Gifts for Preschool Teachers

Hugs, Band-Aids and Endless Patience

Preschool and daycare teachers are often the first grown-ups outside the family that a child truly trusts. They kiss scraped knees, sing the same song for the twentieth time and somehow know which kid needs a little extra attention today. Our designs say thank you for all of that with heart, a dash of glorious-chaos humor and a lot of respect. They're for early childhood educators themselves and for parents and kids looking for a special gift at the end of the year or on a birthday.

The best version of this gift includes the kids. Add a crayon drawing, a few fingerprints on the card or a sentence dictated by a four-year-old, and you've got something that will be kept forever. Choose a line that celebrates the work rather than just joking about the noise level. Since the job involves a lot of crafts, kneeling and outdoor play, sturdy darker or bold colors are practical, and a relaxed fit leaves room to move. Many parent groups also go with a mug for the staff room: no size guessing, and it gets used every single break.