Active supervision involves all your skills as a teacher. Read the following scenarios. Identify the problems related to supervision. Then brainstorm possible solutions.

1. It’s a beautiful day outside. You and your co-teacher, Jana, are on the playground with your class of preschoolers. The children all seem busy outdoors.

   You and Jana sit at a picnic table under the playground awning and begin to chat. A few girls come join you. Before long, you are both honored guests at a pretend picnic.

   Problem:

   It is always important to play and interact with children. Your play must not be so engrossing that you cannot supervise children, though. In this situation, you and Jana are both actively involved in play.

   You are confined to one area of the playground and have limited views. You may not be able to see the entire playground. You may not be able to recognize a problem and respond quickly.

   Possible Solutions:

   Assign one adult to supervise and another to join play. Take turns in each role.

   Assign each adult a specific area of the playground to supervise.

   Move around the playground continuously.

    

2. You and your co-teacher, Melanie, have been working hard to find the right arrangement for your classroom furniture. Melanie suggested that you create a cozy corner where children can relax.

   You love the idea. She offers to bring in a tent that her own children loved. When she brings it in and sets it up, you realize that the fabric is solid on all sides and the doors zip closed.

   Problems:

   Places for privacy are very important in preschool classrooms. This space could be unsafe, though. It is not possible to see inside. Children can zip themselves inside and be hidden from teacher’s sight.

   You cannot supervise anything that happens inside the tent.

   Possible Solutions:

   Choose a different tent that has open sides or mesh sides.

   Do not use the tent. Provide beanbags or pillows in a protected area of the room. Do not cover the area.

    

3. A new child has enrolled in your classroom. Although she has only been in your room for an hour, she has found every door. She has already run outside to the playground twice and made it into the hallway once.

   Problems:

   It is not safe for children to leave your room without an adult. You cannot leave the room without putting other children at risk and leaving your teaching partner out of compliance with ratio guidelines.

   Possible Solutions:

   Call for help from another adult. You will need to spend time building a relationship with this child and teaching her the safety rules. Teach the child only adults open doors. Use visuals/pictures/signs to help her remember. Stay close to the child and use positive guidance techniques at all times. Consider short term solutions to help you be aware of unsafe situations: bells on doors, etc.