Talking: Less is More

In her article, "Helping Young Children through Daily Transitions," which forms the basis for the newest Out of the Box Training Kit by the same name, Tara Katz offers this advice about talking to children:

"In early childhood programs, we nurture the children in their first steps as social beings. We help them learn to share and take turns; use their words and not their hands; not to bite others; and that when we hurt a friend, we take care of them by letting them know we are sorry.... We teach some children how to overcome shyness and step toward friends. However, in our work there lies a temptation to talk, talk, talk. When we talk incessantly to children, we break their quiet and agitate their nervous systems. This does not mean we shouldn't talk to children, rather that we should let them talk to us....

"When we let children play with their peers in an uninterrupted way, they enter into their play with a depth that's unattainable if we are constantly asking, 'What are you doing?' and similar superficial questions. When children have an hour of unstructured play, they are naturally ready to come in and have snack, and the transition goes smoothly."

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.

© 2005 Child Care Information Exchange - All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Return to Site