Teaching public school kids in Sunday school

I teach Kindergarten in an afternoon school, and I was told that I should try to be more:
affectionate, loving, emotional, making physical contact etc. with the students.

Since it's a small close knit school, that's what the parents want.

I am just not the touchy feely type. Does anyone have any ideas for me?

Do you tell your students you love them? Do you hug or kiss them?

I am just so used to bigger classes with more strict rules about touching, (so that they don't get
sued for touching inappropriately) but I guess with such young children, they don't mind.

Are there other mother's that teach in a Sunday school, do you sit kids on your lap?

Let me know if you have ideas on how to teach so the parents don't think I am too cold, or not close enough with the students.

thanks so much.

Moderator Joined: Aug 14 2005 Posts: 4547 Location: Ohio

I think saying love, hugging or kissing is over the line, and I am an affectionate person with my students, both in a Sunday school and a day school setting.

What about these ideas? You can hold their hand. You can pat them on the arm when you say good job for something? Maybe call them zeeskeit, or cutie? You can give verbal affection as well.

If they are upset, you can get down to their eye level and put your hands on their arms while you talk to them. Maybe those would be good compromises?

Little kids do want to sit on your lap. I usually just say, "why don't you sit here next to me. I only have one lap." These are kindergarteners, not three year olds.
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Silver Member Joined: Nov 30 2010 Posts: 650

When I taught 3 year olds, I never kissed my students or said I loved them, and I was never accused of being a cold teacher. Sometimes I picked them up and hugged them, especially when they hurt themselves. I had them slap me five. The mushiest thing I ever said was, "you're so cute."

Parents want to make sure their child is in a warm, loving environment. If they see you smiling, praising, giving a pat on the back, that's enough.

From what I see in gans:

I'm the old school type who thinks kids need physical affection too and say BH touching laws don't take place here Wink

(at least not in frum schools, I am not sure anymore what happens in public schools).

Now, "I love you" in my world is not even something many parents would say to a child (I do and am considered the mushy type Wink

) because love is love. Maybe I would say jokinkly "you, I love you" or "I adooore you" or something. Pet names for sure. Kids love sitting in the lap. You can also convey you love/like them in many ways, with words or attitudes or touch. Kissing, hugging, all good too.

I taught middle school girls and some of them still wanted hugs, pushed against me, touched my sheitel, etc. I saw some (female!!!) teachers allow it but I was more careful. I was raised thinking it's all good with kids but weirder with teens. It probably all boils down to whatever you were taught is normal. For me it would be hard to work while always keeping no touch rules in mind..

If there are laws where you are, you should ask straight what is and isn't allowed.
OP I think you also shouldn't do something you really don't feel like doing because it will feel wrong and kids will pick up on it.
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