Trying to get a child’s attention can be grueling at times, especially if they are between the ages of two and five. Being a teacher takes courage, determination, and a good amount of patience. However, this profession is also one of the most rewarding ones out there. Not only does this job allow you to transform lives, but it gives you the ability to inspire the minds of the next generation. If you find yourself frustrated in the classroom and you want some tips on how to motivate your preschoolers, keep reading, this is the article for you!
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Decorate Your Classroom
Children between the ages of two and five are highly receptive to their surroundings. Therefore, decorating your classroom and making it a fun environment will do wonders for their levels of motivation. Think of some elementary classroom themes and pick your favorites. This can include loud colors, vivid imagery, and motivational quotes. This is one of the best passive ways to keep your kids engaged and eager to learn. Make sure you keep the class clean and tidy as this will also keep productivity levels high.
Get the Children Involved
Although preschoolers are very young, they will appreciate a sense of responsibility and involvement in the classroom. Rather than being spoken at during the whole lesson, kids prefer to get involved. For example, if you are reading to the class, why not get the children to recreate the sound effects during the story’s most predictable parts. This can involve the whole class, not only those who can read. Another fun and inclusive activity is gardening. Let them dig into the soil and water the class plants. Gardening is a great way to encourage sensory development and teach values like patience and responsibility.
Introduce Different Styles of Learning
Not every child will have the same learning style. Some kids will engage more with visual learning whilst others may prefer auditory, physical, or social learning. For this reason, you should try to mix up your daily activities and make sure you cater for every child’s needs. This change of styles will also help them become more engaged as they don’t know what to expect. There is no right or wrong technique when it comes to using different learning styles just make sure you are enthusiastic about it.
Praise Them for Their Accomplishments
No task is too little or too large to receive a healthy dose of praising. Give your preschoolers specific and genuine feedback on their accomplishments. In other words, let them know why they did a good job. This will nurture their own self-confidence and help them recognize when they are doing well. For example, if they tidied up or shared during playtime, let them know how thoughtful they have been. Some children are naturally more confident than others, however, all children will benefit from positive feedback and encouragement. This type of praise can also motivate them to try hard in the future.
