Posts by jmoore:
Communicating with Children is More Difficult Than with Adults
November 2nd, 2012The Fundamental Rules of a Classroom
One of the most difficult jobs in the world is dealing with other people, but dealing with people that lack the comprehension and capability to communicate like those in the real world makes the job that much more difficult. When working with children, understanding and being able to interact with them on a level where both individuals are satisfied may be difficult to reach, that is, without the proper knowledge and experience in doing so. Experience is the only thing that can perfect teaching methods with children, but it does not always ensure proficiency. It is important to keep in mind a few things when working with children, which include:
• Control – The one thing that will make your life easier in a classroom is having control. The trick is to start aggressive and strict the first few days of class and loosen up on the students over time. This way, when needed, the teacher can authorize control when students get too out of hand. When being too nice and a bit of a pushover teacher, students will take advantage of the situation and it can backfire on you later on. Be sure to lay down the rules the first few days of class and establish a mutual understanding with the class of such rules.
• Energy – Having a ton of energy with children keeps them interested and constantly paying attention. No one wants to go to class with a dull teacher that makes learning boring. Consider the fact they have to attend to the same teacher every day, it is important to have energy to make the time fly by quicker, not just for the student, but for you as well. It is important to have more energy than the child, which can be difficult, but it is necessary to have children attentive. It is the most rewarding thing when students have fun in the classroom and name you their favorite teacher.
• Motivation – When working with children, think of a variety of ways to keep them motivated to do well. It is important for a child to pay attention in class and want to work hard to achieve goals. Keep in mind that a small reward such as candy or a point system can be the most basic and encouraging motive for children to work hard. Students tend to be intrigued by competition in a classroom and it will motivate other students to pay attention and have bragging rights as well. Before you know it, you will have a classroom of students paying attention and jumping to answer questions, just be sure to be consistent with such rewards.
These are the most basic things to keep in mind when working with children, but it does take time and practice to master. Not every classroom should be treated the same because the range of students fluctuates. It is important to cater to each class’s needs and make adjustments according to those students you work with. Remember, children are still people; there are different ways to communicate with different kinds of people.
