[nia]

Giving your children choices during table activity times. Setting up stations like having one table being an art project, another table have students tracing their names, another table could be play-doe. This could give you ideas of what your students enjoy doing. Making up creative games for the kids to play together! Doing group projects will make the kids get to know each other and how they solve problems together.

[Emma Rose]

I think that excitement is contagious. And that doing things with excitement is likely to get others interested in the things that you are doing. I think asking children questions about what they are doing and why will also help them think critically and help them better express themselves. It also means a lot to know that you care about what they are doing and in turn care about them.

[Jordan]

Depending on the different age groups, getting students to engage in meaningful learning is first boiled down to the social/emotional stages of the kiddos. First observe where the classroom is at and curate the curriculum based off that.

Tools such as songs, circle time, individual one on one during group projects, ect can all be useful tools to engage students.

[Abby Grayson]

We can engage children with hands on learning activities, educational games, outdoor exploration, and story telling.

[Trainer]

Abby, your suggestions are excellent for engaging children in active, meaningful learning experiences. Great ideas!

[Will]

An incredibly important aspect of getting children to stick with something is to allow them some independence and/or input. They feel very engaged in the things they’re interested in, so it’s important to listen to them. Take turns trying everyone’s interest, and someone may find out they like something new. It’s also important for them to understand classroom expectations and have a not-terrible rapport with one another.

[Trainer]

Will, your insights on providing children with independence and listening to their interests are spot on for engaging them in meaningful learning. Encouraging exploration and setting classroom expectations are also crucial. Great points!

[Emily]

engage with them while the play and follow their lead of what lessons or play to do. giving them the option to choose can help with their engagment.

[Leidy Romero]

Among the creative ways to get children to participate is that as a caregiver I must know each child, since each child is motivated by different things, and for that I must have different activities available so that the children can choose the activity with which they but they feel identified or comfortable, in this way they can begin to rotate through the different spaces of the classroom as their interest begins to grow.

[Trainer]

Leidy, understanding children’s individual motivations and providing varied activities is a great way to engage them in learning.

[Kevaughn]

after the current days activity, discuss what activity will be happening tomorrow.

[Acacia]

Engage with the children by asking them questions while they’re doing activities, get down on their level and get to know the child. Encourage the child to participate in circle time and encourage them to engage with the other children.

[Lizeth]

Engaging children in active, meaningful learning is key to promoting their curiosity, creativity, and overall development. Here are some creative ways to get children excited about learning:

Hands-On Science Experiments

Outdoor Learning Adventures

Interactive Storytelling

Artistic Expression

Music and Movement

Thematic Dramatic Play

Educational Games

Cooking and Nutrition Activities

Building and Construction

STEM Challenges

Create STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) challenges that involve problem-solving and critical thinking. For example, building a bridge with household materials or designing a paper airplane for distance.

Story Starters and Writing Adventures

Inquiry-Based Learning

Outdoor Science Labs

Interactive Technology Tools

[Olivia Johnson]

Asking a child about their interests and finding other children who have similar ones and building off that can help them engage with each other but also make those pathways to figuring out new things. For example food, or games.

[Raagini]

Encourage them to think critically by asking questions that require in depth answers. Always have a positive attitude towards children’s inquisitiveness. Engage children’s interests in learning by framing questions and activities in terms of things they think of as positive (i.e. associating alphabet letters with fun things like animals and candy)

[morgan hossler]

Being involved with whatever the child are doing is a great way to keep them engaged. Whether it’s acting out whatever you’re talking about, or doing pieces of a craft with them, showing the children your own excitement can help them become more involved in the activity as well. Having them say ideas about the topics, using them as examples, giving them small tasks to assist each other are also other ideas to help engage the children.

[Anna]

Some creative ways to get children engaged in active, meaningful learning include asking open ended questions that force them to create a more in depth response than a simple “yes” or “no”. Questions such as “how was your morning?” and “What are some things that make you happy?” will serve to engage the child and make them think before responding. Another creative way to get them engaged is to do hands on learning, such as using playdough to construct various shapes to refine their motor skills and shape recognition.

[Jessica Kenny]

Move beyond the yes/no question and ask things that require a response. Try to ask things that will satisfy the 5 senses. I have found it helpful to use examples from the child’s own life to make it more meaningful.