Are your preschoolers loving the process?

I spend a great deal of time researching activities and ideas for the classroom and often come across the cutest ideas but then I try to visualize how much of the activity my preschool age students would actually be able to do.

Sometimes, the way an art activity looks online isn’t exactly how they turn out in the classroom. For example, the snowman head shown above didn’t quite look the same as the ones pictured in the post at About.com.

Here are our final snowmen…

Probably wouldn’t make the cover of a magazine! But guess which set of snowmen I love the most? We were not shooting for the outcome we were loving the process.

Learning is in the process
When looking at ideas for your preschool classroom, don’t just consider how cute the end result will be. Take a minute to visualize what your students will actually get to do. The actual learning takes place in the doing, not in the outcome.

Who is learning here?
I recently visited a preschool classroom where the children were making reindeer heads out of construction paper. The teacher, who was very gentle and kind, directed just about every move the children made.

  • The teacher sprinkled on the glitter – the children did get to tap the end of the bottle as she held it.
  • The teacher positioned the construction paper pieces on the paper – the children did get to put on the glue.
  • The teacher let the children put the stickers on for the eyeballs and then repositioned them so they all were in the correct place.

In the end, there were 10 little reindeer all looking pretty much the same but how much of the process did the children get to take part in?

I would have loved to see how these reindeer would have looked if the children would have been able to make them all by themselves. I bet they would have been a hoot and a fun topic of conversation for parents. The teacher could have titled the paper “My Reindeer,” possibly even show them how to make one, and then let the children have at it.

The next time you plan an activity it is fine to choose something cute but then think “Process” not “Outcome”.

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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