Thursday, February 14, 2013

An Early Achievers Baker’s Dozen



Here are 13 things to practice daily with the children to elevate your teaching practice and prepare for your eventual assessment.


1.       Ask a child/children how they figured something out, what made them say that, think that, etc.  Get into their thinking process. (For toddlers, this might be asking more simple questions)
2.       Ask children to predict what is going to happen and compare things, make a chart or graph together (For toddlers, this might be pointing out what happens)
3.       Pay most of your attention to positive behaviors – what you want to see more of
4.       Have social conversations with open ended questions, learn about them and their life, and share yours, too.
5.       Read books – with large or small groups and with  individual children
6.       Sing and dance, use multicultural instruments and music
7.       Play WITH the children – indoors and out, get to all areas of the room, to each of the children
8.       Help a child figure something out – but let them figure it out, just give hints, then celebrate with them when they do figure it out
9.       Let child/ren take the lead and offer their ideas, acknowledge their ideas  (for toddlers, this might be building on what they are doing)
10.   Minimize waiting times, reduce large group transitions, maximize learning times
11.   Point out things in nature, bring things from the outside into the classroom
12.   Surround children with language – interesting words defined, rhyming words, extended conversations
13.   Smile, laugh and show that you love what you do.

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