Hilary’s* Tips for Becoming an
Indispensable Volunteer in your Child’s
Classroom
1.
Observe - Relax.
Others will not judge you or your child. Begin by observing
all the children, the teacher, and the environment. Stay
seated in one place, visible from all parts of the room.
Leave guidance of your child to the teacher and other
workers. Bring a camera and take pictures (document
experiences). Kids love to be photographed. You will
automatically have a positive impact on the
classroom.
2.
Interacting with Children
during free choice time- Use
children’s names. Talk WITH children not TO them or
AT them. If opportunity allows, have a conversation with
them. Ask about a brother or sister or a pet. Children love
to talk about their family. Get close to a child before you
speak to them. Talk in a quiet voice. Use eye contact.
Touch a shoulder or pat them on the back – smile.
Play with the child (if in the block area ask about the
structures, ask if you can help build
too.)
3.
Reading with Children
- Children
old and young love to be read to. Find a cozy spot, sit in
the middle of children. Try limiting the amount of children
between 1-4. More children requires more classroom
management skills… Have each child read a page or
point to simple words (and, the, you, dog) for children to
help read the story. If this is your first time with a
group of children, pre-select two or three short books that
you think all the children might be interested in such
as The
Cat in the Hat.
4.
Interacting with children during specific lessons
– Work
with one table group. Sit in a chair and discuss the
assignment with the children. Have the children tell you
the directions. If these do not seem clear, clarify with
the teacher. When children ask you for an answer or help
try responding with question or ask another child what they
think of this problem. Try to encourage the children to
problem solve and not to rely on you as the “answer
giver” or the “speller”. If children are
participating in writing activities, help the children use
their own strategies (word/letter sounds, word patterns,
word walls, dictionaries, etc.) to sound spell. It is OKAY
to encourage invented spelling in K-3. This may mean some
words are spelled incorrectly.
5. – Discuss
the activity with the teacher. Sit in the “teacher
chair” at the family meeting group area. Use simple
language and directions. Leave guidance to the teacher. If
you are unsure what to do ask for help.
Other Volunteer Opportunities in the
Classroom
•
Join on
field trips
•
Help
publish (type) children’s stories or work
•
Assist
in prep work (copying, cutting, etc.)
•
Donate
classroom materials
•
Clean
classroom and toys
•
Document
(photograph and write children’s words) experiences
•
Mystery
Reader Coordinator
•
Bread
Baking Coordinator
•
Field
Trip Driver Coordinator
•
Mural
Coordinator
•
Musical
Coordinator
Volunteer Behaviors
•
Show
respect
•
Listen
carefully
•
Use
sincere, descriptive praise. Do not over praise.
•
Do not
use unkind words, sarcasm or a mean tone of voice.
•
Give
positive directions.
•
Encourage
children to try to solve their own disputes.
•
Be
positive and understanding
•
Try not
to take it personally if a child does not talk to you,
responds poorly to you or says things that seem rude or
unkind
•
If you
feel uncomfortable handling a situation or particular
child, ask for help.
*Dr.
Hilary Seitz is an Early Childhood Professor at the
University of Alaska, Anchorage.