“A straight tree is not afraid of standing dead, an honest person is not afraid of bad reputation,” this proverb is certainly familiar to us. But for preschool teachers, this proverb carries a deeper meaning. Because every day, teachers face dozens of “Why?”, “How?”, “Because of what?” questions from mischievous, innocent children. And to answer those questions, to sow the seeds of knowledge and nurture their souls, teachers need secret “weapons” – which are preschool teaching aids.
The Role of Preschool Teaching Aids
“Teaching without teaching aids is like cooking without fire, building a house without bricks” (Education Expert Nguyen Van A, quoted from the book “Preschool Education – Wings of Dreams”). This saying clearly affirms the important role of teaching aids in improving the effectiveness of preschool education.
Preschool teaching aids are not only visual aids, helping children easily absorb knowledge, but also play an important role in stimulating curiosity, creativity, practicing motor skills, developing language and communication skills, helping children learn naturally and effectively.
Preschool Teaching Aids Plan: Necessary Steps
To have appropriate and effective preschool teaching aids, teachers need to plan in a scientific and methodical way. Here are the necessary steps:
1. Define Objectives and Target Audience
The first step is for teachers to clearly define the objectives and target audience of the plan. Objectives may include:
- Developing fine and gross motor skills for children.
- Enhancing children’s ability to recognize colors, shapes, and sizes.
- Training children’s communication and language skills.
- Developing logical thinking and problem-solving skills for children.
At the same time, teachers also need to identify the target audience as children of what age, what are their psychological characteristics, in order to choose appropriate types of tools that are easy to use, attract attention, and stimulate their curiosity.
2. Choose Themes and Content
After determining the objectives and target audience, teachers need to choose themes and content that are appropriate for the curriculum, age psychology, and children’s ability to learn.
For example: If a teacher wants to teach children about animals, they can choose the theme “Animal World”, including content such as:
- Introducing animals: Names, physical characteristics, habitats, food…
- Sounds of animals: Calls, noises.
- Game: Simulating animal activities.
3. Select Materials and Methods
The next step is for teachers to choose materials and methods that are appropriate for the theme, content, and their own abilities.
Easy-to-find, inexpensive materials can be used such as:
- Paper, cardboard, carton.
- Fabric, wool, cotton.
- Wood, plastic, metal.
- Bottle caps, cans, bottles, other recycled items.
Methods can include:
- Paper folding, cutting, pasting, drawing techniques.
- Sewing, embroidery, crochet techniques.
- Knitting, braiding, crafting techniques.
4. Design and Construction
After selecting materials and methods, teachers need to design and construct teaching aids.
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Design:
- Creative: Teaching aids need to be unique and attract children’s attention.
- Safe: Ensure safety for children when using them.
- Easy to use: Easy for teachers to operate and for children to explore themselves.
- Aesthetic: Beautiful and attractive to children.
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Construction:
- Prepare sufficient tools and materials.
- Implement according to the designed plan.
- Check and evaluate the results.
5. Usage and Maintenance
After completing the teaching aids, teachers need to use and maintain them properly to ensure longevity and effectiveness.
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Usage:
- Use teaching aids in learning and playing activities that are appropriate for the set objectives and content.
- Conduct activities in combination with teaching aids to create learning excitement for children.
- Teach children how to use teaching aids safely and effectively.
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Maintenance:
- Clean teaching aids after each use.
- Store teaching aids in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place, avoiding mold.
- Repair and replace promptly when teaching aids are damaged.
Notes When Making Preschool Teaching Aids
- Creative: Create unique teaching aids that attract children’s attention and create learning excitement for them.
- Safe: Always put safety first, ensuring teaching aids do not pose a danger to children when used.
- Practical: Use teaching aids that are related to real life, helping children easily absorb knowledge and apply it to life.
- Diverse: Use a variety of teaching aids, combining multiple senses to create interest and stimulate children’s learning abilities.
- Environmentally friendly: Use recycled, environmentally friendly materials, contributing to protecting the living environment for children.
- Collaboration with teachers and parents: There should be the participation of teachers and parents in making teaching aids, creating consensus and contributing to improving the effectiveness of preschool education.
Story of Teacher Lan and the Teaching Aids Plan
Teacher Lan is an experienced preschool teacher who always believes: “Teach children with all your heart”. Every year, she spends a lot of time and effort planning to make teaching aids for her class. She is always looking for and creating unique teaching aids that attract attention and stimulate children’s learning abilities.
This year, Teacher Lan wants to teach children about animals, so she plans to make “Animal World” teaching aids. She chooses materials such as paper, cardboard, carton, felt, bottle caps, cans, and other recycled items to create funny and lovely animals.
To increase interaction and attract children, Teacher Lan designed games:
- Game “Who is Who?”: Children will look at animal images and guess the name of that animal.
- Game “Animal Sounds”: Children will listen to animal sounds and guess the name of that animal.
- Game “Simulating Animal Activities”: Children will play the role of animals and simulate their activities.
The results were surprising! The students were very excited about the funny animals and attractive games made by Teacher Lan. They learned a lot of knowledge about animals, practiced communication skills, language, motor skills, and logical thinking abilities.
Suggestions for Preschool Teachers
- Refer to materials and books on making preschool teaching aids.
- Participate in training classes and workshops on making preschool teaching aids.
- Exchange experiences with other teachers on making preschool teaching aids.
- Utilize recycled items to create unique and cost-effective teaching aids.
Conclusion
Making preschool teaching aids is a job that requires creativity, dedication, and persistence. In addition to creating unique teaching aids that attract children’s attention, teachers need to always put safety first.
Let’s join hands to create effective teaching aids, contributing to improving the quality of preschool education, helping children learn in a fun, natural, and effective way.
Leave your comments about this article! Would you like to share your experience making teaching aids? Or would you like to learn more about other topics related to preschool education?
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