For all the new teachers and parents, the most difficult phase is to comprehend simpler ways to keep the child focused on studies, especially the initial days when they step into the world of knowledge. There are several notions and inhibitions when it comes to Teaching small Children, but wait, let's see the other part of it. You might think, you are going to introduce a whole new world to them, but children do teach some of the most beautiful life lessons to adults. So, when you are getting into the teaching phase, especially with young children, keep yourself open to be devoid of prejudices, break ego and filled with learning opportunities.
Here are some tips for the debutants to make such sessions fruitful.
1. Understand the styles, not dependent
The moment you step into the world of teaching the younger lot you will get immense information about teaching styles and how mandatory it is to include them in your sessions to make the process of learning a cake walk for each student. But, there is no such evidence in psychology about the right way to teach children, rather it says each child is unique and they love novelty than anything else. So, understand the nuances of teaching styles and let them go with the flow.
2. Know Your Subject
Younger the children, smarter they are. Whatever little you are trying to teach them, try and acquire vast knowledge about the topic. As kids might know nothing or sometimes know more than you about the particular topic. It is important that you have clarity and in-depth content about the subjects you are intending to teach.
3. Constructive criticism matters as much praise
Yes, children get stagnant with their abilities when it is just sugar coated words about their work. It is important to praise for a good artwork or a write-up or scoring good marks. But it is also important to ask them for more. Children might put their thoughts and imagination to a stop when they get praised continuously. Rather tell them how wonderful it can be if they were ready to take a leap and add more layers to the work they did as a conventional good material.
4. Be Approachable
Criticisms also need the red line. The children who are so new to the space of learning are vulnerable and naive. So, it is crucial that their teacher is approachable for any query or problem they face. Also, they would love the work, a kind teacher allots than a strict one.
5. Be a mentor
No, it isn't paradoxical with the above-mentioned point. Being kind is the much-needed aspect of a mentor. Being a mentor, you should be aware of your child's needs and interests. This will allow both of you to have a better mentor-student relationship with mutual respect and understanding. This also shows the child what it is to be a good leader.
6. You are the example
As a teacher, you will have to preach a lot of your beliefs and things acknowledged as "good" globally, for moulding a better citizen for tomorrow. But children are keen observers. They pick actions than words. Thus make sure you set an example out of yourselves, which is the best way to teach children responsibility and good manners or deeds.
7. Build a relationship with others who have close connections with the children
If you are the teacher, talk to your students' parents, and if you are the parent, have deep discussions with the child's teachers. For teachers this part is prominent as the majority of the behavioural patterns of younger children arises from their home scenarios, you need to know how their days at home were. And for parents, children might have some favourite topics at school they wouldn't want to disclose. Talk to their favourite teacher and she might have extracted it already.
