Most preschoolers are eager to learn and engage with their surroundings, but for some, this process can be more difficult. If your child is struggling to engage with their preschool classmates or exhibits low interest in learning, don’t worry – there are ways you can help! In this blog post, we will discuss eight ways that you can start improving engagement with struggling preschoolers. Keep reading for helpful tips that will get your child excited about learning!
Why comfort affects engagement in children:
When working with struggling preschoolers, it is important to remember that comfort and security are key elements for successful engagement. As preschoolers navigate their new environment, they often feel uncertain about their social and physical capabilities. Therefore, providing a safe space for children can have a dramatic impact on how comfortable they are when engaging with other students and teachers in the classroom.
Creating an inviting atmosphere can also encourage better communication between the student and teacher. This type of open dialogue allows for more effective problem-solving and, ultimately, more productive interactions with the child in question. Furthermore, developing strong relationships between preschoolers and teachers is essential to long-term engagement success in the classroom.
Creating more structure:
Struggling preschoolers often need more structure in their day-to-day activities. This doesn’t mean taking away all of their independence but instead creating a plan for the day that is both beneficial and enticing for them to follow. Creating a daily schedule with visuals can help provide visual cues as to what comes next in the day, furthering their understanding. You can also create an incentive system or games that reward the child for completing tasks or staying on task. In some cases, it may even be helpful to break down large tasks into smaller ones and tackle them simultaneously.
This will help your preschooler gain confidence in their abilities, as well as understand the importance of completing tasks. It also teaches them to make connections between their actions and consequences, allowing them to better understand how activities work in the classroom.
Encouraging active learning:
Another way to improve engagement with struggling preschoolers is by promoting active learning. Active learning involves using a range of interactive activities and materials to help children learn. These activities allow preschoolers to explore their environment, practice communication, and problem-solving skills, and develop social skills.
Examples of active learning include role-playing, block-building, art projects, outdoor exploration activities, and pretend play. These activities foster curiosity in preschoolers who may otherwise lack the motivation to engage in traditional classroom exercises or tasks.
When introducing active learning into the classroom, it is important to remember that all children have different interests and abilities. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that the activities provided are appropriate for each student’s needs. In addition, providing support and guidance during these activities can help struggling preschoolers feel more confident in their learning and make it easier for them to engage.
In addition to providing individualized support and guidance during active learning activities, it is important to ensure that the materials and supplies used are age-appropriate and safe. This includes making sure that any items such as glue and scissors are kept out of reach from younger children.
Incorporate anticipatory set ideas:
Anticipatory set activities are mini-lessons with an intro to the upcoming lesson. They’re designed to increase student engagement and get them excited about what’s coming next. Examples of Anticipatory Set Ideas include having a “guess what we’ll be learning today” game, introducing an interactive storybook about the theme of the day, or playing a song related to the upcoming topic. Using anticipatory sets will help preschoolers become familiar with the material in a fun and exciting way, which can help engage even those struggling students who have difficulty focusing on the task at hand.
Break tasks into smaller chunks:
Struggling preschoolers may find it difficult to stay engaged when they are presented with a large, complex task. To help foster better engagement, consider breaking large tasks into smaller pieces that are easier to manage. This can include breaking down a science lesson into small lessons on different topics or dividing an art project into multiple steps over several days. Doing so can make the tasks more manageable for preschoolers who may have difficulty focusing on a single task for too long.
Provide visual reminders:
Visual reminders can be extremely helpful for preschoolers who are struggling to stay engaged in their learning. Visuals can help them understand the concepts they’re working on better, providing a clearer understanding of the material. Visuals also make it easier to review and remember the content. For example, if you’re teaching counting skills, provide visuals that show numbers matched up with objects or symbols representing each number. These images will remind your students of what they’ve learned while making it much easier to keep track of their progress. This will also help struggling preschoolers stay focused on the task at hand rather than getting distracted by unrelated activities.
Increase student’s choices:
Research has shown that providing students with more choices can help them stay engaged in their learning. Providing preschoolers with a choice of activities or materials can help them feel more involved in their education and give them a sense of ownership over their progress. To ensure that all students can participate, make sure that there are activities available for different skill levels. This way, students who may be struggling with a particular concept can choose an activity at their own level while still feeling like they have some control over their learning process.
Use technology:
Technology can be a great way to engage struggling preschoolers in their learning. Technology can provide an interactive and engaging environment for kids, allowing them to explore new concepts on their own terms. For example, using tablets or computers for educational games or apps can help simplify complex concepts and make it easier for students to understand them better. Additionally, there are many online resources available that are designed specifically for preschoolers and include interactive activities, videos, and stories that are sure to engage your little learners.
Engaging struggling preschoolers in their learning can be challenging, but with these eight tips, you should have no problem helping your students stay focused and engaged during class time. Remember that providing individualized support and guidance when needed is key to ensuring that each student is able to reach their full potential. With the right strategies in place, even struggling preschoolers can start making progress and developing important skills that will set them up for success in school and beyond.