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Behind every finger-painting masterpiece and block tower in preschool classrooms across the country, dedicated early childhood educators are working tirelessly to create meaningful learning experiences for young children. While the relationship between parents and teachers is generally positive, there’s often a communication gap that, if bridged, could make the preschool experience even better for everyone involved—especially the children.
We spoke with dozens of experienced preschool teachers to uncover the insights they most wish they could share with parents. Their candid responses reveal both practical advice and deeper perspectives that can transform the parent-teacher partnership and enhance your child’s early education journey.
One of the most consistent messages from preschool teachers is their desire to be recognized as professional educators.
“Many parents see us primarily as childcare providers,” says Maria, who has taught preschool for 15 years. “While we certainly care for children, we’re also implementing carefully designed curricula and creating learning experiences that build crucial foundations for future academic success.”
According to a report from Jacksonville Mom, preschool teachers typically earn about half as much as elementary school teachers, despite their critical role in early development. Yet they’re responsible for teaching fundamental skills across all developmental domains—cognitive, physical, social, and emotional.
What teachers wish you knew:
How this knowledge helps your child:
When you recognize and respect your child’s teacher as an education professional, you’re more likely to value their input, follow through on their suggestions, and create a consistent approach between home and school—all of which benefit your child’s development.
While many parents are understandably focused on academic readiness, teachers consistently emphasize that self-help skills and independence are far more important for preschool success.
“I can teach a child their letters and numbers,” explains Devon, a pre-K teacher in Minnesota. “But I can’t effectively teach 18children simultaneously if they all need help zipping coats, opening lunch containers, and using the bathroom. Independence skills make everything else possible.”
According to the Spokesman-Recorder, teachers value self-help skills, such as putting on a coat and opening a lunchbox, over academic skills when children start school.
What teachers wish you knew:
Skills to practice at home:
“When parents tell me they don’t have time to let their child practice these skills, I gently remind them that I have 16 children and limited time,” says Keisha, a preschool teacher in Georgia. “The few extra minutes at home make a world of difference in the classroom.”
While worksheets and academic drills might seem like “real learning” to some parents, preschool teachers unanimously emphasize that play is the most effective vehicle for early childhood education.
“I sometimes have parents who want more ‘academic’ activities and fewer ‘just playing’ times,” shares Lin, who teaches 3-year-olds in California. “What they don’t realize is that when children are building with blocks, they’re learning physics, engineering, spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and often language and social skills as they work together.”
Research consistently supports this approach. According to the Healthy Family Project, play fosters problem-solving skills, fine motor coordination, language development, and emotional awareness—all crucial foundations for later academic success.
What teachers wish you knew:
How to support play-based learning at home:
“When a parent tells me proudly that their 4-year-old can recite the alphabet or count to 100, I’m happy for them,” says Marcus, a veteran preschool teacher. “But I’m much more impressed when I hear that a child spent an hour creating an intricate pretend scenario or solved a problem during play. Those skills predict long-term success much more reliably than memorization.”
Parents are often surprised—sometimes concerned—when teachers describe behaviors or challenges that don’t match what they see at home. Teachers wish parents understood that this difference is completely normal.
“Children behave differently in different environments,” explains Sophia, who has taught preschool for over a decade. “Just as adults might act one way at work and another way at home, children adapt their behavior to different settings and expectations.”
What teachers wish you knew:
How this knowledge helps your child:
When parents and teachers share observations without judgment, they create a more complete picture of the child. This collaboration allows for better support across environments and earlier identification of potential concerns.
“Instead of saying ‘my child never does that at home’ in a defensive way, I wish parents would get curious with me,” says Jamila, a preschool teacher in Texas. “Together we can figure out why the behavior is happening in one setting but not another, and what that tells us about how to support the child.”
Teachers notice clear patterns in how a child’s morning at home impacts their school day, but many parents are unaware of this powerful connection.
“I can often tell which children had a rushed, chaotic morning and which had a calm, predictable routine,” says Carlos, who teaches 4-year-olds. “It affects everything from their emotional regulation to their ability to focus during activities.”
What teachers wish you knew:
Creating a school-day morning routine:
“When parents prioritize an extra 15-30 minutes in the morning for a calm routine, we see the benefits all day long,” notes Aisha, a preschool director. “It’s one of the most impactful changes a family can make.”
Effective parent-teacher communication is consistently cited as crucial for children’s success, yet teachers often feel that parents miss important information or don’t share relevant details from home.
“We send home newsletters, post updates, and reach out personally,” says Taylor, who teaches in a preschool program in Washington. “But sometimes it feels like we’re sending messages into a void. We need parents to be equally communicative with us.”
What teachers wish you knew:
Communication tips:
According to Medium, the relationship between parents and teachers significantly influences a child’s success in school. Open, two-way communication builds the foundation for this relationship.
Teaching preschool is physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding work. Teachers wish parents understood the intensity of their daily experience.
“By the time parents arrive for pickup, I’ve managed hundreds of conflicts, wiped countless noses, changed dozens of activities, differentiated for various needs, and been on all day with little to no breaks,” explains Jordan, who teaches in a community-based preschool. “Sometimes parents seem frustrated if I don’t have a detailed report of every moment of their child’s day, but I’m responsible for 15 children, not just one.”
According to a report from Illumine, preschool teachers face significant challenges, including managing diverse developmental needs, documentation requirements, and communication with families, all while being significantly underpaid for their expertise and effort.
What teachers wish you knew:
How this knowledge helps your child:
When parents recognize and appreciate teachers’ efforts, it creates a more positive relationship that ultimately benefits children. Simple acknowledgments, reasonable expectations about communication, and occasional gestures of appreciation make a significant difference.
“A parent once told me, ‘I have two children, and I’m exhausted at the end of the day. I can’t imagine how you manage a whole classroom,'” recalls Denise, a preschool teacher in Ohio. “That simple recognition meant so much to me.”
The practical aspects of preschool life—appropriate clothing, necessary supplies, and functional gear—may seem minor, but they significantly impact a child’s daily experience.
According to a recent Reddit thread among early childhood professionals, teachers consistently cite practical issues such as appropriate clothing and supplies as major concerns affecting classroom functioning.
What teachers wish you knew:
Practical tips:
“When a child doesn’t have appropriate outdoor clothing, sometimes they have to stay inside while others play, or a teacher has to stay in with them,” explains Whitney, a preschool teacher in a cold-weather state. “Either way, it impacts not just your child but others as well.”
Perhaps the most important message teachers wish to convey is that they are allies, not adversaries, in supporting children’s development.
“When we bring up concerns, it’s because we care deeply about your child’s success,” says Elena, who has taught preschool for 25 years. “We’re not judging your parenting—we’re trying to collaborate with you to give your child the best possible foundation.”
According to Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, building positive relationships with parents is a key priority for effective preschool teachers.
What teachers wish you knew:
Building a strong parent-teacher partnership:
“The strongest partnerships happen when parents and teachers recognize that we each have valuable perspectives and expertise,” notes Miguel, a pre-K teacher. “Parents know their child best historically, but teachers often have broader knowledge of child development and see the child in a different context. Both viewpoints matter.”
When parents and teachers work together with mutual respect and open communication, children thrive. The “secrets” shared by preschool teachers aren’t about hiding information—they’re about creating deeper understanding between the important adults in a child’s life.
By recognizing teachers as educational professionals, supporting independence skills, valuing play-based learning, sharing relevant information, and addressing practical needs, parents can help create a seamless support system between home and school.
“The children who flourish most are those whose parents and teachers are truly on the same team,” says Gabriela, a preschool director with over 20 years of experience. “When we align our approaches and communicate openly, we create a foundation that benefits children not just in preschool, but throughout their educational journey.”
What questions do you have for preschool teachers? Share in the comments below!
