[Ellie]

Pay attention to the ways that a student best communicates or “comes alive”. Talk to them about their interests, and ask them questions. If a child is shy and has trouble connecting with other kids, first get them comfortable with talking and playing with you, and then invite other students to ask questions and play along with them.

[Maya]

These are always my favorite kind of questions I love to engage my children in meaningful learning by playing fun games with them. For example in the language area we have our sandpaper letters. We do a game called knock knock who’s there where you knock on the card and then you flip it over and they have to guess what letter that is or the sound. Then we do please find F. Good please put F on your head. Then they would put F on their head. Then I would say where is S. Then they would point to the letter S. I would say please go give as to Maya. Then that child would give it to that person. It is just a fun way for them to learn but also have fun playing a little game where they do not have to just sit and listen and point to stuff they can actually get up and move and do stuff and have fun.

[Scion]

I think a potentially powerful way to get children engaged in meaningful learning is finding a means that is relevant and accessible for all of them, something that as many of them as possible are interested in or have prior knowledge about, whatever the capacity it is in. I like the idea of involving them all in a song or dance that they all know that we can all sing and dance to, or perhaps reading a book together or going on a walk together and asking simple, open-ended questions about what’s going on and/or what we’re observing as we go along.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  Scion.

[melissa]

Every child is different so you must see what there all into. Be patient with them and then you can show them new things to expand what they like.

[maria]

Create the material that they are interested in. For example if the child comes to school with a dinosaur shirt everyday plus has a dinosaur backpack then maybe have some dinosaur books and materials in the classroom. That way the child is interested an can be learning about land forms and the earth and universe and even weather. If the conversation moves toward meteors the you can include some space facts and talk about how chaotic outer space really is.

[sadie]

Ask meaningful questions to encourage conversation about a topic instead of just providing the facts.

[Kaitlyn]

A huge piece of working with youth, no matter the age, is to really pay attention and understand the interests and abilities of each child. Not every child will behave or respond to a specific activity. It is so important that we take their interests into consideration. For me, it is all about trial and error. Seeing what works and what doesn’t. Taking in and paying attention to the end result of a lesson, really helps me reflect and figure out what I can do differently. This can allow us as teachers to deep dive into the creativity side of planning and creating different activities and lesson plans that shine on each child’s interests. Incorporating different music, books, crafts etc. It can relate to what we are teaching, but also accommodating to a child’s interest. Although we may have a certain way of running an activity, it doesn’t mean it is always going to work in the way that we hoped. Trying something NEW is okay!

[Brienne]

-Give activities that will allow self-monitor, to engage in more participation

-Make it fun, use sand, markers, paint ,water

[Hannah]

I would personally make my lessons hands-on if possible because I know that children are more engaged when they are physically seeing and touching objects. For example, if I was teaching children different shapes I would bring in squishy shapes that they can touch and feel while they are learning. I would also want to learn how each child learns (audibly, kinesthetically, or visually) so that I can accommodate lessons to their learning style.

[Matthew]

Asking open-ended questions that avoid simple answers can help bring out creative answers from the children. Making sure everyone is included, asking not just one student but the whole class or multiple students.

[Taylar]

Creative ways include figuring out what the children are interested in and incorporate that into the curriculum. You may also include independence.

[Rebekah]

Some creative ways to get children engaged could be by providing dolls that reflect cultural groups, dress-up clothes, plastic and realistic animals, cars, and people. Mirrors, instruments, and art supplies are also great materials. For intellectual, language, and sensory development, I could provide shapes/color sorting toys, board books, music tapes, and puzzles. For large and small motor development, I can provide push toys, a soft climbing area, oversized balls, stacking toys, a water table, and a sandbox. In an outdoor environment, you must have a decent amount of space and good supervision, maintenance, and injury protection & prevention.

[Alexis]

There are different ways to help children get engaged in their environment. One way that can help children engage in the learning environment is by having materials at their level for easy access. This helps them see what is available and might interest them. Something else that can help children become interested is by asking them questions. If a child is looking at a toy or playing with something asking questions can help them become more interested and encouraging play. From my own experience something that often helps engage children is allowing you to help with picking out toys and activities for the day.

[Jayleen]

Have many materials and options available. Allow the child to pick the activity that interests them. While playing with them ask many open ended questions.

[eric]

keeping children engaged is a matter of keeping the projects fun and interesting. Flexible so it meets all needs and knowing when to scrap the whole project if kids are not interested