Preschool: Supervision and Accountability Indoors and Outdoors

What does active supervision involve?

• Only watching the children play

• Watching, listening, interacting, monitoring, and preventing problems

• Sitting in one place and observing from a distance

• Checking on the children every 15 minutes

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which is NOT a component of 'active and positive supervision'?

• Allowing children to explore without guidance

• Scanning play activities and circulating around the area

• Establishing clear and simple safety rules

• Knowing each child’s abilities

What is the appropriate supervision for older preschool children requesting privacy in the restroom?

• Supervise by remaining in hearing distance

• Always visually supervise the children

• Leave the children unattended

• Check on the children every 5 minutes

Which activity is considered OK for a teacher to do while supervising children?

• Answering the classroom phone

• Writing the class newsletter during free choice time

• Listening to headphones during rest time

• Carrying on a personal conversation on your cell phone

How often should children be counted to maintain accountability?

• Once every hour

• Every 30 minutes

• At the beginning and end of the day only

• Approximately every 15 minutes

What is a critical aspect of supervising children during rest time?

• Allowing children to nap on individual schedules

• Having at least one adult stay in the room with the children

• Leaving the room but staying in the facility

• Combining multiple full classes and supervising by a single adult

What should be considered when designing privacy spaces for children?

• Spaces should be completely enclosed

• Designing with open tops, low barriers, or sheer draperies

• Making spaces large enough for adults to join

• Using high shelves to create barriers

What is NOT a recommended strategy for ensuring all children are accounted for?

• Counting children by matching name to face

• Recording the count on an attendance sheet

• Allowing children to count themselves

• Noting any children who leave the group

What is essential for effective supervision outdoors?

• Only supervising during specific activities

• Allowing children to explore out of sight

• Following adult-child ratios at all times

• Letting children play without interference

Which is NOT a tool for supervising children outdoors?

• A walkie-talkie or approved cell phone for emergencies

• Blind spots in playground design

• Working in teams to identify supervision 'hot spots'

• Strategically standing to see all children