Planning for Individuality in Preschool Spaces
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Ms. Briana鈥檚 preschool classroom is abuzz as children explore the room and engage in self-directed play. The room is organized into activity centers that are filled with a variety of materials to inspire them. Each child has their own unique interests, skill sets, and cultural experiences, which Ms. Briana takes into consideration when planning.
Today, her intentional planning efforts are on display: Harrison is playing with cars and blocks along with a few classmates, Maria, Tyson, and Khadija. Through previous observations, Ms. Briana has noticed that Harrison usually plays with the cars by himself. This week, she strategically placed a basket of cars in the block area, where other children play often. This small but impactful shift helps to support Harrison鈥檚 socialization, communication, and cooperative play.
Children enter preschool with a variety of knowledge, experiences, and abilities. As part of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), early childhood educators are called to individualize their teaching strategies and curricula to meet these specific needs听and contexts.
But what does this look like in practice? How do teachers intentionally plan learning experiences that build on children鈥檚 individual strengths? Following, we (the authors) outline ways that educators can identify children鈥檚 unique strengths and abilities, then offer examples of individualized lesson plans for different times and activities during the day. We base these practical planning recommendations on our past experiences鈥攂oth of us worked in general and special education preschool settings for over 15 years and used similar planning tools. Currently, we are university professors working with听pre- and听in-service preschool teachers with whom we share听these approaches.
Understanding Preschool Children鈥檚 Individuality
DAP calls for educators to develop learning experiences that reflect both what is known about young children in general and about each child in particular. To do this, teachers must understand each child鈥檚 abilities, characteristics, interests, and contexts. Observation and building relationships with families are key ways to听do this.
Observing to Identify Strengths
Observation is crucial during the learning day. It provides educators with meaningful information that may not be shared by families or children, and it offers insights into children鈥檚 strengths and preferences. For example, when a preschool educator spends time observing children鈥檚 language skills across different content areas and learning activities, they can start identifying ways to build on each child鈥檚 strengths and to meet their needs: A child with strong communication skills may need additional opportunities to express their thoughts and ideas (such as creating and sharing stories, role-playing in the dramatic play area, or discussing their work and play in detail). A child who has difficulty communicating in certain modes may need supports, such as picture cards to share their wants and needs, time to practice gestures or signs, or opportunities to engage in back-and-forth exchanges with adults and听other children.
When observing, educators can look for and record a variety of skills and characteristics. Some of these may be easier to identify (physical abilities, language, food preferences); some may be more difficult (feelings and emotions, thought processes, culture). Educators can gather vital information by carefully watching and listening each day, in different areas and at different times. To gather meaningful data, they can use a variety of formal and informal techniques, such as running records, anecdotal notes, checklists, and time and听event sampling.
Building Relationships with Families
To build on each child鈥檚 assets, it鈥檚 crucial that educators connect with families. By building these relationships, teachers will gather insights into children鈥檚 individual qualities and interests and their home and cultural contexts. This information is key to recognizing each child鈥檚 unique strengths and to providing a safe, comfortable, and responsive听learning environment.
Preschool educators can tap families鈥� expertise in a variety of ways to strengthen school-to-home and home-to-school connections. At the beginning of each year, for example, Ms. Briana sends home a 鈥淕et to Know Me鈥� page for families to share information. She also reaches out by phone or text to share positive observations about a child鈥檚 first week of school and to invite families鈥� initial questions and thoughts. Besides showing her genuine interest in building reciprocal relationships, these steps guide Ms. Briana as she sets up the learning environment and interacts with each child.听听
Throughout the school year, Ms. Briana continues to build relationships with families by sending home daily notes that include individualized examples of what their children did that day. 鈥嬧�婼he uses small, premade sheets with each center listed. She circles which centers the child participated in that day. The sheet also has blank spaces where Ms. Briana can record the day鈥檚 snack and the child鈥檚 favorite activity. She uses snack time to talk with each child and quickly fill out the form. These notes let families know that Ms. Briana checks in with their children individually each day.听听
Ms. Briana continues to make connections by email, text, and phone calls to share details about children鈥檚 learning and to help work through any issues if necessary. She uses family-educator conferences for more in-depth conversations, offering different days, times, and formats to accommodate families. She uses all of these points of contact to inform her intentional planning.听
Planning听for Individuality
As they gather information about each child, educators can begin individualizing their plans for learning experiences. Rather than focusing on a particular activity or routine, this individualization should encompass the entire learning day鈥攕elf-directed and guided play, small- and large-group experiences, and routines and transitions. Following, we offer some examples of planning听for individualization.
Self-Directed and Guided Play
Preschool settings should be intentionally created to nurture and support play and to address each child鈥檚 unique interests, strengths, and needs. Educators can do this by rotating a variety of materials and toys that children are interested in. These should represent different races, cultures, genders, family structures, and other aspects听of identity.
Small- and Large-Group Times
When children work in groups, they share their individuality and learn from their peers. Educators can scaffold small and large gatherings by planning activities that build on children鈥檚 interests and assets and that encourage them to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings as they work together.
Routines and Transitions
Routines (arrival, mealtime, transitions from one activity to another) are an integral part of preschool. During them, children practice many developmental and learning skills. For example, children work on social skills at snack time by waiting their turn; they practice their language and communication skills when they ask for听a snack.
At the same time, routines can challenge children who are still developing specific skills. Educators can capitalize on these moments to individualize and scaffold instruction, tapping into children鈥檚 strengths and addressing their individual areas听for growth.
Conclusion
Planning for each and every child in an early learning program is an ongoing process that requires continuous commitment. By honoring each child鈥檚 unique strengths and abilities, early childhood educators position individual children for success as they celebrate all of the children and families in听their settings.
Photographs: 漏 Getty Images
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This article supports the following 51吃瓜网 Early Learning Programs standards and topics
Standard 1: Relationships
1A: Building Positive Relationships Between Educators and Families
Standard 3: Teaching
3E: Responding to Children鈥檚 Interests and Needs
Standard 4: Assessment of Child Progress
4E: Communicating with Families and Involving Families in the Assessment Process
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