A kindergarten Teacher is responsible for integrating young children into the world of learning by teaching them social skills, personal hygiene, basic reading skills, art, and music. These teachers prepare children for the higher grades of elementary school, as well as certain aspects of life outside of the educational system. Kindergarten is the bridge between early childhood care and elementary school; it is a very important year for students and requires some special knowledge from the kindergarten teacher. A kindergarten Teacher is responsible for planning the curriculum for each day and for the collective school year. Teachers must allow the children to observe an activity while also giving them the opportunity to ask questions and look for the answers. Instructions need to be very precise yet easy to understand. By using hands-on lessons and creative play, they lay the foundation for future learning. Different shapes and colours are taught, as well as how to recognize different letters of the alphabet, and basic numbers - at least one through ten. This prepares children for grade one and further grades in elementary school, where they learn advanced concepts within these areas. They report to parents the areas in which their child is succeeding as well as where the child could use more help. If a child has developmental or emotional problems, kindergarten teachers should be able to recognize this and help the parents put together a plan of action to ensure their child is given the same educational opportunities as other children. Kindergarten Teachers are some of the most important teachers children will ever meet during their academic careers. These teachers build a firm foundation for future learning. Students' opinions and perceptions of school are shaped by what they experience during their first years of school. A kindergarten teacher must serve as educator, surrogate parent and psychologist in order to mold students who are well-adjusted and eager to learn.