[Sydney]

Cater to their interests and let them think for themselves by guiding their questions and learning instead of giving them all the answers. By catering to their interests and guiding their learning, it allows every child to build a sense of self and feel included by their peers and teachers, not to mention it also keeps their interest.

[Tenlee]

What are some creative ways to get children engaged in active, meaningful learning?

Involving the children in circle time or reading time, Asking them question about what they are drawing or about what they see in the picture in the book they may be reading.

[Sydney Weinberger]

Create special activities to do in a center. For example, some ways I used to keep children excited for free play in centers, I would turn the dramatic play kitchen area into a pizza shop or starbucks for a week so that children were seeing new toys and still engaged with the center because it can get to be not exciting for children to have the same stuff all of the time.

[Trainer]

Great idea, Sydney! Creating themed centers can keep children engaged and excited for learning.

[Jodi Lacer]

I would have the children tell me what they like and don’t like. From there I would create activities that go with what they are learning at the time. I would start small and then grow from there.

[Trainer]

Great approach, Jodi! Tailoring activities to children’s interests fosters engagement and meaningful learning. Keep building on their preferences.

[Sanayah]

I think if we meet children where they are developmentally, it helps us create ways to get children engaged. I also think that through observation and knowing what the children are interested in, it can help provide a pathway for meaningful learning.

[Anna]

Some of the creative ways you can engage with children through activities and questions would first observe them, and what interests them, sit with them and ask them provoking questions that stray away from simple “yes” or “no” answers. Maybe while you’re asking questions, do activities based on the lessons plans for the day. For example, if in the lesson plan there is a math lesson, when you sit with a child, maybe do something like counting blocks. On the other hand, you could do some “serve and return” activities, such as playing with cars and interacting/following along to what they are doing, making sure to stay connected to the child and their interest.

[Emma]

You can make clean up and finding missing pieces to equipment into its own game/activity. At my child care, we also make lost and found time a “guess who” sort of recognition game and get the group to identify who each item belongs to as teachers don’t always remember. Accessible and colorful work on low shelves also go a long way.

[Trainer]

Great ideas, Emma! Turning clean up into a game and using colorful, accessible materials are engaging strategies.

[Laysha DeDios]

Every child has different likings, I think to get a child to engage, you’d have to provide multiple things that are a.) interesting and eye catching, and b.) allow the child multiple ways of completing it. Adding activities to lesson time, learning new songs and books makes new learning fun! Enforcing a safe space zone for the children will allow them to open enough to participate.

[Tania Flores]

<b style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>Use simple tools like games, puzzles, or other hands-on activities to help students develop their reasoning and analytical skills. Teachers may also use art, music, and drama to make learning more engaging and interactive

[Trainer]

Tania’s suggestions are excellent, using hands-on activities, art, and music to engage children in active learning.

[Logan]

A creative way to get children engaged is when playing in the play kitchen, asking them what they are cooking, playing along and asking them to make me something, suggesting ideas on what they should make, asking if they are using the oven or the microwave. Possibly even making them ‘recipe cards’ to follow with play food.

[Marieke Reuamann]

many children have their own special interest, that they develop overtime, and often at home. Incorporating those interest is a very good way to get students engaged. If students are interested in monster trucks, you can incorporate trucks into a unit and discuss different parts of the trucks, use trucks when learning the ways of the road Carmel, or even using trucks when learning mathematics

[Autumn]

Ways to get children to engage in active, meaningful learning can be: Singing a song, dancing, playing with toys with the kids, providing learning activities at the table, playing instruments, being active with the kids while being outside.

[Trainer]

Autumn, your suggestions of singing, dancing, and outdoor activities are excellent ways to engage children in meaningful learning experiences. Great ideas!

[Tetiana Nix]

creative ways to get children engaged in active, meaningful learning Creative art Circle time, teaching them different cultures, different languages also involving them in dramatic play

[Trainer]

Great suggestions, Tetiana! Incorporating creative art, circle time, cultural learning, and dramatic play can engage children in meaningful learning experiences.

[Samantha Lucey]

I always say kids aren’t going to be interested in learning if you aren’t interesting enough to keep their focus. Keep it engaging and encouraging and keep it interactive.

[Liwen Huang]

Finding out the skills each child has and building activities to showcase each child’s strengths while building on the other children’s weaknesses

[Trainer]

Great suggestion, Liwen! Tailoring activities to showcase individual strengths fosters inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for all children.