Teaching methods for children

A classroom is not merely a learning space for academics but something way more. It is a place where children learn, experience, analyze and build personalities. Teaching children is a tough task at hand. Imparting certain ideas in a child’s brain, making them understand the concepts, answering all their questions, and handling a group of kids is not easy. Thus, the teachers are accordingly trained and they have different methods of teaching.

· Teacher centered teaching

This teaching method is the traditional teaching method where the classroom’s attention is concentrated on the teacher. All the students are seated individually, facing the teacher while she/he explains the concepts. The teacher also assigns individual work or assignments. Here the children get to work on their personal growth. However, they do not get a chance to enhance their social skills such as collaboration, debate, critical thinking and et cetera.

· Student-centered teaching

In this method, the focus is turned on the children rather than on the teacher. The children are made to sit in small groups and can move about the classroom. Here, children may even choose the topic they wish to learn about. Teachers also lay out ground rules to avoid behavior problems. This installs a sense of responsibility in students. Although it might be challenging to achieve the required standards of responsibility and discipline, this builds self-confidence in students. This method can sometimes be difficult to handle for the teachers. when effectively employed, the outcomes are very positive.

· Visualization

This method is all about visual and practical learning. Not all concepts seem interesting for children. In that case, providing videos and pictures based on the topic will help them understand better and acknowledge how the concepts are applied in the real world.

· Cooperative learning

Children with mixed abilities and skills are put into small groups and are assigned activities or tasks where the students can express their ideas, discuss and respond to the ideas of their peers. This develops communication skills, self-confidence, analytic skills, and understanding which play a vital role in life. Solving puzzles, experimenting, educational games, short drama, or sketches are a few examples through which cooperative learning can be established.

· Inquiry-based learning

When a student asks questions, it is a sign that he or she is learning. This is what inquiry-based learning is. Asking questions goes both ways in a classroom it is either the teacher asking thought-provoking questions for students to think and process what know or have learned or the student asking doubts or logical answers to their questions. Inquiries can be both academic and subjective. This inspires individual learning in children.

- Vaishnavi Preethi