The

Teachers Role

Chapter 2

2009 Cengage Learning.

Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
Determining Childrens Developmental Levels
Use the 3-M Method for Observing Child Interac=on
with materials: manipula=on, mastery and meaning
Focus on spontaneous exploratory interac=ons with
materials and ac=vi=es
Stages of Interac=on
Simply observe children at work and play- iden=fy
stages
Time Frame
Watch children construct knowledge through
interac=on with materials

2009 Cengage Learning.

Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
The 3-M Method for Observa=on: Stages of Interac=on
Manipula=on or exploratory play
Children do not know how these things work and will
try them out in a variety of ways un=l they learn what
they do and how to do it
Mastery or prac=ce play
Children begin to control the medium they are working
with and repeat an ac=on again and again
Meaning or symbolic play
Children have control over the medium and are ready
to add their own meaning to the ac=vity

2009 Cengage Learning.

Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
The Teachers Task
1. Observe and Listen to Children in Learning
Centers
2. Record the Observa=ons
3. Respond to Individuals as They Work and
Play
4. Serve as a Behavior Model for the Children

2009 Cengage Learning.

Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
Observing childrens interac=ons with materials
Observing childrens interac=ons with one
another
Note how children are interac=ng socially with
one another
Listening to what children say
Keep carefully tuned to what children are
saying as they interact
2009 Cengage Learning.
Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
Recording Observa=ons
Make on-the-spot recording of the child
observa=ons
Write down how child uses materials,
interacts with peers, and talks about it all

2009 Cengage Learning.

Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
The Child Interac=on Form
An observa=on tool for data collec=on helps
observers focus on behavior
Interpre=ve informa=on recorded at the same
=me the observa=on is made or later on
Data serve as the basis for individual planning

2009 Cengage Learning.

Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
RESPOND TO INDIVIDUALS AS THEY WORK AND PLAY
Give the children support, encouragement, and
direc=on
Make comments that reect what the teacher
sees
Ask ques=ons in a way that elicit statements
about the childs work
Avoid terms of judgment
2009 Cengage Learning.
Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.
 The Teachers Role
Serving as a behavior model for the children
Facilitator of learningput self in place of child
Set the stage and lead the way about caring
Present themselves as happy, condent people
Show delight in what they are doing
Listen seriously to children
Do not talk down to children
Treat others as they would like to be treated
Add beauty to the learning environment
2009 Cengage Learning.
Preschool Appropriate Prac=ces All Rights Reserved.