Teaching young learners (YLs) can be very enjoyable because they like learning through fun, hands-on activities, games, and songs. Young students can also show a lot of academic growth during a course or school year, and seeing this progress is very rewarding for teachers.
Figure 1 image by tolmacho from Pixabay
However, despite the positive aspects, teaching YLs is not easy and certainly comes with its own set of challenges. Young students often need much more explicit instruction in procedures and expectations than older, more independent students. Managing the classroom and keeping young children engaged can also be difficult at times. In addition to teaching academic content, YL educators are tasked with helping their students develop social skills and establish a sense of personal responsibility.
How does a teacher tackle all of these issues? Giving YLs choices and opportunities to contribute their ideas can have very positive effects on behavior, classroom management, students’ sense of personal responsibility, and the overall classroom community. In this month’s Teacher’s Corner, we will share ideas about how educators can develop autonomy and independence in young learners.
Asking Learners to Help Make the Rules
Young Learners are used to being told what to do by teachers, parents, older siblings, caretakers, and lots of other people in their lives. In most classrooms, the teacher gives instructions and students are expected to follow the rules. However, allowing YLs to help set the rules and expectations of their classroom community makes them feel empowered and hold themselves, and each other, accountable.
The best time to start a discussion about classroom rules is at the beginning of a year or term, but this discussion can also take place at any time during a course. Regardless of when the discussion takes place, involving YLs in this process helps them feel that their ideas are important and that the rules are fair.
Figure 2 Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash
Begin the discussion by saying, “It is important that we all work together to make our classroom a great place for everyone to learn. Today we are going to talk about how we will take care of ourselves, our classmates, and our classroom so that we can do our best work every day.” Start with three separate pieces of poster paper or chart paper. Label each paper with one topic: self, others, and classroom. Then, ask your learners some guiding questions about classroom behavior in these three areas, such as:
- If I am a student in this class, how can I show that I am ready to try my best and learn each day? What things will I do? What things will I not do?
- When I talk to other students, what kinds of words should I use? Should I touch someone else or take their things without asking? How can I be a good classmate and friend?