Kindergarten teachers

Never having had a child, I don't know too many kindergarten teachers, I do know one, but I know her because she's a neighbor/friend of my roommate's folks. The only stories I've ever heard about male kindergarten teachers, are well publicized cases of child abuse, most notably the one out of California (I think) where the mother & at least 1 son were involved in some serious charges of child abuse. I think that part of the reason women get into the field is because many don't have any education and being a "child care worker" at a kindergarten can be a way to supliment their income and often they start when their own child is in the facility so they get discounted child care too. Personally, I can't think of a much worse job....

I know some exist here, but I've never seen one. Haven't checked for a few years, actually, but the last I remember, only 2% of kindergarten teachers in the US were men. When I took early childhood development courses in college, though, most of the teachers were men.

No, I don’t think men would become good kg teachers, Sandhya. For one, men as fathers are not good at child rearing at home. It is not to say that they don’t do it or that all are inept, but majority of them are not very capable of handling a small kid (who is just older than a baby), its tantrums, its demands, its feeding, changing, the continuous attention is deserves and so on. Nothing wrong in it , but I think men have less patience than women in putting up with such things. Its just the way they are. And then men’s voices…a lot lot harsher and completely different from the mother’s soothing voice that the children are used to. And the physique of men is also too hard and when a child is lost, it seeks the softness of a mother’s body. Kg is but an extension of the home environment with the child taking its first step in the outside world without the protective umbrella called mother. So the kg environment should be as similar as to that which a mother can provide and hence we don’t have any male teacher’s in kg.

Hello dear SViswan. I think that it might be the reason that female teachers are more careful and tender to small kids at preschool. And also kids love more of their mothers and they would treat their teachers like their own mothers. It is the same in China that we seem not to have male kindergarten teachers. There are many jobs that fit women, like teachers, nurses, doctors, secretaries and such. I think that these jobs just need women because they are more careful and more caring. Could this be the reason? Thanks.

I've never come across ANY teacher before the 4th grade that was a male. In all three schools I attended and on my kids two school it seems the norm for younger kids are female teachers. My neighbor was a grade school teacher and he taught 4th grade and I asked him why. He told me that anything before the 4th grade was too much work. You have to deal with kids having accidents in their pants, crying when they get upset, not listening when they are told the first 3 times to sit down and do their work etc etc etc So I assume that females teach the younger grades because they have more nurturing qualities then men do. They also have more patience. Great discussion!

During when I was a kid, our school back then does not recruit teachers other than nuns, that's why later on when I was in college, I was quite surprised to see that our school has opened up it doors to male teachers in kindergarten.

i had one. he was the drawing teacher in our kindergarten school. But you are right, most are women teachers. i do not know why there are not men teachers as well. may be men are not happy with low paying jobs.

No, I have not come across any male KG Teacher so far. May be women in general can handle kids better than men. Women are soft, patient and caring and knows very well how to handle little kids. Men may not be as gentle with little kids as normally women are.

No I can not say that I have ever come across a male Kindergarten teacher. I am sure that there is a reason why there are not many, if any. It probably deserves a little research. I had never even thought about it. I think think traditionally teacher may have been a female profession, but I know I am not sure about that.

There are very few kindergarten teachers since this type of job is viewed upon as only for women... and most schools prefer to hire women rather than men... since this might be an issue for the parents... come to think of it... i was a teacher for quite some time... but i never met any men who taught this level... I have no doubt that men can also be good kg teachers... but in my case... i prefer my baby to be taught by women rather than men...

Hi Sviswan, My nephew is 3 and half years and he is in kg. They have 3 teachers and they are all male. And also in sunday school, their teacher is male. I agree with you that those are rare cases in most developed countries but here in my country there are even women truck drivers and they take it as any other job.

It is sad that there aren't more male teachers around at all. Especially when there are so many children growing up with just mum around. We need more male role models for our kids but because of the worlds attitude of 'he could molest my child' more men are dropping out of education.

Not sure what age kindergarten teachers teach over there? Here in Australia we have male preschool teachers or prep teachers, who teach 5 year olds. However I mainly see women Preschool teachers at schools. It is becoming more popular here in Australia for men to teach the upper grades (year 6 and 7). I have never known a male kindergarten teacher personally, but I am sure they can do equally good a job teaching as women. I also think it would be good to have a male role model for some of the younger kids as some of them miss that at home. I have seen a few male child care workers and they seem quite good.

Men make real good teachers and infact they become so soft and tender when they have to teach the little ones. But many schools and parents prefer female teachers, for simple reason that they will stick to the job for long. Many male teachers if they get a better opportunity they move out. But most female teachers dont do that that is the main reason.

come to think of it no I havent I didnt see a male teacher till I got to the 7th grade. maybe men cant handle the little ones

nope i havent known one i guess...but im sure a male teacher for kindergarten could be more effective especially the married ones..

now that you mentioned it, i haven't seen any male kindergarten teachers too. everyone of them that i met or saw was a female. even my kindergarten teacher was a female. i think its because female teachers deal better with little kids. most women have a long line of patience that is badly needed when dealing with a child. ^__^

Hi SViswan, I believe young children relate better to women, and that's why Kindergarten teachers are usually women. Having said that I know that their are men who can do an equally good job. Blessings.

I think almost all of the teachers in my kids' school are female. The only male I've seen (other than the principal) is one of the PE teachers!

Interesting, come to think of it I know plenty of male teachers but none who teach kindergarten..I'm not sure men would have the patience for kids that young but I'm sure there are some out there who do. I have never met one myself though.