Preschool-aged children learn many lessons during whole-group gatherings. Watch this video and look for examples of ways the children are learning through play and their own self-discovery about the following concepts and skills:
- self-regulation–being able to control impulses
- vocabulary development
- classifying
- question techniques
- shapes
- numeracy
- what else do you notice?
The teachers bravely introduce a new game to the children, knowing that for some of them, it will be a stretch. What are some of the strengths of the teachers you are observing?
Here are some of our reflections:
- The children may have played “Guess Who,” the board game where children have to use yes-or-no questions to figure out a person that the other player is trying to get them to guess. The teachers could have had that as an activity during choice time or could have used that game at an earlier circle time to practice the skills needed for this activity.
- Notice the way the teachers work together, respectfully changing their activity and/or explanations to meet the needs of the children.
- Notice the way the teachers specifically gave instructions–“Keep it in your mouth.” Telling what TO do rather than using “Don’t” provides more information. Listen for the times the teacher says “Don’t…” and reword her statement telling the child what TO do.
- Notice that the teachers pointed out that the goal was to keep the name of the animal a secret but there was no reprimand or punishment for the child still developing self-regulation skills.
This activity helps children learn about asking and answering questions. While the teachers wanted children to ask yes-or-no questions, they accepted the work of the child and her question, “What shape are the ears?” No need to make a teachable moment here–the children are learning from their own experiences or conceptual understandings.
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