Outfit ideas for teaching in kindergarten - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfit ideas for teaching in kindergarten

Helena

Veteran

Hi there, as you may know I'm at the start of career 2.0 becoming an early childhood educator with a goal of teaching in preschool and/or taking on the ECE role in a kindergarten class. I'm beginning with some volunteer work and work placements over the next few months and want to start building a wardrobe. The trick is balancing the reality of the job (fingerprint anyone?) with the desire to look professional to principals, parents, etc. Any suggestions for pieces or outfits? Obviously washable, nothing too precious and not overly drapey is good. I am thinking more color would play well with a school setting too. So far I've been wearing black ON pixie pants with a tailored crewneck and some sort of statement necklace for volunteering. I know I need a comfortable pair of black flats. Does that work as a uniform of sorts? Any ideas and feedback appreciated!

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

Yes, that works. The BR ankle pants (sloans and other variants) are awesome and most of the time are 40% off.
Cotton woven shirts or tunics might also be a possibility.

Many teachers wear leggings with a tunic/simple a-line dress.
Ballet flats would look good with this.

Great that you're starting a new career!

Helena

Veteran

Great suggestions Smittie ... I need some pants for sure; I'll look out for the Sloans. Like the tunic and leggings idea as well ... Very comfy! Thx

SandyG

Veteran

I worked in K-3 and in junior high. I'm petite and often a couple primary students were almost my height. We didn't look very different! I switched from good jeans and pants to more tailored, classic separates, washable of course; classrooms and students are hard on clothes. Comfortable skirts with pockets, and some dresses that I could move around in (I'd do tube skirts now) and soft jackets made me feel professional. It was my 'costume' for the job and I received much more respect from the students, parents and school staff.

Young students respond well to colors. My shirts in bright colors were workhorses and felt cheery every day.

kerry

Veteran

This was my post two years ago when I made the switch from grade 8 math teacher to kindie! Wanna come and work in my class? My lovely ECE is going on mat leave next year. Maybe I'm a little too far away in Forest Hill

Anything goes. It's kindie after all. I wear mostly denim with washable tops (tunics, tees, sweaters, hoodies even), flat, very comfy shoes. I think kindie can be a lot different from other primary classes as you're on the floor, at centres, with the kids a lot. I also don't think bright colours are necessary. We have a sort of Reggio lean in our room and prefer quiet non-colour for the most part so I don't like to compete too much with that vibe in my clothing.

At 44, making the switch to kindergarten 12 years into my teaching career was one of the best decisions I ever made. The love, positivity and curiosity in kindergarten is a lovely thing to experience every day. And the hugs aren't bad either

Lots of luck!

Roxanna

Veteran

I have a good friend who is a kindergarten teacher - One thing I would add is that in the wintertime, make sure you have lots of thin layers. Kindie classes can be sweltering, but then you go outside for recess or lunch duty for up to an 1 hour and you are freezing your socks off!

btw my son's kindergarten teacher has an excellent blog if you are interested in play based learning (we are up in Leaside/Davisville Village.)
http://wondersinkindergarten.blogspot.ca/

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a lovely career! I really like what Kerry said about the positivity of little kids.

I agree with what Roxanne said about layers. Also nodding along with Kerry about the need for clothes that can go on the floor if required. So some denim might not be bad...or at least washable trousers. I think the BR Sloans would work in this regard.

Colour if you like it....but I doubt if it is necessary. Another option: maybe...a "signature" accessory? For example, it might be fun to develop a collection of alphabet (or animal) brooches that the kids could have fun remarking on.

I used to teach in a secondary school, which is quite different. But I wore jeans a lot. The school was rural and very casual; even though I wore jeans I was often more "dressed up" than other staff. But if I had meetings with administrators or parents I always wore a skirt and nice shoes, or a blazer and better trousers. And I wore a skirt some regular days, too, but usually a more casual one (e.g. knit vs. woven).

catgirl

Veteran

I would wear the same things hairstylists wear - mine always looks good but also prepared for dye and mess.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! It is a leap of faith that this is a good idea - it's so different from my marketing career of the past - but I am so inspired by this age group that I am feeling positive

AG - what a brilliant suggestion - would never have thought of this!
Suz - that's a great idea - the kids have been very interested in my necklaces - a bib today, a pendant last week. Although nothing as interesting as the "volunteer" badge I have to wear because it has pictures on it!
Roxanna - great suggestion and I will check out that blog. I love that area! I used to live right at Davisville and Bayview - I still miss it.
Kerry - I wish! I tend towards rich muted colors - perhaps these split the difference somewhat. They somehow feel more appropriate than blackfor school - perhaps because the kids are so very colorful in what they wear.
Sandy, great suggestions - I like the idea of a "costume" since it is very much a "role" you are playing, isn't it?

Thanks all - I could have guessed I'd find such kind support and great suggestions here

kerry

Veteran

Oh my gosh, Roxanna! I've been in Anamaria's classroom. I visited one morning last year as an example of a model classroom. I'm so inspired by her Reggio approach. How lucky your family is to be in her class! BTW I used to teach at Hodgson.

Helena

Veteran

Kerry and Roxanna, if either of you can recommend any resources around the Reggio-inspried approach, it would be appreciated.

kerry

Veteran

Sure! Ill PM you this week with some links and such.

DonnaF

Veteran

Prints/patterns on top and/or bottom. They are more forgiving of spills, stains, and wrinkles. Pattern mix! Have Natalie's (Goldenpig's) daughter advise you. . .

Helena

Veteran

Thanks Kerry, and great ideas Donna, thx

Bonnie

Veteran

I taught grades K to 4 and loved K the best. Everything has to be wash and wear, comfortable, give good coverage when bending, squatting, etc., and be fun. They really pay attention to everything you do and, if they are like my daughter when she was in K, tell everything at home. I love the way they come to school ready to learn and so confident. I thought it was really important to encourage and keep that positive spirit alive. Have fun!!!

Anonymous

Your children will notice everything you wear and often comment on it. Maria Montessori advises "teachers" to look as attractive as they can. Be sure to have a warm, long puffer coat with hood for winter recess duty.
Little children will notice your grooming, even your smell.
I would suggest wearing some color, although it does not have to be bright, some bling, and boots when you can. For some reason kids like boots. They also look a bit authorative and certainly more professional than sneakers.
I wish you joy in this endeavor. One thing is sure. You will not have a dull moment. You will face huge challenges on a daily basis. Your work is critical. You are setting the attitude that those children will have toward learning from here on.

heather.enhui

I was a preschool/kindergarten librarian/nurse/teacher (it was a small school so we all had multiple roles) and I echo everyone's suggestions on washable, stretchy, comfy clothes. One thing to add - fun nail colors. As a nurse I could never wear nail polish so I loved being able to experiment with crazy colors and the kids loved it. The school was an immersion English school (in Beijing) so the color of my nails usually led to some good English conversation for our native Chinese/Korean speaking students.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations! That sounds like a good career move, as you'll be able to be in and out of home along with your own kids. Perfect, right?!

From what I have seen of your WIWs, you already have the perfect style for a KG teacher. I know you have a classic style and a love for simple fuss-free clothes becoz you already spend a lot time with your own kids.

Simple basics, comfortable clothes ----That's what I recommend. Nice tshirts, sweaters, stripes, B&W contrast outfits with denim and Breton stripes - all are good. The only other recommendation I have is leggings and tunics. They're very easy to wear and very comfy while always looking put-together. Have fun!

anne

Veteran

Congratulations TG. No further advice to add, but hope it all goes well.

It is always interesting to see the international differences. Denim hasn't been allowed for teachers in any Australian schools my kids have been to, for instance. When I taught in a kindergarten in Japan, blue jeans weren't allowed - but tracksuit pants were fine!

And in my state of Australia, we say "kindy" (not kindie), though in some others it is called "kinder". They also refer to different years - in my state a non-compulsory part time year - in others the year before Grade one (which my state calls "pre-primary").

Also my kids use "kindy" as a noun to refer to a child of that class "he is a kindy" "the kindies came in to assembly". We never did that when I was a school - I do find language change fascinating.

Just rambling...

BlondeAmbition

When I was an elementary school teacher I lived in Clark shoes. In general I find most ballet flats very uncomfortable. But there are a variety of Clarks styles that are Very comfy and stylish. You'll be on your feet a lot, plus you'll need to sit on the floor at a moments notice so a good flexible and supportive shoe is not only necessary to get you through the day but also good for the long term health of your feet.

LaPed

Veteran

Congrats TG! You've received so much wonderful advice already I don't have much to add.

I agree with Maneera that what I've seen of your WIWs are spot-on for a school environment.

Joy's comments are so thought-provoking. I often think of Maria Montessori when I get dressed, because I do think I teach (and parent) better when I'm put together -- physically and mentally! I think it has to do with that whole enclothed cognition phenomenon -- how we treat our bodies really does change how we interact with others.

Make-up and jewelry is an interesting question. I don't wear make-up at all and when I was teaching full-time I had my hair in a very short pixie cut. I was working with middle schoolers (grade 5 - 8) in a small, rural, predominantly blue-collar town, and got a *lot* of questions about my "boy hair" -- and I was actually quite happy to be in the role of rattling their sense of the gender binary a bit. And happy as well to show the girls (and boys too for that matter) that women don't have to look a certain way, that "feminine" "pretty" "strong" etc do not have fixed, absolute definitions. I do think signature accessories can be a great way to connect with students, sometimes bordering on a massive distraction.

Lots of luck to you. I still work mostly with teens but parenting a toddler and spending a lot of time looking at local preschools and childcare centers has me thinking I may migrate down to ECE someday. Would love to talk Reggio-Emilia with you sometime, that's an exciting direction to go!

Anonymous

Alaskagirl's idea to use stylists for inspiration is excellent, adding that a more structured shoe will give better support and also definition to your outfit, plus they can be a good way to add detail. Loafers instead of ballet flats, and maybe in an embossed leather or with metal hardware?