I'm a very new preschool teacher, and what I've learned to do during my circle time is to make it extremely fun, and the children want to engage. For example, I have all 3 year old children and one 4 year old who is very advanced, I will have him demonstrate how to write his or how to recognize their numbers and alphabets. He's like my assistant teacher 😂 from doing that my younger students really want to do everything he's doing and they're ready to learn 😊 as for my more difficult children, I'll have one of the teacher assistants do one on one activities until they show interest in what the other children are doing.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and for subscribing to our channel! We're thrilled to hear how you’re making circle time engaging and effective. Your idea of involving the advanced 4-year-old as a “teacher’s assistant” is fantastic and shows great creativity. The approach of providing one-on-one support for more challenging students is also spot-on. Adding hands-on or sensory activities could further enhance the learning experience. We appreciate your dedication and are glad to have you as part of our community. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for this informational video. I am a first year teacher in NY and I was picked for ECERS. The visuals give a more clear indication of what the classroom should be like.
ECERS is awful, it doesn’t prepare 4 yr olds for kindergarten. Kindergarten is basically like first grade, and they’re subjected to high stakes computer testing throughout the year. I learned in grad school that children as young as 3 possess the ability to learn different languages easily, they are capable of doing the academics that ECERS is so opposed to.
I thought we had to use a linear calendar. I thought we couldn’t do a traditional calendar. The main problem I have with ECERS is everything is so subjective. I thought we couldn’t ask children to come to circle time. I thought they had a choice to come. But then what happens if if the ECERS is there and no one comes.
Hello! Thank you for your great feedback and question. I just wanted to clarify that the video you watched was recorded several years ago, so it features the old version of ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) that I am currently holding. The most updated version is ECERS 3. You are absolutely right that many teachers interpret the ECERS differently, and it can sometimes lead to confusion. To help with that, I highly recommend having the "All about the ECERS-3" book at your fingertips. It contains a wealth of information and can provide answers to many of your clarification questions.
The ECERS grant program is a total waste of time and money. Too many funky rules that are still being implemented. It doesn’t even begin to prepare 4 yr olds for kindergarten, which is incredibly rigorous in academics. There’s no play based anything in kindergarten, those ECERS kids go into shock when they get to kindergarten.
Thanks for watching! We hope you will check out our new daily podcast as well on Spotify that releases on July 10th. We will be releasing new video's and shorts this week so stay tuned. Thank you again for your support.
How do you make students pick a difficult person to play with. Some students have a preferred friends. Some students don’t get along, or argue when together. If it is totally their choice you will always choose a friend.
Thank you so much for your question. Here is a few ideas that can help encourage children to try working with others outside of their preferred group of classmates.
Emphasize the Importance of Diversity: Highlight the significance of diversity and the value it brings to a child's overall development. Explain to children that every individual is unique, and by playing with different friends, they can learn about various cultures, traditions, and perspectives. Encourage them to embrace diversity as an opportunity for personal growth and understanding. Organize Group Activities: Organize group activities that involve children from different social circles. This can include field trips, picnics, or special events where children can interact and engage in collaborative play. By providing a structured environment, children will feel more comfortable exploring new friendships and sharing experiences with their peers. Foster a Sense of Inclusion: Create an inclusive classroom environment where every child feels valued and accepted. Teach children the importance of kindness, empathy, and respect towards others. Encourage them to be inclusive by inviting new friends to join their games, ensuring that no one is left out. By fostering a sense of inclusion, children will be more open to forming friendships beyond their usual circle. Introduce Cooperative Games: Introduce cooperative games that require teamwork and collaboration. These games can help children develop essential social skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and compromise. By engaging in cooperative play, children will naturally bond with their peers, leading to the formation of new friendships. Encourage Communication Skills: Teach children effective communication skills, such as active listening and expressing their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to initiate conversations with new friends, ask questions, and show genuine interest in others. By developing strong communication skills, children will find it easier to connect with their peers and establish meaningful relationships. Lead by Example: As adults, we play a crucial role in shaping children's behavior. Demonstrate inclusivity, respect, and open-mindedness in your own interactions with others. Actively engage with parents from different backgrounds and encourage your child to do the same. By leading by example, children will understand the importance of embracing diversity and forming friendships outside their usual group.
Thanks for the love. We love all of you right back. Thank you for all that you are doing for children. Families and communities. Please let us know if there are specific topics. You would like us to cover on art show. After all, we're creating it just for you.💕💕💕
During Meeting time and through my observation I observe some children are not able to set for a long period during morning meeting. I will aske the child what they would like to do and have a teacher to set with the child to futher undrestand their learning and interest, as well as their social interactions.
I believe that children learn throughout the classroom, outside the classroom at home, in the community and in the play area there is no need to make young children sit or tend longer than they are interested in. I believe in meeting the children where they are and helping them learn in a way that is play based and fun and engaging. When you are reading a story, children can still hear you whether they are sitting on a rug or they are 2 feet away from you. You can still include them. If they're not sitting, you can still ask them questions that they can answer from where they are at. There are lots of different strategies and schools of thought at the end of the day, do what is best for you and the students in your classroom. Thank you for all you do our young children need amazing teachers who stay educated in best practice and continue to find new ways to reach each student individually. Please let us know if there are any topics you would love us to cover on the show. We are creating this channel to help support all of our amazing early childhood teachers, early learning center directors and school owners.
ECERS is great for dumbing down children. As a kindergarten teacher, the kids who went through play based ECERS struggle academically. When I taught kindergarten, kids were expected to read 100 sight words, and admin expects them to independently read grade level books, then they have to take online quizzes based on each book. Going from ECERS play based preschool program, to the rigorous academics of kindergarten is just cruel.
Thank you for your feedback. ECERS is a researched based tool to support the enviorment. With guidence on classroom set up and materials and classroom rotuines. I have seen many centers have positive outcomes when setting up their classrooms that are play based and using ECERS. If your state uses a quality rating system, there is a good chance that you would be required to use this tool to assess you're a classroom. The bigger question is how the children were able to engage with the materials, how long tgey have acess to learning that is hands on and the way they interact and learn with peers and the way that the teacher guide children to use materials in the classroom and impact of a good teacher. In my experience, the stronger indicator would be the type of curriculum framework that a program uses and the relationship between the students and the teachers. I do appreciate your comment. There is always room for many different voices on our channel We may have different teaching philosophies, different outcomes, core values. I only can speak to my experiences, and I have found that many of the children who have come from playbase programs are more than ready to enter kindergarten and with excitement and a love for learning. Thank you for all you have done as a kindergarten teacher helping support children and families in your community. Thank you again very much for stopping by our channel. We hope that you will continue to be part of our community. If there are any topics you would like us to cover, please let us know.
But I thought you couldn’t tell a child they can’t play in an area. So if 17 children want to go to dramatic play you aren’t supposed to tell a child they can’t play in that area. You can’t say no to the kids. That is what we were told. I have popsicle sticks, with names. They take their name and attach it to a sign in the area. Each sign has the number of spaces allowed in the area. I was told this was fine but if other students want to go in the area they can. Then why have it?
Children are allowed to choose where they play during free play but if a center is full they still have to wait their turn until there is room in the center.
Thank you so much for your feedback. You are correct, you are able to have indicators or visual cues that show how many children are able use a learning center at a time. Children can then return when a student has left that area and there is now a space for them to enter that area. It is all about children having choices. So maybe they have a second or third choice of a learning center they would like to go to until a space opens up in that area. One benefit of play based learning is to allow children to select materials that they would like to use and learn more about. We want to afford children the opportunity to be able to expand on their interest. Teachers are there to be a guide and not always necessarily tell children what they should be learning about but serve as a guide. That is why open ended materials such as blocks, art, dramatic play tend to be children's favorites. I look forward to talking with you more about your experiences working in a classroom. Thank you so much for being part of our community and I appreciate your questions and feedback.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply! You’re absolutely right-Montessori is a distinct teaching philosophy. While we are a play-based program, I appreciate your feedback and will keep it in mind as I create more videos about different learning environments. Since recording this video seven years ago, we’ve incorporated more natural materials and mindfulness practices. We also follow a quality rating system that guides our classroom materials and setup. I’m familiar with both Reggio and Montessori philosophies and will be sure to include them in our discussions. Thank you again for your insights!
For those curious about the differences between Montessori and play-based schools: Environment Setup: Montessori classrooms are meticulously arranged with specific materials designed for hands-on learning, promoting independence and self-discovery. Each area focuses on particular skills (like practical life, sensory exploration, and math). In contrast, play-based programs create flexible environments filled with various materials that encourage free play, exploration, and social interaction, allowing children to choose their activities. Structure: Montessori follows a structured curriculum with clear learning objectives, where children work at their own pace. Play-based settings prioritize child-led exploration, with less focus on formal goals, fostering creativity and imagination. Role of the Teacher: In Montessori, teachers guide and facilitate learning, observing individual needs and interests. In play-based environments, teachers often take a step back, supporting children’s play without directing it, which encourages natural learning through social interaction. Both approaches foster creativity and independence but in distinct ways!
Let us know what you think about circle time in a play-based mixed age group. We can not wait to hear from you.
This is a great video. Where the follow-up video to show us the changes that were made to increase the ECERS score?
I'm a very new preschool teacher, and what I've learned to do during my circle time is to make it extremely fun, and the children want to engage. For example, I have all 3 year old children and one 4 year old who is very advanced, I will have him demonstrate how to write his or how to recognize their numbers and alphabets. He's like my assistant teacher 😂 from doing that my younger students really want to do everything he's doing and they're ready to learn 😊 as for my more difficult children, I'll have one of the teacher assistants do one on one activities until they show interest in what the other children are doing.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and for subscribing to our channel! We're thrilled to hear how you’re making circle time engaging and effective. Your idea of involving the advanced 4-year-old as a “teacher’s assistant” is fantastic and shows great creativity. The approach of providing one-on-one support for more challenging students is also spot-on.
Adding hands-on or sensory activities could further enhance the learning experience. We appreciate your dedication and are glad to have you as part of our community. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for this informational video. I am a first year teacher in NY and I was picked for ECERS. The visuals give a more clear indication of what the classroom should be like.
You are so welcome!
ECERS is awful, it doesn’t prepare 4 yr olds for kindergarten. Kindergarten is basically like first grade, and they’re subjected to high stakes computer testing throughout the year. I learned in grad school that children as young as 3 possess the ability to learn different languages easily, they are capable of doing the academics that ECERS is so opposed to.
Thank you!! So nice to “see”, it explained.
Thank You so much! Please let us know what other topics you would like us to cover.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Question...for a 7 hour program (Full day Preschool) how many minutes should we schedule for Center free play and Outdoor play?
I thought we had to use a linear calendar. I thought we couldn’t do a traditional calendar. The main problem I have with ECERS is everything is so subjective. I thought we couldn’t ask children to come to circle time. I thought they had a choice to come. But then what happens if if the ECERS is there and no one comes.
Hello! Thank you for your great feedback and question. I just wanted to clarify that the video you watched was recorded several years ago, so it features the old version of ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale) that I am currently holding. The most updated version is ECERS 3.
You are absolutely right that many teachers interpret the ECERS differently, and it can sometimes lead to confusion. To help with that, I highly recommend having the "All about the ECERS-3" book at your fingertips. It contains a wealth of information and can provide answers to many of your clarification questions.
The ECERS grant program is a total waste of time and money. Too many funky rules that are still being implemented. It doesn’t even begin to prepare 4 yr olds for kindergarten, which is incredibly rigorous in academics. There’s no play based anything in kindergarten, those ECERS kids go into shock when they get to kindergarten.
Thank you for sharing
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for watching! We hope you will check out our new daily podcast as well on Spotify that releases on July 10th. We will be releasing new video's and shorts this week so stay tuned. Thank you again for your support.
How do you make students pick a difficult person to play with. Some students have a preferred friends. Some students don’t get along, or argue when together. If it is totally their choice you will always choose a friend.
Thank you so much for your question. Here is a few ideas that can help encourage children to try working with others outside of their preferred group of classmates.
Emphasize the Importance of Diversity:
Highlight the significance of diversity and the value it brings to a child's overall development. Explain to children that every individual is unique, and by playing with different friends, they can learn about various cultures, traditions, and perspectives. Encourage them to embrace diversity as an opportunity for personal growth and understanding.
Organize Group Activities:
Organize group activities that involve children from different social circles. This can include field trips, picnics, or special events where children can interact and engage in collaborative play. By providing a structured environment, children will feel more comfortable exploring new friendships and sharing experiences with their peers.
Foster a Sense of Inclusion:
Create an inclusive classroom environment where every child feels valued and accepted. Teach children the importance of kindness, empathy, and respect towards others. Encourage them to be inclusive by inviting new friends to join their games, ensuring that no one is left out. By fostering a sense of inclusion, children will be more open to forming friendships beyond their usual circle.
Introduce Cooperative Games:
Introduce cooperative games that require teamwork and collaboration. These games can help children develop essential social skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and compromise. By engaging in cooperative play, children will naturally bond with their peers, leading to the formation of new friendships.
Encourage Communication Skills:
Teach children effective communication skills, such as active listening and expressing their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to initiate conversations with new friends, ask questions, and show genuine interest in others. By developing strong communication skills, children will find it easier to connect with their peers and establish meaningful relationships.
Lead by Example:
As adults, we play a crucial role in shaping children's behavior. Demonstrate inclusivity, respect, and open-mindedness in your own interactions with others. Actively engage with parents from different backgrounds and encourage your child to do the same. By leading by example, children will understand the importance of embracing diversity and forming friendships outside their usual group.
❤
Thanks for the love. We love all of you right back. Thank you for all that you are doing for children. Families and communities. Please let us know if there are specific topics. You would like us to cover on art show. After all, we're creating it just for you.💕💕💕
During Meeting time and through my observation I observe some children are not able to set for a long period during morning meeting. I will aske the child what they would like to do and have a teacher to set with the child to futher undrestand their learning and interest, as well as their social interactions.
I believe that children learn throughout the classroom, outside the classroom at home, in the community and in the play area there is no need to make young children sit or tend longer than they are interested in. I believe in meeting the children where they are and helping them learn in a way that is play based and fun and engaging. When you are reading a story, children can still hear you whether they are sitting on a rug or they are 2 feet away from you. You can still include them. If they're not sitting, you can still ask them questions that they can answer from where they are at. There are lots of different strategies and schools of thought at the end of the day, do what is best for you and the students in your classroom. Thank you for all you do our young children need amazing teachers who stay educated in best practice and continue to find new ways to reach each student individually. Please let us know if there are any topics you would love us to cover on the show. We are creating this channel to help support all of our amazing early childhood teachers, early learning center directors and school owners.
ECERS is great for dumbing down children. As a kindergarten teacher, the kids who went through play based ECERS struggle academically. When I taught kindergarten, kids were expected to read 100 sight words, and admin expects them to independently read grade level books, then they have to take online quizzes based on each book.
Going from ECERS play based preschool program, to the rigorous academics of kindergarten is just cruel.
Thank you for your feedback. ECERS is a researched based tool to support the enviorment. With guidence on classroom set up and materials and classroom rotuines. I have seen many centers have positive outcomes when setting up their classrooms that are play based and using ECERS. If your state uses a quality rating system, there is a good chance that you would be required to use this tool to assess you're a classroom. The bigger question is how the children were able to engage with the materials, how long tgey have acess to learning that is hands on and the way they interact and learn with peers and the way that the teacher guide children to use materials in the classroom and impact of a good teacher.
In my experience, the stronger indicator would be the type of curriculum framework that a program uses and the relationship between the students and the teachers. I do appreciate your comment. There is always room for many different voices on our channel We may have different teaching philosophies, different outcomes, core values. I only can speak to my experiences, and I have found that many of the children who have come from playbase programs are more than ready to enter kindergarten and with excitement and a love for learning. Thank you for all you have done as a kindergarten teacher helping support children and families in your community. Thank you again very much for stopping by our channel. We hope that you will continue to be part of our community. If there are any topics you would like us to cover, please let us know.
But I thought you couldn’t tell a child they can’t play in an area. So if 17 children want to go to dramatic play you aren’t supposed to tell a child they can’t play in that area. You can’t say no to the kids. That is what we were told. I have popsicle sticks, with names. They take their name and attach it to a sign in the area. Each sign has the number of spaces allowed in the area. I was told this was fine but if other students want to go in the area they can. Then why have it?
Children are allowed to choose where they play during free play but if a center is full they still have to wait their turn until there is room in the center.
Thank you so much for your feedback. You are correct, you are able to have indicators or visual cues that show how many children are able use a learning center at a time. Children can then return when a student has left that area and there is now a space for them to enter that area. It is all about children having choices. So maybe they have a second or third choice of a learning center they would like to go to until a space opens up in that area. One benefit of play based learning is to allow children to select materials that they would like to use and learn more about. We want to afford children the opportunity to be able to expand on their interest. Teachers are there to be a guide and not always necessarily tell children what they should be learning about but serve as a guide. That is why open ended materials such as blocks, art, dramatic play tend to be children's favorites. I look forward to talking with you more about your experiences working in a classroom. Thank you so much for being part of our community and I appreciate your questions and feedback.
sorry, this would bomb in a Montessori class! too busy, too distracting and busy!!!
Thank you for your thoughtful reply! You’re absolutely right-Montessori is a distinct teaching philosophy. While we are a play-based program, I appreciate your feedback and will keep it in mind as I create more videos about different learning environments. Since recording this video seven years ago, we’ve incorporated more natural materials and mindfulness practices. We also follow a quality rating system that guides our classroom materials and setup. I’m familiar with both Reggio and Montessori philosophies and will be sure to include them in our discussions. Thank you again for your insights!
For those curious about the differences between Montessori and play-based schools:
Environment Setup: Montessori classrooms are meticulously arranged with specific materials designed for hands-on learning, promoting independence and self-discovery. Each area focuses on particular skills (like practical life, sensory exploration, and math). In contrast, play-based programs create flexible environments filled with various materials that encourage free play, exploration, and social interaction, allowing children to choose their activities.
Structure: Montessori follows a structured curriculum with clear learning objectives, where children work at their own pace. Play-based settings prioritize child-led exploration, with less focus on formal goals, fostering creativity and imagination.
Role of the Teacher: In Montessori, teachers guide and facilitate learning, observing individual needs and interests. In play-based environments, teachers often take a step back, supporting children’s play without directing it, which encourages natural learning through social interaction.
Both approaches foster creativity and independence but in distinct ways!