1.1 Teaching Toddlers

[Niko]

Toddlers (age: 2~5)

Students in this age group are extremely sensitive to changes within their local surrounds. The parent may need to be physically present inside the class otherwise the student will start crying.

2 year olds will for the most part, not talk for the entire lesson. Once this age group begins to talk in their native tongue, expect to hear a range of stories and meaningless information. Agreeing with students and smiling is sufficient to build their confidence in learning and for wanting to be in the classroom.

Toddlers respond best to:

• Illustration books
• Music through participation
• Repitition

Illustration books

Children's books contain simple words and phrases with excellent illustrations. Books with pages that require the student to open doors to see what's behind are an excellent way of keeping attention.

Music through participation

Ensure to use professionally prepared nursery ryhmes and songs. Such music has been carefully selected by psychologists and other professionals to appeal to a child's learning pattern. The music is designed around:

• Flowing music
• Carefully placed repitition
• Tones and pitches that toddles respond best to

After having selected the songs, next is to ensure students mime actions specific to the song. If the song is about brushing your teeth, then ensure students mime these actions. Move as a group all in the same manner, limiting the variety of actions to 4. Anything more than 4 actions will only confuse student as to which action is next.

Repitition

Just because a book has been read once, doesn't mean it cannot be read again over and over. Toddlers love to read their favourite books more than just once. Furthermore, the same songs can be used over and over again.

Limit repitition to twice a lesson. Anything more will only introduce boredom amongst students. Using the same book or song can be used over 4 of 5 lessons. After that, it's time to move on and find a new book or song.

Exception: Repitition should be used with the "ABC" song every year the student is in this age group. The "ABC" song will build a strong foundation for later years when reading becomes such an important part of the learning process.

To Summarise

# Students are very insecure in this age group.
# Students learn best by illustration books, music through participation and repitition.

[rwall7943]

Staying active in the classroom really helps to keep the attention of toddlers. There attention span is so short you have to keep them interested.

[Tutor]

For Toddlers you have to pay attention to each of them and "Play and study" is the base.