Open Discussion Forum

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

I would first suggest your director talk to local law enforcement. The new motto is Run, Hide, Fight. They have found that "lockdown" makes you sitting ducks :( Our school has undergone 3 trainings on this since August, including a drill with police officers present. So far, we haven't included the kids, but we will need to once we are fully trained.

There are stories on Teachers Pay Teachers that explain drills to students. I have the fire and tornado ones, there is an intruder one as well. I like that there are simple, but colorful illustrations that explain each step. I have students with autism and these have been invaluable.

------------------------------
Heather Finnegan
Preschool Teacher
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School
Delavan WI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

Good morning Heidi.

Yes, we often times we find it very difficult to keep students quiet during times of "Safety," but it is very important that we bring important information to the children the way they will understand it.  Yes, make a game of it.  Teach children how to catch a bubble and count to 50 or 100.  Make a "Challenge" of it.  If this strategy is incorporated and practiced each day, children will become familiar with what it means to stay quiet.  I would even make a game of getting everyone in the room or to that point of safety (i.e., "I Spy a straight line, a red flashing light, etc.) with a game.  It is important that you teach the children how to use their "imagine" so that when things become very difficult, they will already understand that it is important for them to sit quietly, count, and use their imagination until the exercise is over.

Have an AMAZING first year!  Dr. Void

------------------------------
Lois Void
Friendship Public Charter Schools
Washington DC
------------------------------

I usually refer to fire drills and remind children that when we practice for a fire we are pretending there is an emergency inside and we have to get out to be safe.  Then I explain that in a lock down drill we are pretending there is something that is not safe outside and we are hiding from it inside.  Kids usually understand and do a good job of hiding and playing the quiet game until we release them.  I explain that in a real lock down a police officer would come and tell us it is safe to come out but because we are just pretending a real police officer won't be coming.

------------------------------
Sherrie Rose Mayle
Director/Teacher
Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
Campbell, CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

Sherrie,

Thank you so much for your thoughts and sharing what you do with your students.  I think your explanation to the students makes a lot of sense.  I really think students at this age have a right and need to understand why we are doing these things.  I understand making it a game with our younger students/children, but at some point students need some type of explanation for why we do what we do.  I think once they have a general understanding, then doing something like "The Quiet Game" works fine, and is a great way to help them practice staying quiet.  Thank you so much for sharing what you do!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2019 08:54 AM
From: Sherrie Mayle
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

I usually refer to fire drills and remind children that when we practice for a fire we are pretending there is an emergency inside and we have to get out to be safe.  Then I explain that in a lock down drill we are pretending there is something that is not safe outside and we are hiding from it inside.  Kids usually understand and do a good job of hiding and playing the quiet game until we release them.  I explain that in a real lock down a police officer would come and tell us it is safe to come out but because we are just pretending a real police officer won't be coming.

------------------------------
Sherrie Rose Mayle
Director/Teacher
Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
Campbell, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

I like Sherrie's suggestion, modified for whatever fits your center.  It's so difficult to explain this to children and it hurts deeply that we have to.   I feel for all of you who have to go through these drills.

------------------------------
Aren Stone
Child Development Specialist
The Early Years Project
Cambridge, MA
she/her
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

Aren,

Thanks for your thoughts!  I, too, think it hurts that we, unfortunately, live in an age where we have to explain such things to students, and practice for something so terrible.  How I wished these drills/practices were not necessary!  Unfortunately, they are though.  I truly hope and dream of the day when the world is a peaceful, kind, loving place just Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of.  Just another reason to be teaching and showing/modeling the importance of kindness, caring, compassion, and generosity to our students.

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2019 05:19 PM
From: Aren Stone
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

I like Sherrie's suggestion, modified for whatever fits your center.  It's so difficult to explain this to children and it hurts deeply that we have to.   I feel for all of you who have to go through these drills.

------------------------------
Aren Stone
Child Development Specialist
The Early Years Project
Cambridge, MA
she/her

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

We call all these mandated drills "safety drills" - ways to keep children safe. I think it's fine that the children consider this "fun" and playful. For now, that is sufficient for them to practice the skill of getting quickly to their safe place where their beloved teachers will take care of them.
The people who are learning what to do from the drills are the adults - not the children.  Sadly, the little ones will not be "silent" - it's asking more than they can do. They immediately feel the tension and fear of the adults. At this age they will likely cry. It is the adult's job to comfort, calm them as you can.
I have been with four year olds during a time of tear gas and police firing on people. The children will cling to their safe adults. It's you who needs the training - and the support. And for now - children need to feel safe and child like.
(It helps if you can remember that despite the growing numbers of unforgivable horror stories - despite even one shooting being one to many - the likelihood of your school being invaded in this way is very slight. And teaching fear makes children more fragile, not better prepared).

------------------------------
[Julie] [Olsen Edwards]
Soquel CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

I disagree with this a bit, because some children do understand emergencies, based on their life experiences and/or the experiences of their communities.  On the West Side of Chicago, preschoolers stop what they're doing if they hear something like gunfire, and they take drills seriously for the most part. In other places where children have relative privilege, and are taught that they don't need to snap to attention no matter what an adult says, they are less likely to attend quietly during these drills. Communities are not all the same, and so neither are children.  The drills are for all involved to walk through procedures and develop relative comfort with it.  Students can develop some muscle memory about staying quiet for short periods of time if they practice it in some way, even if just a minute a day of listening to music without talking.

------------------------------
Mars April Caulton
Teacher & Teaching Artist
Chicago IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2019 08:47 PM
From: Julie Edwards
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

We call all these mandated drills "safety drills" - ways to keep children safe. I think it's fine that the children consider this "fun" and playful. For now, that is sufficient for them to practice the skill of getting quickly to their safe place where their beloved teachers will take care of them.
The people who are learning what to do from the drills are the adults - not the children.  Sadly, the little ones will not be "silent" - it's asking more than they can do. They immediately feel the tension and fear of the adults. At this age they will likely cry. It is the adult's job to comfort, calm them as you can.
I have been with four year olds during a time of tear gas and police firing on people. The children will cling to their safe adults. It's you who needs the training - and the support. And for now - children need to feel safe and child like.
(It helps if you can remember that despite the growing numbers of unforgivable horror stories - despite even one shooting being one to many - the likelihood of your school being invaded in this way is very slight. And teaching fear makes children more fragile, not better prepared).

------------------------------
[Julie] [Olsen Edwards]
Soquel CA

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

Mars,

I totally agree with you.  I understand making it kind of a game for our younger students, but I think, if explained correctly to students in my age group (4-5 years old) that they are ready and able to learn from it.  Like you mention, if students are not taught the importance of the situation, you cannot expect them to respond like is needed.  At this age, I think they really need to start practicing and working on how they need to be, because I, too, think these drills and practices are not just for the adults, but are also important for the students/children so they know what they need to do so we adults can keep them safe.  I also think that an important part of the practice is so students get comfortable with it, so, if the situation ever arise, it hopefully will not be quite as scary.  I realize that, if it did happen for real, and there was things like yelling or gunfire, it would be extremely scary for students and they will become emotional, but I think it is extremely important and helpful for them to have practiced what to do so they know why we are doing it, and that we are doing what is needed to keep them as safe as possible.

Thank you for your response.  I think you are right on with your thoughts.

Heidi

------------------------------
Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2019 11:32 PM
From: Mars April Caulton
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

I disagree with this a bit, because some children do understand emergencies, based on their life experiences and/or the experiences of their communities.  On the West Side of Chicago, preschoolers stop what they're doing if they hear something like gunfire, and they take drills seriously for the most part. In other places where children have relative privilege, and are taught that they don't need to snap to attention no matter what an adult says, they are less likely to attend quietly during these drills. Communities are not all the same, and so neither are children.  The drills are for all involved to walk through procedures and develop relative comfort with it.  Students can develop some muscle memory about staying quiet for short periods of time if they practice it in some way, even if just a minute a day of listening to music without talking.

------------------------------
Mars April Caulton
Teacher & Teaching Artist
Chicago IL

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2019 08:47 PM
From: Julie Edwards
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

We call all these mandated drills "safety drills" - ways to keep children safe. I think it's fine that the children consider this "fun" and playful. For now, that is sufficient for them to practice the skill of getting quickly to their safe place where their beloved teachers will take care of them.
The people who are learning what to do from the drills are the adults - not the children.  Sadly, the little ones will not be "silent" - it's asking more than they can do. They immediately feel the tension and fear of the adults. At this age they will likely cry. It is the adult's job to comfort, calm them as you can.
I have been with four year olds during a time of tear gas and police firing on people. The children will cling to their safe adults. It's you who needs the training - and the support. And for now - children need to feel safe and child like.
(It helps if you can remember that despite the growing numbers of unforgivable horror stories - despite even one shooting being one to many - the likelihood of your school being invaded in this way is very slight. And teaching fear makes children more fragile, not better prepared).

------------------------------
[Julie] [Olsen Edwards]
Soquel CA

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2019 08:46 AM
From: Heidi Van Amburg
Subject: HELP PLEASE: Explaining Lockdown/Code Red drills to PreK students

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering if I could get some feedback about what you think is appropriate to tell/say to PreK (4-5 year olds) students regarding Lockdown/Code Red drills.  This is my first year teaching, and I could really use some advice in this area.  The students totally understand the fire drills and tornado drills and the reasons for them.  I teach in an Early Childhood Center and most of my students moved up to my classroom from the Preschool (3 year olds) classroom, and are used to doing the drill.  I have two students who came new to the school.  I do not believe any of my students have ever had the purpose of the drill explained to them- they were too young before.  I feel like I should give some type of explanation to them so they better understand.  They all pretty much think it is a game when we turn out the lights and go in our bathroom, so they are pretty noisy.  If the situation would ever really occur, they need to know the importance of being quiet.  Since when they were younger it was taught as kind of a game, it is very hard to get them to be calm and quiet.

I do not, however, want to cause a lot of fear in my students.  I want to reassure them that our school owner/administrator and office staff are handling the situation, and will let us know when it is safe to be loud and come out.  What is appropriate to tell them?  I did have one suggestion from a teacher who tells her students that their principal (she is at a public school) saw a person in the building on the cameras that had not gone and checked in at the office.  She tells them that they are just going to be silent with the lights out, and stay in the bathroom while the principal finds this person and makes sure they are a safe person to be in the building.  My dilemma is we do not have cameras throughout the inside of our building that are used during the day, because licensing says that is not okay.  Otherwise, I like her idea of explaining to students that our owner/administrator is checking to make sure someone that is in our building is a safe person.

Does anyone else have any other, or further ideas?  I would really love some advice.  As I said, I think my PreK students need some type of  explanation to help guide their behavior during the drill (or if it ever really occurred).  Thank you for any ideas, and advice you can provide.  I will be very grateful!

Heidi

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Heidi Van Amburg
PreK Teacher
Primrose School of St. Louis Park West
Crystal MN
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