T eaching the A cquisition of L anguage in K indergarten “Kindergarten is like the ocean. You don't want to turn your back on it.” Kindergarten Cop Welcome to

Purpose

Collaboratively inquire into the ways we provide inclusive and responsive learning opportunities for all of our language learners.

ESTABLISHING SHARED UNDERSTANDINGS Second Language Acquisition Early Learning Pedagogy & Full Day Kindergarten

CONSIDERING OUR CONTEXT 2 nd Language Learners 1 st Language Learners Kindergarte n Students

Early Learning Fundamentals: Young children: Are capable and full of potential Have complex identities, grounded in individual strengths and capacities Take nourishment from families and communities, their language and culture Need to belong and contribute Image of the Child

Early Learning Fundamentals: Playful Learning FDK = More time for play based exploration and inquiry. 1. Child Initiated Play 2. Teacher Initiated Play and Activities FDK Guide

Intrinsic Value of Play Creativity Self-regulation Independence Problem Solving Social Skills

Transformative Value of Play

Extrinsic Value of Play: Consolidation and Extension In playing, children express, explore, combine, and extend what they have learned… …. they bring together everything they have learned and are wondering about. British Columbia Early Learning Framework, 2008

The Value of Child Initiated Play IntrinsicExtrinsic

Early Learning Fundamentals: Teacher Role Knowledge of Each Child Open Ended Activities Interactions Adults and Peers Programs are: Intentional planned, child-centred, inclusive, adult guided Relational Responsive Inclusive

Teaching Goals  Environment Children need opportunities to play with ideas and materials from our lessons We need to teach skills, language, and processes so that all children can access the learning opportunities provided in the environment Early Learning Fundamentals: Value of Play

Early Learning Fundamentals: Goals  Environment Intentional Responsive Inclusive TEACHER

Biological Basis of Learning

Connections = Learning Video: How Neurons Work by cosmiccontinuum

Birth to 3 years A Quadrillion Connections Created

Connections that are Used Get Stronger Video: How We Learn - Synapses and Neural Pathways by Streetwisdom Billy

3 Years Old to 10 Years Old Unused connections are pruned

Neuroplasticity: Neurons That Fire Together Wire Together Continues throughout life

Rich Hands on and Sensory experiences foster brain development Promote awareness and problem solving Create rich neural Networks (enriched environments increase dendritic branching) Take advantage of how the brain works

When Learning We: Use established neural networks Strengthen existing neural networks Expand our neural networks