We recently posed a few questions on social media and they really resonated with folks.
What worked this year?
What felt harder than it needed to?
What do I want to do differently in the fall?
This is also a good time to ask: What do your children want and need this fall?
For the last few years we have been listening to teachers talk about their desire for a settled classroom where children experience the joy of learning. It requires intention and an understanding of children’s wants and needs. Here is a list inspired by the responses of teachers we have worked with over the years. Teaching with the Complementary Curriculum Approach supports what you can do, want to do, and need to do.
Children can….Children want to…
- Talk about their home life and family
- Feel like they are part of a group
- Touch, explore, create, discover
- Be independent
- Think
- Be challenged
- Be taken seriously
- Feel successful
- Make connections
- Be seen and known
- Play
Children need….
- To feel loved by their community
- To use their imagination
- Language(s)
- Interesting materials & motivated by interesting experiences
- To repeat activities
- Time
- Choice
- Confidence
- To feel safe
- Respect
- To have leadership opportunities
Think about these lists as you prepare the environment with fresh eyes, design compelling materials to spark children’s engagement, and scaffold learning responsively.
Discover practical strategies to foster joyful engagement, access high-quality learning on your schedule, and elevate your teaching practice.