Meaningful Jobs

It is the teacher’s job to make all children feel wanted. Many classrooms have assigned “jobs” for some children, but not enough for each child to have one. This sets up a climate of competition instead of belonging.

Introducing a job board with the same number of meaningful jobs as you have children in your classroom (20 jobs for 20 children) not only allows children to be significant contributors but it is also helpful in children learning routines and activities.

To decide what jobs are needed:

1)Make a list of class management tasks that you do. From this list decide which jobs can be turned over to children.

2)Involve the children. Ask for their assistance in coming up with the jobs and creating a job board that lists all the jobs.

3)Think in terms of the social and emotional support children need and enjoy.

Here are a few social and emotionally supporting jobs:

-Greeter: greeting children as they enter the classroom using the Morning Greeting Apron or other ways the children select to greet others as they enter the classroom.

-Kindness recorder: noticing all the kind acts children perform during the day. At the end of the day, the kindness recorder can share with the class all the kindness acts.

-Encourager: noticing children who are having a difficult time and giving out a prefabricated heart or drawing a picture for that child.

-Visitor Greeter: greeting guests that come into the classroom. Teach each child how to walk over to the guest and say “Welcome to Mrs. Smith’s class, my name is _____. How can I help you?”

-New Child Buddy: being the buddy of a new child who enters the classroom. The job can be developed by the class by asking the children “How would it feel to enter a new classroom with no friends and not knowing anything about the class?”

The following are suggestions for jobs to include ALL children.

- attendance person- lunch counter

- reporter- water counter/soap squirter

- table cleaner- snack person

- door holder- board cleaner

- light person/electrical engineer- mailbox person

- rest mat helper- flag holder

- doctor- magic broom

- tape player- sign person

- chair stacker- librarian

- quality control inspector- puzzle piece helper

for each center- photographer

- paint brush washer- messenger/errand runner

- pet caregiver- gardener

- morning greeter- kindness recorder

- encourager- visitor greeter

-new child buddy

One way to administer the jobs is to place library card pocket holders on poster board and put a picture of the job to be performed and write the job’s name on each pocket. Have the children glue a picture of themselves and print their name on a large craft stick. Each stick can be placed in a card pocket. The sticks are rotated each week as children change jobs. At the beginning of the year each job must be taught. This takes time and lesson planning. After the children learn the first two or three jobs, each child will then teach the child whose job it will be the next week.

Adapted from Conscious Discipline – 7 Basic Skills for Brain Smart Classroom

Management, Dr. Becky Bailey, Loving Guidance, Inc., Oviedo, FL, pp. 77-

80, 2000.

Social-Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (SEFEL): Positive Relationships and Supportive Environments

NC Early Learning Network