Teaching Young Children OBJECTIVE 3.02 Understand selection and use of teaching methods.

Teaching Young Children Part 1: Selecting Teaching Methods Ways Children Learn The Role of Play Materials A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Selecting Teaching Methods In order to select appropriate teaching methods, you need to know about The ways children learn The role of play materials Factors to consider when selecting toys and play materials A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

How do children learn? From the environment From a teacher From their experiences A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Learning from the environment Variety of manipulatives Interactive environment with opportunities to explore and experiment A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Learning from a teacher Provides positive reinforcement Is a good role model for children to imitate When a person shows someone else how to do something, this is called modeling. A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Learning from experiences Sensory elements Trial and error Learn from mistakes Address all areas of development A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

The Role of Play Materials

Play is the business of children.

Play “plays” a very important role in learning. Play = Learning Play “plays” a very important role in learning.

2 Types of Play Materials Open-ended --- can be used in a variety of ways, with no one correct way to play with them Closed-ended --- structured materials meant to be used in one way, with one intended outcome A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Can you think of examples of each? Open-ended Closed-ended Both types offer benefits for children. A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Benefits of Open-ended Materials for Children Develop independence Learn to make decisions Learn to solve problems Use their imagination A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Benefits of Closed-ended Materials for Children Learn to follow directions Develop sensory perception Help develop motor skills A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Factors to Consider When Selecting Toys & Play Materials Safety Rounded, smooth edges Nontoxic A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Factors to Consider When Selecting Toys & Play Materials Durability Easy to clean Appropriate for different ages Encourages cooperative play, not aggressive play A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Factors to Consider When Selecting Toys & Play Materials Number of children who can use at one time Storage space available A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Factors to Consider When Selecting Toys & Play Materials Multi-purpose Encourages active involvement, not passive observation A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Factors to Consider When Selecting Toys & Play Materials Teaches basic concepts Allows for sensory learning A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Factors to Consider When Selecting Toys & Play Materials Enjoyed by both boys and girls Fun to play with A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Young Children Part 2: Using Teaching Methods Planning Lessons A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Using Teaching Methods In order to use teaching methods effectively, you need to know about Planning lessons Teaching styles Teaching techniques A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Lesson Plan A detailed written explanation of a learning activity Like an architect prepares a blueprint so that the builder will know every detail about how the building should be built, and to guarantee that the building is physically sound and aesthetically pleasing; similarly, a teacher prepares a lesson plan with every detail about how the lesson is to be taught, which better ensures that the lesson will be effective and that children will participate and learn. The only difference is that . . . A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

The only difference is that the teacher is both the architect and the builder. A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Purposes of Lesson Plans Serves as an organizational tool Forces teachers to think ahead Enables teachers to think through what they want to do Provides time to gather needed materials Can be saved for future reference A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Results of Teaching without Lesson Plans??? Lessons flounder and fail Time wasted Children bored Materials not ready Things left out chaos A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Components of Lesson Plans Let’s look at each of these more closely. . . Target age group Topic or theme Purpose Concepts to be learned Skills to be developed Materials needed Procedures Questions Follow-up activities Evaluation A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Age or level of development of children Target Age Group Age or level of development of children Example: Three-year-olds A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Things to aim for and reach Targets Purpose of Lesson Stated as objectives Things to aim for and reach Targets Example: The learners will be able to (TLWBAT) recognize basic shapes. A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

What could be an objective for this learning activity? A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Concepts to Be Learned Skills to Be Developed List exactly the concepts and skills that will be learned/developed. Concept: Objects can be counted one at a time. Skill: Counting from 1 to 10 A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Concepts to Be Learned Skills to Be Developed List exactly the concepts and skills that will be learned/developed. What concepts and skills can be developed from playing dress-up? Concept? Skill? A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

List all materials needed State quantities (Example) Materials Needed 6 sets crayons 1 4-in. paper square per child 6 bottles white glue Yarn, assorted lengths, colors List all materials needed State quantities This serves as the teacher’s checklist for getting prepared. A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Procedures Outline steps for leading the activity Put them in correct sequence Be thorough (Example) Procedures: Have children sit in a circle. Introduction: Ask children to close their eyes and picture their most favorite food. Tell children that they are going to learn about foods that make their bodies strong and healthy. Read the first page of the book . . . A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Lessons usually include these lesson functions: Focus and review - an introduction to capture attention, focus on the topic, review Statement of objective – to state what children will learn Teacher input – to introduce new information Student guided practice – to give children a chance to use the new information Independent practice –to see how well children can do things on their own Closure - to summarize, bring the activity to an end Closure may include transition to the next activity... A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

“What happens if we push just one button at a time?” Example: “What happens if we push just one button at a time?” Questions To focus thinking and guide learning A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

To reinforce what was learned Follow-up Activities To reinforce what was learned To provide additional help for children who need it A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Example: “Next time I will remember to work with a smaller number of children at a time . . .” Evaluation To assess the effectiveness of the lesson Number of children who were successful Adaptations needed for different ability levels Ways to improve Would you use again? A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

A transition serves as a bridge . . . Short activities that guide children smoothly from one activity to another A transition serves as a bridge . . . A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Transition signals may be visual or auditory. A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

“Move to Circle Time like an elephant walking through the jungle. Transition Methods Move a few children at a time while others do another activity Sort children by colors of clothing worn (or other categories); move by groups Have children move as though they were specific animals A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Transition Methods Job Jar To start an activity, use a prop or something special to capture interest For clean-up transition, use a job board or a job jar Use choice time to let children decide the activity they wish to do next Job Jar A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Young Children Part 3: Using Teaching Methods Teaching Styles Teaching Techniques A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Styles The ways in which teachers conduct their classes Think about the ways in which some of YOUR teachers conduct their classes . . . Teaching Styles The ways in which teachers conduct their classes A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching style includes The teacher’s expectations about behavior The degree of structure in lessons The degree of spontaneity in lessons You know, spontaneous! Spontaneity is when the teacher follows her impulses, lets things happen naturally. What’s spontaneity? A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Factors Affecting Teaching Styles The teacher’s personality The teacher’s own learning style The teacher’s beliefs about teaching and learning A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Ways Children Respond to Teaching Styles One style is not necessarily better Children benefit from many different styles Sensitive teachers are aware of their own teaching styles Effective teachers know how to adapt their styles as needed A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Techniques A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Technique #1: Arrange the environment Provide adequate space Organize space so activity can be done safely and easily A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Technique #2: Set the stage Ready... Set... Use an opener to catch their attention Let children know what to expect Help children get into the right frame of mind Use a focus object – an item related to the activity that helps introduce it A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Technique #3: Handle play activities Serve as the facilitator, not the controller Help children get the most out of play Recognize teachable moments --- unplanned times when children are ready to learn A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Technique #4: Group children appropriately Factors to consider Number of children Age range Ability levels A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Methods of Grouping Chronological grouping – same age together Developmental grouping – same ability levels together Family grouping – same age range together Random grouping – grouping with no pattern in mind; each child has an equal chance to be in any group A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Advantages/Disadvantages of Grouping by Age or Ability Advantage: Easier to plan lessons Disadvantage: Children miss the opportunity to relate to children of other ages/abilities Can you think of other advantages or disadvantages? A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Advantages/Disadvantages of Family Grouping Advantage: Individual children have a greater chance of learning Advantage: Children have more opportunity to learn to relate with children of other ages Disadvantage: The range of developmental needs is challenging for teachers Can you think of other advantages or disadvantages? A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Conditions under which smaller groups are needed: When much personal attention is required When learning new skills When the activity is complex With younger children When children are prone to misbehave A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Technique #5: Use concrete objects Children understand best when they can see and touch Descriptive words sometimes have little meaning for young children A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Technique #6: Use open-ended questions Require more than a “yes” or “no” answer There is no right or wrong response Encourage children to express themselves Stimulate creativity and language development A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

Teaching Technique #7: Use other techniques effectively. Visuals can reinforce learning Props can capture attention and add variety A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods

That’s all for now! A- 3.02 - Teaching Methods