School Online for Early Childhood?

 This week I wondered how on this Earth all of you are touching live with online preschool/early years.  So as I pondered this I've had some ideas.  Here we go--

• Becky Bailey teaches a brain smart start.  I say give it a go online.  It will have to be brief and keep kiddos moving.  I say start with a quick welcoming song that is easy to learn and is quick.  For example, The Superman Welcome.  To the tune of the Superman Theme.   I'm so glad to be here today. (Stand with hands in the air SM style to the right) I'm so glad that I just have to say---(move hands to the left)  That I'm joyful (right hand on right hip) that I'm Loving (left hand on left him) and I'm ready to win (stomping feet) let the day begin!!!!  Quick and easy and connecting to at least you and child.
• Remember that young children need to move.  Let them move.  Do not keep them sitting for long periods of time.  That won't benefit anyone.
• Provide families with ideas for learning/play center they can create at home.  EX:  Play dough recipes, blocks from food boxes, stacking yogurt containers, share discovery bottle ideas, give them book lists, introduce them to Spotify and suggest good music for children, simple math ideas---you get the picture
• Provide a way for families to ask you questions and reply in a timely manner.  Remember to set a time of day that you don't reply so that you can care for you.
• READ/Sing books that are songs.  Raffi and many others have books to sing!
• Share a booklist of age appropriate books to read and places to find books online.
• Keep your books near your broadcasting area for requests. There is nothing more fun than getting the read it again request!
• Give your families items to start collecting for a creation station,  art, math, science, and writing stations.  Things to collect---food boxes, buttons, paper towel rolls, scrap paper, empty yogurt containers, lids (lg enough not to chole on) fabric scrapes, egg cartons,  plastic spoons, foil, cardboard.....you get the idea.  Share great places to find things for counting--.99 cents store, The Dollar Tree, Goodwill.....
• Breathe :)
• Start with simple books, if you are doing a read aloud online. It will be more difficult to draw a child in online--KEEP IT SIMPLE.  Build up to more text on a page later on.  WATCH your students for cues.  I started many school years with Who Hops by Katie Davis.

I hope these ideas will help you connect with families and your students.  

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie