Latest / The Teacher's Lounge For Early Education / How to Talk to Preschool Aged Children
Transcript
- How to talk to a Preschool aged child [00:00:00] Hello and welcome to the Teacher's Lounge. On this week's podcast, we're going to be talking about how to talk to a preschool aged child. Preschool aged children are full of curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm. They are at a stage of development where their brains are sponges, ready to absorb new information and ideas. It's important for early childhood educators to know how to facilitate learning, while also engaging in connecting with preschoolers in a meaningful way.. Let's explore some tips for doing just that. Think about your first few days and working in this new classroom. Here are all these inquisitive little children gathering around you and you just aren't sure what to do next. What do I ask them? How do I get them to listen to me? And the list can go on and on. Don't worry. That's where we come in. In this podcast, we'll highlight the key areas on how to talk to and engage the preschoolers you're working with. [00:01:00] When it comes to talking to a preschool aged child, it can be a challenging task, but it is also an important one as it helps to establish a foundation for communication. and social development. A child's ability to communicate effectively is crucial for their overall development and success in life. Therefore, as parents, caregivers and educators, it is essential to understand how to talk to preschool aged children. Number one, speak in simple and clear language. Use simple words in short sentences that are easy for the child to understand. Avoid using complex vocabulary or abstract concepts can be confusing for a young child. It's important to keep in mind that a preschool-aged child is still in the process of developing their language skills, so using simple language will help them to understand what you are saying. Number two, use gestures and facial expressions to help convey your message. [00:02:00] Children at this age are still learning to understand language, so visual cues can be very helpful in helping them to understand what you are saying. For example, when you were talking about going outside to play, point to the door and make a gesture of going out. Number three, ask open-ended questions. Encourage the child to think and express themselves by asking open-ended questions.. For example , , instead of asking, did you have fun at school today? Ask, what did you do at school today? This way, the child will be more inclined to express themselves and share their experiences. Number four, listen actively. Give the child your full attention when they are speaking and respond to what they are saying. Show interest in what they have to say and ask follow up questions to keep the conversation going. This will help the child to feel valued and heard. Number five, use repetition. [00:03:00] Repetition is an effective tool for helping young children learn new words and concepts. Repeat keyword words and phrases to help the child learn and remember them. For example, if the child is learning a new word like butterfly, you can repeat the word a few times throughout the conversation." Yes, Missy. I see the butterfly too. See how the butterfly is flapping its wings. What a pretty butterfly. " Number six, encourage the child to express their thoughts and feelings.. This will help them to develop their communication skills and build their self-esteem. For example, if the child is feeling sad, encourage them to express why they are feeling that way. Number seven, be patient and understanding. Children at this age are still learning how to communicate effectively, so be patient with them and avoid getting frustrated if they struggle to express themselves. Remember that communication is a process and it takes time and [00:04:00] practice for a child to develop their language skills. Karen had been working with our four year old group for about a month, and as time passed, she communicated to the classroom lead teacher that she felt the children just don't listen to me, especially when I'm asking them to clean up. The lead teacher offered her the suggestion of trying not to talk over the group and getting their attention before giving them the directions. Set a timer, sing a song, clap your hands to a simple rhythm. Then once they're focused on you, explain what you need them to do and what they'll be going to do next. Here's an example. "We're going to start cleaning up and we'll be ready to go outside.: Karen took these suggestions and started using them immediately. What a difference it made, and Karen felt so success. In conclusion, effective communication with a [00:05:00] preschool aged child is crucial for their overall development and success in life. When following these tips, parents, caregivers, and educators can establish a positive and productive communication with a preschool aged child. It will take time and practice, but with patience and understanding, we can help the child develop the communication skills they need to succeed in the future. Talking with preschoolers requires a lot of intentionality. They're absorbing everything in their environment. It can be hard for them to focus. Using the suggestions that we have offered can help you feel more comfortable connecting with them and creating effective communication.