Best Teaching Methods - Kindergarten
Be Understanding With Young Children
Remember that one of the best teaching methods is to be flexible and understanding with young children. Learning won't happen if children are overtired, hungry, upset or worried. Check with them if they are having a difficult time.
Inexperienced teachers often misinterpret a child's unwillingness to participate as stubbornness or bad behavior. Often children do not have the vocabulary to express themselves. It works well to use reflective listening and help the child verbalize what is upsetting them. If a child is hungry, it is easier to let him/her eat part of their lunch early, than to try and force the child to concentrate on a task.
Sometimes children work well in groups and this helps them learn to share and develop ideas. At other times they just need to be alone with ample time to figure things out. Relax and have fun!
Motivated children pay attention
One of the great things about this age group is that they are generally motivated to learn about everything. Unless children have often been made fun of when investigating or presenting their knowledge, they usually have a strong desire to find out and share information. Most kindergarten-aged children have experienced success in learning, which motivates them to continue learning.
One of the best teaching methods is to motivate children by modeling enthusiasm and curiosity. Motivation comes from within (intrinsic) and from outside (extrinsic). My experiences have led me to believe that intrinsic motivation is the way to go. Making too much of any one child can result in a competitive attitude in the class. Keep internal motivation high by modeling curiosity about the topics studied.
Reinforce thinking processes rather than praising the child. Try, “That is an interesting way that you sorted your blocks. Tell me what you were thinking." Then, "Sarah sorted her blocks in a different way. Both ways of sorting are interesting."
Children benefit by describing what they learn
Communicating new knowledge to patient adults helps solidify concepts. I say patient, as it often takes children time to find the correct words to explain their thinking. Another best teaching practice is to supply kindergarten children with descriptive words as they are playing or working. This extends their vocabulary and strengthens their ability to share their knowledge.
Children Need to be Active
If kindergarten students have been sitting still too long, they will let you know it’s time to move. Even well-planned, interesting lessons fail if the children need a break.
Taking lots of breaks throughout the day was one of my best teaching practices. Going for walks around the school, jumping up and down or doing anything to get the blood pumping around resulted in good circulation and more alert students.
Springboard Active Learning is a tutoring center in Victoria, B.C. Canada, that understands the importance of activity as it relates to learning. Children sit on exercise balls as they work, wiggle around and bounce as much as they need to and have movement breaks as they learn new or review concepts.
Summary
Maintain a classroom atmosphere of warmth and acceptance. When kids know they are loved and accepted, when they know you are willing to help them, they relax and learn.
Keep a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around you and your students will imitate your behavior. For some kindergarten children, your classroom will be one of the few places where their opinions and ideas have been valued. Model the behaviors you want your students to adopt.
Kindergarten TeachingPage 1: Understand how young children learn.
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