Record player explorations in preschool

My daughter gave me this wonderful record player for Christmas just so I could share it in my classroom. I have to say, it was one of the best gifts I have ever received and my students love it as much as I do…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

It can be a little unnerving to take something you love like this into the preschool classroom because you have to really let go and allow the children to explore without the temptation to micromanage their every move…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

I didn’t own any records so my daughter and Mr. Hayden picked up some old records we could use in the classroom without worrying about them. Some of them were children’s music while others were old country or classical. Since the records weren’t precious to me, I wasn’t worried about them getting a little dinged up through our explorations. However, we did talk with the children about how to handle and take care of a record…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

During circletime, we took the time to take a closer look at our records. We talked about how the little records only have one song on each side where the bigger records have lots of songs on each side.  We compared the different sizes of the records,  the different labels on each record, the shapes of the records, and how to handle the records…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

As the children spent time with the records and record player, Mr. Hayden or I would spend a few minutes talking about the very basics of managing the record players.  We didn’t over do our introduction. Instead, we gave the children plenty of space just to see what happens if they turned this knob or changed that button.  The only thing we emphasized is that the arm of the record player needed to be handled gently and my students were awesome…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

We kept the record player out all week. If I had the space, I would leave it out all year. Perhaps one day, I will figure out how to have everything I love out all the time.  But for the week, the children enjoyed spending time exploring the record player every day…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

As the week progressed, and the children developed a good feel for how the record player worked and how to care for the record player. I integrated our record player into other activities as well because a record player has a wonderful wheel that spins around which naturally lends itself to all kinds of science and art experiences…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

I will share our other record player experiences with you too because they were each amazing in their own way. Once our week was over, I brought the the record player home for my almost three year old grandson to explore too. Being a bit younger than the students in my classroom, I needed to sit with him at first but it wasn’t long before he was just as gentle and competent at managing the record player as my students were…

Record Player Explorations in Preschool by Teach Preschool

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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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