The resulting rise in screen time for students of all ages is one of the primary grievances with the shift to online mode of education. This worry is made worse for preschool teachers by the difficulties of teaching 3- and 4-year-olds online and, in turn, for teachers searching for different ways to teach these preschoolers. Therefore, the following are the ways to teach preschoolers efficiently and productively.
1. Invite Families To Participate
Having their parents, siblings, or other caregivers around will make the virtual experience operate more smoothly, especially for toddlers and younger preschoolers. Participating families also contribute to preserving a feeling of community in your programme or classroom.
Invite parents to participate in various co-curriculum activities, such as a brief story time or a brief music and dance session. Parents will value social interaction just as much as their children because everyone still spends most of their time alone.
2. Children Have The Exact Needs When Learning On A Computer As They Do In A Classroom
If you were teaching toddlers in a school, you wouldn’t make them sit and listen to you talk for the entire day, right? You would enjoy free play in the classroom, outdoor play, and sleep time. A writing center to foster creativity, up-and-moving activities, sensory bins to investigate and object manipulation training would all be included. Because they are developmentally appropriate, several items are staples in early childhood education. Because they are developmentally appropriate, several items are staples in early childhood education.
Just because your students speak to you through a screen doesn’t mean that their cognitive development needs or stage have altered. Just because your students talk to you through a screen doesn’t mean that their mental development needs or stage have altered. Teaching a preschool lesson where the students were required to remain in one place for six hours with only 30 minutes for lunch is something you would never consider doing. Be considerate of this and arrange your day as necessary. When it comes to online classes, sometimes less really is more.
3. Allow Kids To Lead The Way
We must allow kids to take the lead in a virtual environment, just like in a traditional classroom. Find out what the kids have been up to at home by asking them about the games or activities they enjoy. If your kids have been having fun at the beach, you might want to read a few stories about the sea or its inhabitants. Make some of your ideas for virtual meetings informed by this information.
You may also experiment with a few other virtual activities in your sessions to see which ones the kids prefer. Use that observation to inform your plans for your next meeting if you observe that kids tend to be more interested in music and movement during virtual meetings but less so in other activities. We can design interesting learning experiences by paying attention to the children’s cues.
4. Use Songs And Music
Children’s songs are a terrific way to encourage participation and interest in virtual meetings. You can sing along with them. Consider including some of the tunes you’ve used for transitions, morning meetings, or just for fun when you’re in person.
5. Include Well-Known Objects, Pastimes, And Classroom Favorites
Bring popular books or activities encourage curiosity in children into your virtual sessions to help kids stay engaged in the classroom. Consider the games kids truly like playing and can be converted to be played electronically. Share any plants the kids in your class are growing in a virtual conference so the kids may see how they are developing (if you have access to them). This will support children’s sense of routine and connection to their school.
Conclusion
So, the ways mentioned above are the ones which can assist educators in teaching preschoolers easily. Therefore, you must include these mechanisms to make it easy for both preschoolers and teachers.