[Kalieyah Johnson]

serve and return is most used during play time with children. I often give them a toy to play with, they invite me to play as well and then return it back to me after playing with it themselves for a while. This helps promote sharing and taking turns!

[Meigan Luong]

I think that early learning providers can create these environments in their classrooms fairly easily if they know what to look for. When playing with children, being attentive to what they’re showing interest in, then responding in the appropriate, encouraging manner. Not only is this an opportunity for serve and return, but a huge component of relationship building with children.

[Aleecia Renderos]

Singing songs or reading books may help redirect children into a calm body

[Audrey Hamblett]

Early learning providers can create a “serve and return” environment by paying attention to the children’s interests and making sure that the adults are responding to the interest in a supportive way. This process all begins as teachers will introduce potential items or areas of interest to the child. From that if the child reactions in a positive manner than the teacher can match that positve reaction.

[Shelton Osceola]

Providing a shared and solitary experience with children is a good way to implement serve and return.

Like reading a book to them and letting their curiosity shine through by answering any questions they have.

[Vanessa Bernat]

By providing an environment for the children to have access to things that interest them and having an opportunity to engage with them showing interest and engaging with them.

[Brianna]

Some examples of serve and return activities are a child picking a book it and you reading it with them, rolling a ball, engaging in a game they created

[Aniya]

I think during free time play. Teacher should focus on what the child is interested in and go and help, name it, show interest and support the child in that play.

[valley valley valley]

In my classroom, a way I practice “serve and return” is when my students share an explicit interest or excitement in something I make sure to respond in a way that is reciprocal to their expression and then engage them in conversation or a thought process on this thing. For example, if a kid shows excitement in a ladybug they find, I’ll respond by being just as excited and then ask them what they think the lady bugs intentions are or what they find most fascinating about ladybugs.

[Linda]

Early learning providers can create a serve and return environment in the classroom by sharing focus on something a child in interested in, support and encouraging a child interests, naming what a child is focusing on, taking turns with a child playing back and forth, practicing ending and beginnings paying attention to when a child is all done with one thing and moving on to next. Following the 5 steps of serve and return.

[Trainer]

Linda, you’ve articulated great ways to create a serve-and-return environment, emphasizing the child’s interests and interactions. Well done!

[Araceli Barrientos]

Early learning providers can create a “serve and return” environment by fostering interactive and responsive communication with children. They can actively listen and respond to children’s vocalizations and gestures, encouraging dialogue and expanding language skills. Engaging in interactive play, such as turn-taking games and following the child’s lead in activities, supports this environment. Providing emotional support by acknowledging children’s feelings and offering positive reinforcement builds their confidence. A stimulating environment with diverse materials and engaging activities encourages exploration. Consistent routines and personalized attention help children feel secure and understood, while modeling positive behavior and encouraging peer interactions further enhance learning. These strategies together promote a nurturing and responsive classroom atmosphere.

[Anj Hampton]

I think we can use serve and returns a lot when reading with children, asking them questions about the book, telling them what the things they are pointing at are called and incorporating where the child might have seen or heard of the things in the book.

[Trainer]

Great insight, Anj! Using serve and return during reading helps to engage children and enhance their understanding of the story and the world around them.

[Briannah]

By showing interest into what the child is playing with and giving good feedback.

[John Murphy]

A good example of serve and return is reading books or engaging with toys and other objects in the classroom, and letting kids ask questions about what they are and what they do.

[Janet French]

Teachers can interact with the children throughout the day to provide a “serve and return” environment. By following the 5 steps, they can acknowledge what the children see and notice. They can support and encourage the children in activities and play. They can name objects and take turns with play. By doing this, they can also notice when a child is done with one thing and ready to start a new thing.