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Volume 3 Issue 06
March 14, 2005
Communication
WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter. Every other week, I'll share some
ideas on a familiar teaching theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or two -- or a new
twist on one of your old favorites! Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet -- like
most of activities I suggest.
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Without communication, our world would be a boring place! Young children learn at an early age
the need for communication -- witness a baby’s cry when it’s hungry, a toddler’s
adamant “No” response, or a four-year-old’s “Me do it!” proclamation.
Early childhood programs filled with experiences and activities that develop reading, writing, listening,
talking, and observation skills help children begin to understand the variety and richness of the
world around them. In this edition of the Early Childhood Education Newsletter, we share a few ideas
to help you create a classroom of communicators.
Enjoy!
Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
PUPPET PLAY
Provide children with paper plates, crayons, glue, yarn, and tongue depressors. Invite children
to draw faces on the plates and use string to make hair. Help children glue a tongue depressor to
the back of their plates. At circle time, invite pairs of children to present a “puppet play”
to the group. Accept any reasonable dialogue the children create.
GIGGLE TIME
Hold a special time each week for a “Giggle Break.” Begin by telling children a few
jokes such as “knock-knock jokes.” Then invite children to tell a favorite riddle or
funny story. For children who have difficulty thinking of one, provide age-appropriate riddle books
or magazines. Set aside a special time for children to share their riddles and jokes.
Note: To ensure that all humor is appropriate, you may want to have children whisper their jokes
in your ear before telling the class.
IMAGINE WHAT?
Encourage children to create an imaginary brother or sister. At Circle Time, give each child an
opportunity to describe what that person would be like. Let students draw a picture of their imaginary
sibling and recite several describing words as you record them on the bottom of each picture. Bind
pictures into a class book.
DRAW IT
Give children drawing paper and envelopes. Invite children to draw a picture that tells their friend
something or to write a message using inventive spelling. Encourage children to put their drawings
or sentences in envelopes and deliver them to their friends’ cubbies.
DID YOU HEAR THAT?
Invite children to sit on the floor and close their eyes, explaining that they will need to listen
carefully. Recite or read aloud to children a familiar story or rhyme. As you proceed, change a
word or phrase that turns the passage from the familiar to nonsense. You can reverse two words,
substitute words, change word order, or change the order of events, for example, One, two, shuckle
my boo or Twinkle, twinkle little car or Baa baa red sheep and so on. Encourage
children to raise hands when they hear a “mistake” and let them explain what was wrong.
For younger children, the changes should be obvious and progress in difficulty throughout the year.
Check out the following Web sites for more
background and activities.
Kids Can Learn:
Story Telling Lesson Plans
Get some super stories and extension activities for use in your classroom.
http://eduref.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Language_Arts/Story_Telling
About Face
Here’s Arthur with a fun online game that teaches kids about facial expression as a form of
communication.
http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/aboutface/
Fern the Effective
Detective
More game fun as Arthur and his pals show kids the importance of descriptive communication.
http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/effectivedetective/index.html
Communication
Comparisons
This lesson plan includes information about and links to sites that inform about American Sign Language,
Braille, and other forms of communication.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/01-1/lesson0018.shtml
Can Teachers Help Shy Students?
Find some great tips on classroom communication that will help not only shy students but all students!
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr267.shtml
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