Group time with toddlers :)

I would try and do music and movement as they are busy people. Including the Assistant in the group time to help with involvment is crutial and 15 years ago this was the norm, but unfortunately this idea has been lost and it can make a huge difference between a stressful group time and a fun and positive one, just a suggestion Ta J

Hi Jane,

Interesting comment you made about including the assistant during group time. It not happening at all now days and I don't understand why... it makes such a big difference when both teachers take part in group time with the children. While one teacher runs group time the other needs to encourage the children to become involved...especially with toddlers. Some people don't understand this...

Glad you agreed. I have a friend who is working for a popular not for profit Centre and the Director is just a Gem! She encourages all Assistants to be involved at all group times and encourages the Teachers in the room to work as a team, this is working well and the Group Leader has included singing with a guitar (real instrument), children are responding well and involved. J

Hi All,

Group time with the over 3 year old age group.

I would appreciate some help or tips with this.

As I have a softly spoken voice which I am learning to use appropriately as needed.

Group time does phase me a bit, I like to have Stories or Music organised before I start, something that involves learning and fun at the same time.

I will be implementing this more and more, we do Group Time but I would like it to be more than just reading stores.

I feel that I have to have the routines more organised in the morning as well.

What do others do?

Thanks ...

Angel mist wrote:Hi All,
Group time with the over 3 year old age group.

I would appreciate some help or tips with this.
As I have a softly spoken voice which I am learning to use appropriately as needed.
Group time does phase me a bit, I like to have Stories or Music organised before I start, something that involves learning and fun at the same time.
I will be implementing this more and more, we do Group Time but I would like it to be more than just reading stores.
I feel that I have to have the routines more organised in the morning as well.

What do others do?
Thanks ...

I love group time. It's my teaching moment. Getting all the children to focus, concentrate and participate. Usually during my group times, we do ours songs then a learning experience. It could be a group discussion on a current interest within the room. I always have A3 Paper and a marker ready to write down the children's thoughts and ideas. I put this poster on display where the program is for parents to see their child's comments. For example if the the topic of interest is Summer then we will have a group discussion on Summer, the season, weather, what we can do on hot days etc. Each of these discussions will spread out over the week. I also do intentional teaching during my group times, I do lots of science experiments, talking about cultural diversity, group games, etc. These all can be included into group time. Another idea is you can have "show and tell". Each day have a couple children bring in show and tell. You can set up a roster and let the parents know in advance.

I also find that with group time I have a few spread out over the day, however my main teaching one is after morning tea because I feel the children concentrate more during this time. You just need to find a time during the day that the children are less distracted and able to focus more. Having a group time early in the morning doesn't work if you're still waiting on children to arrive. After morning tea, all children should already have arrived and you can start it before the children go off to play.

Hope these give you a few ideas,

,
L.A