your teaching style.*