Skip to main content

Taking Turns - FAS M/W/F AM Class

As the first month of preschool closes we are getting to know each other more and more every day. It is so exciting for us to see each personality shine through while the children participate in creative play, art, and circle time.  

Some children are more vocal than others when it comes to expressing their likes, dislikes, interests, and passions. In order for us teachers to learn more about the children and for the children to learn more about each other, we will often ask questions at circle time such as, "what is your favorite colour?" or "what did you do this weekend?". We will then go around the circle letting each child share their answers. However, many times the children are so excited to share their thoughts that a lot of over talking occurs or thoughts get lost in all of the commotion.  

In order to ensure that each thought gets heard we decided to make a "talking stick". The talking stick encourages children to listen when it is not their turn to speak. It is a visual reminder to practice patience until it's their turn to share.


So far we have found the talking stick to be a success! The talking stick has worked so well that a few students have even reminded us teachers to wait until we have the stick back to speak. The talking stick has helped to create so many special moments already and I can't wait to experience more!

Until next time
Jordan

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Social Responsibility: Down to the Core

Social responsibility- a term that has now become quite common in the field of education and has the potential to lose its meaning if we are not careful. As an early childhood educator, I have always placed great importance on the need to develop this way of thinking in young children. It is for this reason that we engage in activities that benefit others, such as volunteering at our local food bank, adopting an owl, or raising money for Variety Club. With the recent catastrophe in the Philippines, my mind was suddenly thrown into its own typhoon. I found myself asking questions around social responsibility and what it really means. What does it mean to me? What does it mean to my preschoolers? How far does it extend into the world around us? Can four year old children grasp these deep and complex concepts? What can they understand about their world? How can we teach them about being socially responsible to: ones self; ones family; ones community; ones province; ones country; ones worl...
6 comments
Read more
On Monday, we became adopted parents of a dwarf frog. It was given to us by an alumni parent whose daughter no longer wanted it and I suppose she thought I was a vulnerable victim (clearly she was right!) and I said "Yes, we would love it,". Well, there is truth in that because the children already love this little creature. The Junior OSC children made Do Not Touch signs posted near the mini aquarium and our preschoolers made the frog pictures today and wanted to shower him/her with gifts. On Monday I asked them to go home and think about a name for the frog and bring their suggestion back to class on Wednesday. So, this morning we compiled our potential name list, with the understanding that we would be voting on the name. The name suggestions were as follows: Cynna: Badgie Colin: Jack Brooke: Flower Kayla: Froggie Luca: Penguin ( NOT Penguino) Alexa: Flower Bryn: Froggie Cole: Froggie Emily: Ella Zev: Spot Chloe: Eric Cash: Benji Wayne: Jackie The big vote ...
2 comments
Read more