What Toddlers Teach Us: A Preschool Teacher Reflects - updated

What Toddlers Teach Us: A Preschool Teacher Reflects - updated

When I first became a preschool teacher, I thought my role would be to teach little ones how to speak, count, share, and follow instructions. I imagined the job would involve shaping young minds with structured lessons and colorful charts. But after nearly a decade in early childhood education, I’ve come to a surprising and humbling truth:

Toddlers have taught me more than I’ve ever taught them.

Every day, I learn lessons in patience, creativity, resilience, and joy — all from children who can barely tie their shoes. And these lessons are not just important for teachers; they’re lessons all caregivers, parents, and even other children can learn from.

1. Curiosity Is the Best Curriculum

If you've ever watched a toddler with a cardboard box, you know what I mean. In our classroom, we’ve had weeks where a single box became a rocket ship, a cave, a bakery, and a boat — all depending on the day and the child's imagination.

Traditional lesson plans are fine, but what drives true learning at this age is curiosity. I’ve seen children gather around a puddle for twenty minutes, watching how leaves float and sink. That is science. When they ask, “Why is the sky blue?” or “How do bees make honey?” — they’re asking real, complex questions.

Our role isn’t to rush past their curiosity in favor of worksheets. It’s to pause and wonder with them.

2. Big Emotions Come in Small Packages

Toddlers feel everything deeply — excitement, frustration, sadness, and pure joy. I’ve seen a child cry for five solid minutes because another child stepped on her drawing, and later, I’ve seen her laugh uncontrollably because someone said “bananas” in a funny voice.

At first, I thought my job was to help kids “control” these emotions. But I’ve learned it’s more about guiding them through it: naming feelings, showing empathy, and helping them navigate.

We now have a “feelings corner” in the classroom — a cozy space with soft pillows and emotion cards where kids can go if they need to reset. It’s not a timeout. It’s a place to feel safe and seen. And it works.

3. Listening Is a Superpower

One of the most underrated tools we give toddlers is our full attention. And when we really listen — not just to their words, but to their body language, tone, and play — we learn what matters to them.

One day, a boy kept knocking over the same tower during block time. He wasn't being disruptive — he was experimenting. I sat down and asked, “Are you trying to make it fall differently each time?” He lit up. “Yes! I want it to fall like this!” From there, we turned his game into a lesson on balance and gravity.

All it took was a moment of listening.

4. Play Is the Most Serious Work

In my classroom, we don’t say, “They’re just playing.” We say, “They’re working.” Because when a toddler stacks cups, negotiates who gets the red crayon, or pretends to be a chef, they’re learning vital skills: coordination, cooperation, empathy, sequencing, and communication.

Adults sometimes feel pressure to introduce academic content earlier and earlier. But research and experience both tell us: toddlers learn best through play. Let them play with real tools, roleplay everyday situations, explore textures, and solve simple challenges on their own.

5. They Learn from Each Other

Some of the most powerful teaching moments I’ve seen didn’t come from me or another adult — they came from another child. A toddler showing her friend how to zip his jacket. A child helping another clean up spilled beads. A group of three-year-olds figuring out how to “build a zoo” with cushions and chairs.

These peer interactions are crucial. Children often feel more empowered when learning from each other because the language and understanding are at their level. As adults, we can foster this by creating group play opportunities, rotating partners, and simply stepping back at the right moments.

6. You Don’t Need Fancy Tools — Just Trust

We live in a time of high-tech toys and screen-based learning. But in our preschool, we rely on simple, open-ended materials: wooden blocks, scarves, natural objects, crayons, magnifying glasses. We trust that when given time and space, toddlers will explore and create in ways that are more meaningful than any app could design.

Our philosophy is simple: observe, support, and reflect. Let the child lead when they’re ready, and gently guide when they need it.

---

Final Thoughts: Toddlers Are Teachers, Too

It’s easy to forget that toddlers are whole people, just smaller. They come with their own insights, quirks, and perspectives. When we treat them as active participants in their own learning — not empty vessels to be filled — we not only help them grow, but we grow too.

So whether you're a parent at home, a grandparent visiting for the weekend, or a fellow educator: watch closely. Listen carefully. Play wholeheartedly. And don’t be surprised if, by the end of the day, your toddler has taught you something new.