What’s In A Name In A Preschool Classroom?

When you walk into the early learning center that I direct, you find children making choices, producing only child-created crafts and participating in a great deal of exploration & self-discovery.  The atmosphere is relaxed and allows children to build their knowledge at their own pace by choosing from a plethora of offered experiences.  It is a place where children acquire a foundation that matters – one of self-esteem, self-help, critical thinking & decision making skills and a love of learning.  A parent pointed out to me recently that she admires that in this child-centered environment, we teach the children to call us by last name.

In my school, I am Mrs. Terebush.   I am not Miss Cindy.  I have heard the argument that first names are easier to pronounce.  No.  The youngest children in my program, age 2 ½ years, do a really good job of saying Terebush.  It may not be perfect but it is always understandable.  They learn it like they do every other word – by hearing it over and over.  Surely, a child who can say, “Crackers, please” can master many last names.

I have also heard that many preschools use Miss with a first name to create an atmosphere of friendliness.  I don’t understand why Miss Smith is automatically less friendly than Miss Jenny.  Over the years being a teacher, then director, then consultant, I have seen some Miss Jennys and Miss Sues speak to the children in a tone that was less than friendly.  A warm atmosphere is created by warm people and not by the decision to use a first name.

One of the goals of preschool should be to help prepare children for the upcoming elementary school years.  We teach them to put on their coats and open their own lunches.  We teach them to sit nicely together and to negotiate play.  We take individuals and show them how to function as a class.  None of these children will go to kindergarten and be able to call the teacher Miss Anne or Mr. Joe.  Calling the teacher by last name is a part of being in a school in this country.

Calling a teacher by last name may be one of the last vestiges of a time when all adults were referred to by last name as a sign of respect.  I am always impressed when my son’s teenage friends speak to me and say “Mrs. Terebush” without hesitation.  My immediate response is to think that the teenager was raised to be respectful of adults.  I will tell teens that they can call me “Cindy” but I appreciate the fact that I need to give that permission.  We are not equals.  There is and should be a societal pecking order.  At the very least, people should be afforded the respect they have earned.  Teachers are authorities and are educated.  Just as we teach preschoolers to call their doctor by his title and last name, so should they be taught to call their teachers by last name.  It is not wrong to teach respect.

I sit in the small chairs to interact with our preschoolers.  I laugh with them and play with them.  I hold upset children and comfort them.  I give them every opportunity to learn, grow and feel loved.  I teach them respect by respecting them.  I am proud to say that I am loved by them even though my name is Mrs. Terebush.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Read more articles and learn about workshops for parents and early childhood professionals at www.helpingkidsachieve.com.                                                                

For information about The Early Learning Center of Temple Shalom or Temple Shalom Religious School, contact Cindy Terebush at eddirector@templeshalomnj.org or call 732-566-2961.