Experts study curriculum, learning styles, teaching strategies and development, but how many of them actually go to the source to determine what they know; what they want to learn; how they learn. . ? How can we know what to teach a child or how to teach a child, if we do not first understand the child? It is important that parents and teachers understand how to capture a child’s interest and build on their existing knowledge of things in the world. Children are curious by nature. They want to know why, what, where, when and how about everything around them but how can we tap into all those individual interests to enrich this natural curiosity? One way is to let the child pose the questions on a specific topic that interest them or observe the manner in which they study, experiment or explore with objects. Take the child’s interests from discussions, questions, and observations and build activities around the child’s natural inquisitions. Use their natural curiosity to develop activities that will allow them to enrich, explore and learn about the things building upon the knowledge they already possess. Sometimes taking the opportunity to discuss a topic that a child brings up will spark extra interest. It “Wow’s them”! They become more absorbed in the learning process because they have ownership in the discussion. Be prepared to adapt activities to children’s individual interests and expand learning activities at home as well as in the classroom naturally encouraging a child to not only learn new concepts, vocabulary and skills but to apply them in play. When you take the child’s interests and build on them, you’ll find they are more engaged in meaningful learning activities with fewer discipline problems because they are truly interested in what they are learning. It is also important to remember to change out materials, toys and equipment supporting the concept allowing a child to have a seamless learning experience in which they play an integral role in the learning process. This basic idea of learning using the inquisitive nature of a child as a guide can be apply to all developmental levels and topics. It will keep children engaged while allowing a natural development of critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving skills with a natural growth in all developmental domains.
Here are some simple steps that you can apply to most any concept~
1. Bring in an object (preferably the real thing not a replica if at all possible)
2. Have the children examine it and talk about it. At this time, listen to what they say and build on it; create activities, lessons, projects or trips around their discussion or questions. Be aware that children may take the discussion in a completely different direction than you may have thought.
3. Expand on their discussions introducing new vocabulary and adding interest activities based on your observations and the discussion. Be prepared to answer questions.
4. Allow the children to apply their new knowledge and curiosity through activities that will enrich the concept, encourage exploration on the concept and help them learn by expanding the topic through activities in all developmental domains (emergent literacy, math, art, science, dramatic play, etc.). Take pictures along the way documenting their journey
5. Review and reflect at the end of unit or journey. Share picture; create a class book; review vocabulary on word walls; etc. It’s important to summarize learning and make sure the child completed their journey fulfilling their curiosity for the concept at this time. Class or individual books documenting the learning journey are great for children because they will go back and review them over and over again especially if there are photos of them or they created pictures in the book
I am interested to see if you liked this method of learning. I find it intriguing and I know children will blossom when they learn in this way. Please send me your comments.
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