How to make that patience for a Pre-K–6 teacher: Ericka Bolt

Teaching is often described as both a calling and a craft. For educators working with children from Pre-K to 6th grade, it can sometimes feel like an endurance sport mixed with stand-up comedy, crisis management, and a dose of magic. One moment you’re tying shoelaces, the next you’re explaining fractions, and before you can take a sip of coffee, you’re calming a tearful student who misses their pet goldfish. At the heart of all of this is one golden resource: patience.

But patience isn’t just something you either have or don’t have. It’s a skill—one that can be nurtured, practiced, and refined. Many seasoned educators, such as Ericka Bolt, emphasize that patience is the difference between surviving and thriving in the classroom. So, how exactly can a teacher cultivate that legendary patience that keeps classrooms joyful, productive, and sane? Let’s dive in.

1. Remember the Developmental Stage

The first step in cultivating patience is understanding where children are developmentally. A five-year-old is not going to sit still for 45 minutes, no matter how engaging your story might be. A fourth grader may blurt out answers not to be rude, but simply because impulse control is still under construction in their brain.

When you remind yourself that kids are learning how to be human—not just math or reading—you can shift your perspective. Instead of viewing interruptions as disrespect, you begin to see them as opportunities to guide growth. That mental shift is the foundation of patience.

2. Build Routines That Work for You and Them

Chaos is the number one patience-drainer. If your day feels unpredictable, it’s easy to get frazzled. Children thrive on structure, and so do teachers. Establish consistent routines—morning check-ins, quiet reading times, transition signals—that reduce the number of surprises in a day.

The less energy you spend putting out fires, the more patience you have to actually engage with your students. Think of routines as guardrails that keep both you and your students safe on the learning highway.

3. Practice the Pause

One of the best tools for building patience is the pause. When a student tests your limits—whether through repeated questions, off-task chatter, or forgotten homework—take a breath. Literally. Count to three before responding.

This tiny moment buys your brain time to shift from reacting emotionally to responding thoughtfully. It models self-regulation for students and prevents those “I wish I hadn’t said that” moments.

4. Laugh Often

Patience isn’t just about holding back frustration; it’s also about leaning into joy. Humor is a secret weapon for teachers. When a student calls you “Mom” by mistake for the fifth time this week, chuckle instead of groan. When a first-grader asks if you live at school, play along for a moment before giving the real answer.

Laughter relieves tension, builds bonds, and helps you roll with the unpredictable nature of working with kids. If you can laugh about it, you don’t have to lose patience over it.

5. Take Care of Yourself First

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Sleep-deprived, overworked, under-caffeinated teachers find patience in short supply. Self-care is not selfish—it’s a professional necessity.

Whether it’s setting boundaries around grading time, enjoying a quiet morning routine before school, or pursuing hobbies outside the classroom, recharging your own energy gives you the reserves to stay calm and compassionate in the classroom. As educator Ericka Bolt often notes, “A well-rested teacher is a more patient teacher.”

6. Celebrate Small Wins

Patience grows when you acknowledge progress—yours and your students’. Did the kindergartners line up without a meltdown? Celebrate it. Did a student who usually interrupts wait their turn once? That’s growth worth noticing.

By focusing on what’s working instead of what’s not, you shift your mindset toward gratitude, which naturally fosters more patience.

7. Use Empathy as a Lens

Behind every outburst, every tantrum, and every “I forgot my homework again” is a child navigating big feelings and little experience. When you pause to see behavior through the lens of empathy, patience becomes easier.

Maybe that chatty student just wants to be heard because they don’t get much attention at home. Maybe the quiet child isn’t ignoring you—they’re simply anxious. Understanding the “why” behind behaviors can help you respond with kindness instead of irritation.

8. Keep Perspective

At the end of the day, your students will not remember the worksheet you handed out or the exact math problem you solved on the board. What they will remember is how you made them feel. Did you respond to their mistakes with patience? Did you smile when they were proud of something small?

Keeping the bigger picture in mind—the impact you’re making on a child’s self-worth—helps keep patience at the forefront.

9. Lean on Your Community

No teacher should try to cultivate patience in isolation. Share stories with colleagues, swap strategies, and laugh about the shared chaos of teaching young learners. Sometimes, just knowing you’re not the only one struggling to stay calm during indoor recess can refill your patience tank.

Professional communities, both in-person and online, are gold mines for encouragement and practical tips. Teachers like Ericka Bolt often stress the importance of mentorship and collaboration in sustaining patience and positivity.

10. Remember, Patience Is Practice

Finally, give yourself grace. Patience is not a finish line; it’s a daily practice. Some days you’ll respond with zen-like calm, and other days you might snap quicker than you’d like. That’s normal.

Each day offers another chance to grow. When you reflect on your own reactions and commit to trying again, you model resilience and growth mindset for your students.

Final Thoughts

Being a Pre-K–6 teacher is not for the faint of heart. It demands energy, creativity, and a whole lot of patience. But patience doesn’t have to be an impossible standard—it can be something you intentionally cultivate.

Through empathy, perspective, humor, and self-care, you can build the reserves you need to guide children not only in academics but also in the lifelong lessons of kindness, resilience, and respect. And in doing so, you’ll find that patience isn’t just for your students—it’s a gift you give yourself, too.