As teachers, we are constantly looking for 'teachable moments' when interacting with the children. Last week, when a child took down a container full of buttons off the window sill, he dropped it and the buttons went all over the floor. From this 'accident', we were able to talk about the different types of buttons we have in our classroom. This week, we purposefully left out the container of buttons along with a sorting tray on the table. |
With a teacher's support, the children sorted through the buttons.
Teacher: "We see so many buttons on the tray. What do you notice?"
(As teacher pointed to the different buttons, the child described the buttons according to its color.)
Child: "Orange, pink, yellow, black buttons."
Teacher: "What do they look like?"
Child: "They are circles."
We then suggested to the children to sort the buttons by color, since those were the adjectives they were using to describe the buttons. While some children were simply enjoying picking up the buttons and transferring them to the tray with the small compartments; some other children were interested in how the buttons came in different shades of the same color.
Child: "This is not purple, it not a darker purple."
Teacher: "I see, this one is not a dark purple, it's light purple."
The child smiled and placed the light purple button in the compartment with the other purple buttons.
Teacher: "We see so many buttons on the tray. What do you notice?"
(As teacher pointed to the different buttons, the child described the buttons according to its color.)
Child: "Orange, pink, yellow, black buttons."
Teacher: "What do they look like?"
Child: "They are circles."
We then suggested to the children to sort the buttons by color, since those were the adjectives they were using to describe the buttons. While some children were simply enjoying picking up the buttons and transferring them to the tray with the small compartments; some other children were interested in how the buttons came in different shades of the same color.
Child: "This is not purple, it not a darker purple."
Teacher: "I see, this one is not a dark purple, it's light purple."
The child smiled and placed the light purple button in the compartment with the other purple buttons.
Many of our children are able to match items by looking at attributes like color and shape. Sorting activity is very similar to matching, but is one step advanced activity. Sorting involves reorganizing a whole collection or set into several categories. In other words, the child needs to be able to select one attribute of the object to organize out of all other characteristics.
The goal is not to understand the attributes but to help them be familiar with the sorting process and how we can create sets. At this age, it is very common and age appropriate that the children is only able to perceive no more than single aspect of item and people. (e.g. Ms. Matsubara is a teacher but cannot be a mom!). Eventually, your children will be able to understand sets can be sorted to multiple attributes and be compared or ordered.
The goal is not to understand the attributes but to help them be familiar with the sorting process and how we can create sets. At this age, it is very common and age appropriate that the children is only able to perceive no more than single aspect of item and people. (e.g. Ms. Matsubara is a teacher but cannot be a mom!). Eventually, your children will be able to understand sets can be sorted to multiple attributes and be compared or ordered.
FAQ at the Conference
Thank you for attending the conference! It was our pleasure speaking to you and discussing your children's day at school. There was a question that many parents asked, and which was "What can we do for my child at home?" and I would like to share my responses with you.
1. Supporting your child to be independent. For instance, encourage your child to put shoes, coat, pants on and off. It may be a good idea to have him something easier for your child to dress and undress, such as elastic pants instead of jeans with belts, and shoes with velcro. This will help him/her do it by independently without frustration.
2. Spending time with your child together as a family. Occasional music class and swim lesson is fun, however, over scheduling your child's day and week can be detrimental. Allowing time to play freely in unstructured, home environment or in nature will be beneficial to your child's body and mind. (there was also an interesting article in NY Times about over scheduled children)
Finally, I cannot stress enough to limit your child's screen time (TV, iPad, etc.). Especially during the first three years of life, Interpersonal interactions with caregivers holds the key for happy and healthy physical and cognitive development of the child. Here is the most update information regarding use of screen time from Zero to Three.
Thank you for attending the conference! It was our pleasure speaking to you and discussing your children's day at school. There was a question that many parents asked, and which was "What can we do for my child at home?" and I would like to share my responses with you.
1. Supporting your child to be independent. For instance, encourage your child to put shoes, coat, pants on and off. It may be a good idea to have him something easier for your child to dress and undress, such as elastic pants instead of jeans with belts, and shoes with velcro. This will help him/her do it by independently without frustration.
2. Spending time with your child together as a family. Occasional music class and swim lesson is fun, however, over scheduling your child's day and week can be detrimental. Allowing time to play freely in unstructured, home environment or in nature will be beneficial to your child's body and mind. (there was also an interesting article in NY Times about over scheduled children)
Finally, I cannot stress enough to limit your child's screen time (TV, iPad, etc.). Especially during the first three years of life, Interpersonal interactions with caregivers holds the key for happy and healthy physical and cognitive development of the child. Here is the most update information regarding use of screen time from Zero to Three.