Session: Learning During the Preschool Years

Preparation

• Write each of the following statements on a different large sheet of paper or poster board: Preschoolers do not think like adults. Preschoolers learn at their level of understanding. Preschoolers have different avenues of learning. Preschoolers differ in how they learn. Place the sheets of paper in the corners of the room with markers.
  
  
• Ask teachers to bring their current teacher's guides to this session and print the article "Learning During the Preschool Years" and make copies for the participants.

Reflect and Practice

1. Begin the session with fellowship and prayer.
   
   
2. Ask participants to select one of the statements in the corners of the room and move to their selected corners. Ask each group to prepare a creative presentation explaining the statement to the whole group. Refer them to the article.
   
   
3. Give each group time to make their presentation and facilitate a brief time of reflection on each presentation. Ask, "How does this fact of learning impact your teaching practices?"
   
   
4. As a total group or in pairs, guide participants to study their teaching guides. Ask them to find examples of the avenues of learning and styles of learning during the next session with their preschoolers.
   
   
5. Close the session with a season of prayer for the personal concerns of your participants. Remind your participants to read the article(s) for the next session.