[Deseray Vazquez]

What are some creative ways to get children engaged in active, meaningful learning? By using songs to help transition to one activity to the next. Making activities into games, giving children options, and letting them collaborate.

[Jennifer]

I feel like allowing the children to participate is one of the best ways to get children engaged and interested. When I am cooking at home, my preschooler is super interested in what i’m doing and I allow her to help me cut veggies. She will usually try a piece when we are done because she is proud that she was involved.

Learning the likes and dislikes of the students will be helpful getting children engaged. Maybe you could read a book and then use playdough to create the main character, or paint a scene from the book.

[Jamie]

Great ideas, thank you.

[Kelly]

Make the activity hands on and you also be excited about the activity cause if you are excited then they will be excited.

[Maria ramos Henriquez]

Creo que es importante comenzar donde está el niño y tomarse el tiempo para conocer a cada niño individualmente. Una vez que conozca a cada niño individualmente, puede comenzar a agregar cosas que les interesen al plan de estudios, mini lecciones, tiempos de círculo, etc. Por ejemplo, si tiene un estudiante que realmente disfruta leer y otro que realmente disfruta de los reptiles, muestre libros de reptilesCreo que es importante comenzar donde está el niño y tomarse el tiempo para conocer a cada niño individualmente. Una vez que conozca a cada niño individualmente, puede comenzar a agregar cosas que les interesen al plan de estudios, mini lecciones, tiempos de círculo, etc. Por ejemplo, si tiene un estudiante que realmente disfruta leer y otro que realmente disfruta de los reptiles, muestre libros de reptiles

[Ann Marie]

One idea to get children engaged in meaningful learning is by getting them excited. I find that music is so universal it speaks to a lot of us. I would have the children space apart as to be careful we don’t hurt one another then have them select a short song and offer it as exercise time to move and listen which is helping to improve some of their senses as well.

[Tyler Becker]

I think that giving children opportunities to give complex feedback in a group setting is a great way to foster active, meaningful learning. A colleague of mine that teaches dance to pre-school and pre-K groups opens each class by having the students tell everyone how they’re feeling that day, and to make up a dance move to reflect that feeling. The rest of the class then copies the dance move. I think this is a great way to get children thinking about their emotions, showing them that any emotion is okay to have, and understanding the emotions of their peers, all in a simple welcome activity.

[katrina mcivan]

find activities that teach but also entertain for longer period of times, things with lots of colors, sounds, pieces, or just fun pieces. kids engage when their friends are, so find a group activity.

[Asia]

By engaging with children’s natural sense of wonder and curiosity it should be fairly simple for an educator to ask leading questions to further inspire inquiry. Questions like, “what does this mean to you” or “what is your favorite” are great jumping points to get kids curious, and also to inform the educator about each child’s personal and unique preferences.

[Zoe Bollman]

Pla activities and lessons that are intractive, exciting, multifascited, and educational so that there is the largest possibility of kids of different interests being engaged. An example might be having a class pet and each child has a different job that rotates such as feeding it, giving it water, reading to it, playing with it, cleaning it, drawing pictures of it, and learning about it and its evolution etc.

[Dawnette]

Kids love music. Get them up and moving. When reading, involve them. With arts and crafts, they like to be hands on. Outside time, make sure they are sharing with others. Kids love to be a part of different interactions no matter how big or small.

[Kathy]

Depending on the age of the children, this can be done with hands-on, experiential learning or project-based learning. Having an inquiry-based component is important, too. Celebrate their families, diversity and cultures. Make real-world connections that connect with their background and foundational knowledge. Create learning stations and Centers with various activities and materials.

[isabella bates]

I think finding what the child is interested in is a great way to make the learning experience a lot more enjoyable. I also think that making the activities more fun is the best way to keep the kids engaged.

[Samantha]

I think you should show an interest in what the child is doing. If they are painting or drawing, ask them what it is and why they are drawing. When making up activities, try to tailor it to what the children like or what you think the children would like so it is easier for them to engage and remember it in the future.

[Kira]

Engage them with materials they are or may be interested in.

Let children do their own exploration and take cues from them to have individual and group discussions.

Allow children free time to move between learning centers.

[chrissy]

Getting to know your kids individually will help to get them engaged in activities. If you have a student that loves art, perhaps let them help pass out the art supplies during that activity. Or a student that enjoys music and movement, allow them to help guide other students with the activity.