learning process

As a kindergarten teacher, I always viewed myself as a facilitator of learning more than a teacher. I felt that my job was to set up a positive environment for the children to learn. When I was allowed to teach my way, I would teach utilizing a theme based curriculum. This means I would teach the theme and the skills where developed through the activities based on the theme. I would choose one theme a month and incorporate the holidays and necessary skills into the theme I was teaching that month. This also allowed me to make modifications based on what was going on in the world (Olympics, elections and that kind of things) as well as the interests of the students in my classes.

I enjoy watching children learn in their own way in their own time. I know that a lot of parents set time aside each day to "teach" their children. They focus on specific skills that they expect their children to master within a given time frame. I do not do this with my boys, and doubt I will. Now don't get me wrong I do expose the boys to academic skills, but I do not go out of my way to teach them. I have already begun using holidays in our art projects and some of the stories that we read. I switch the books in Blake's room every month (or more frequently). It is through these stories that he has been exposed to alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes that kind of things.

Some of the other ways that I expose the boys to academic skills are the computer, art projects, the toys we have, the tv shows I choose to let them watch and that kind of things. We always have children's music playing in the background too. You would be shocked at how much children can pick up just hearing something over and over again in the background.

I watch my sons learn every day. It amazes me all the time how much they already know and the skills they not only are learning but also can use in their lives. I know my boys are learning through play, which in my opinion as a parent and as a teacher is the best way for young children to learn!

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8 comments:

  1. Enjoy your sweet boys today and THANK YOU for your years of teaching. It may be hard, but your boys appreciate you!
    ~Elyse~

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  2. From what you described, that is exactly the way that Matthew's teacher is teaching the class. Kindergarten is so important, to build the foundation of learning.

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  3. Here we use the watch and do learn method, Kiddos watch and want to do so they learn it;s so cool!

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  4. It is amazing what kids pick up through play. We don't have a set learning time...it is woven through the day. I love music a as a learning tool. So much fun.

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  5. I totally agree with you. Reading is so important when they are young and there are so many ways that children learn outside of school activities. Great post!

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  6. you are such a good mommy and teacher! Your boys are lucky to have you helping learn!

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  7. i completely agree with you! although sometimes i wonder if i'm "teaching" enough. but that's the teacher in me! but then he does things that TOTALLY shock me!

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  8. It is fun seeing the things they pick up all on their own!

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