Teaching Toddlers: 5 Essential Tips for New Nursery Teachers
23rd October 2026
The first few days in a nursery classroom can be a real learning experience for a new teacher. You may arrive with carefully prepared activities and a perfectly organised lesson plan, only to discover that the children have their own ideas about how the morning should go.
One child may refuse to sit down. Another may suddenly start crying. Someone may become fascinated by a tiny object on the floor. Two children may want the same toy. And just when you think everyone is settled, it may be time for a snack or another transition.
This is completely normal.
Teaching toddlers requires patience, observation, flexibility and a good understanding of early childhood development. A Diploma in Nursery Teacher Training can help aspiring educators develop these foundations before stepping into a real classroom.
5 Practical Strategies Every New Nursery Teacher Should Know
Here are five things many new nursery teachers discover during their first week and how you can prepare for them:
1. Your Lesson Plan Will Probably Not Go Exactly as Planned
One of the first lessons new teachers learn is that young children do not always follow the timetable.
You may plan a 20-minute storytelling session, followed by a colouring activity and a short song. On paper, it sounds perfect.
In reality, some children may lose interest after five minutes. One child may want to talk about something completely unrelated to the story. Another may need help with their crayons, while someone else may simply want to explore the classroom.
This does not mean your lesson has failed.
Young children have relatively short attention spans, and their engagement can change quickly. Effective nursery teaching therefore requires flexibility.
How to prepare
Instead of treating your lesson plan as a strict script, think of it as a flexible framework.
Prepare:
- A clear learning objective
- A primary activity
- A shorter alternative activity
- Simple visual or physical resources
- A movement-based activity
- A calm transition activity
For example, if children are learning about colours, you do not necessarily need to spend the entire session explaining colours. You could combine a short introduction with a colour hunt, sorting activity, song or art exercise. An online nursery teacher training course in India can help educators develop engaging, play-based strategies that make learning more interactive and meaningful for young children.
The goal is to keep learning active and age-appropriate.
2. Behaviour Is Often Communication
A toddler who refuses to participate is not necessarily being "naughty."
Young children are still learning how to understand and express their emotions. They may not yet have the vocabulary to say, "I'm overwhelmed," "I'm tired," "I don't understand this activity," or "I want some space."
Instead, their feelings may appear as crying, shouting, withdrawing, refusing to cooperate or grabbing a toy.
This is why understanding child psychology is such an important part of nursery education.
How to prepare
Observe patterns rather than immediately reacting to individual incidents.
Consider:
- Is the child tired?
- Are they hungry?
- Is the classroom too noisy?
- Have they recently separated from a parent?
- Is the activity too difficult?
- Are they struggling to communicate?
- Has something changed in their routine?
This approach does not mean ignoring inappropriate behaviour. It means responding in a way that teaches children how to manage emotions and interact positively with others.
A nursery teacher's role is not simply to maintain discipline. It is also to help children gradually develop emotional and social skills.
3. Transitions Can Be Harder Than Activities
A surprising challenge for new teachers is often not the activity itself but moving children from one activity to another.
Imagine telling a group of toddlers:
"Okay everyone, story time is finished. Let's put everything away and sit at the tables."
To an adult, that sounds straightforward.
For a young child who is deeply involved in playing with blocks, it can feel like an interruption.
Transitions include moments such as:
- Arriving in the classroom
- Moving from play to learning
- Cleaning up
- Going outside
- Returning indoors
- Preparing for meals
- Getting ready to leave
These moments can create confusion and resistance if children do not know what is coming next.
How to prepare
Create simple and predictable routines.
You can use:
- Songs: A short clean-up song can signal that playtime is ending.
- Visual cues: Pictures can show children what activity comes next.
- Warnings: Give children a few minutes' notice before changing activities.
- Consistent routines: When children know what normally happens next, transitions become easier.
- Simple instructions: Give one or two clear instructions at a time rather than a long list.
Predictability helps young children feel secure.
4. You Will Spend a Lot of Time Observing
When people think about teaching, they often imagine the teacher talking while students listen.
Nursery education is different.
Observation is one of the most valuable tools available to an early childhood educator.
By watching children during play and everyday activities, teachers can learn about their:
- Interests
- Communication skills
- Social interactions
- Motor development
- Problem-solving abilities
- Confidence
- Emotional responses
- Learning preferences
For example, a child who repeatedly builds tall structures with blocks may be demonstrating an interest in construction, balance and problem-solving.
Another child who constantly creates stories around toys may be showing strong imaginative and language skills.
These observations can help teachers plan more meaningful learning experiences.
How to prepare
Keep simple observation notes.
You do not need to write down everything a child does. Focus on meaningful behaviours and patterns.
Ask yourself:
- What did I observe?
- What might it tell me about the child?
- How could I support the child's next step?
This turns everyday classroom moments into valuable learning information.
5. Relationships Matter More Than Perfect Activities
Perhaps the biggest lesson of all is that toddlers need to feel safe, understood and valued before they can fully engage with learning.
A beautifully designed activity cannot replace a positive teacher-child relationship.
For some children, the first week at nursery may be their first extended experience away from their parents or familiar caregivers.
They may feel nervous or uncertain.
A warm greeting, patient response, reassuring voice and predictable routine can make a significant difference.
How to prepare
Build relationships through small everyday interactions.
You can:
- Learn children's names quickly
- Listen when they speak
- Get down to their eye level
- Acknowledge their feelings
- Celebrate small achievements
- Give children choices where appropriate
- Use a calm and encouraging voice
- Show genuine interest in their activities
Children do not need a perfect teacher.
They need an adult who is patient, consistent, observant and genuinely interested in helping them learn.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering a career working with young learners, a Diploma in Nursery Teacher Training can provide structured knowledge of child development, play-based learning, teaching strategies, classroom management and other essential areas.
With appropriate training, preparation and a willingness to learn from everyday classroom experiences, new teachers can become more confident in supporting young children's development.
The goal is not to become a perfect nursery teacher before entering the classroom. The goal is to enter the classroom prepared to observe, learn, adapt—and make every child's early learning experience meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most important skill for teaching toddlers?
Patience is one of the most important skills. Nursery teachers also need strong observation, communication, classroom management, creativity and emotional-awareness skills.
2. Why is play important in nursery education?
Play allows young children to explore ideas, practise communication, develop motor skills, solve problems and interact socially. Well-planned play can therefore become an important part of early learning.
3. Is nursery teaching only about taking care of children?
No. Nursery teaching combines care and education. Teachers support children's physical, cognitive, social, emotional and language development through age-appropriate activities and interactions.
4. How can I handle a child who keeps crying in class?
First, remain calm and try to understand the reason for the child's distress. The child may be experiencing separation anxiety, tiredness, discomfort or difficulty communicating their needs. A reassuring routine and supportive relationship can help.
