Literature and language activities for toddlers and pre-schoolers


Don’t force the children to keep quiet during the show, because then there will be no creativity and it won’t be an enjoyable experience. Rather have an educarer present that can help with supervision during the show. Restless children are seated quite unobtrusively near the educarer. Te presenter can talk directly to a restless child. Te presenter must therefore have a clear view of the audience.


Before starting a show, it is a good idea to have JOURNAL TIME (introduction). Tis will help the puppeteer to get used to the idea of children answering or addressing the puppets.


If the children get used to creative puppet shows, they will love the idea of handling the puppets themselves. Don’t let them use the puppets that are used during show-time. Have a few especially for that purpose.


6.9 The book or pictures


By looking at pictures, children can see what the story is about, e.g. if the story is about a farm, pictures of the farmer, animals and plants, help children to understand the story better. a) Draw or cut out of magazines clear, fairly large pictures. Paste them on sturdy cardboard. b) Pictures should be coloured, large and clear, without too much detail.


Note Younger children will need simple and clear pictures. Older children will be able to understand pictures that have more details or objects in them.


c) Proportions should be depicted correctly, e.g. a hen should be smaller than a sheep. d) Colour should be used realistically, e.g. a purple cow would be wrong.


6.10 The reading method of story telling


Having books read to them introduces the young children to another form of communication, namely, the symbolic system of pictures and words which act as symbols for spoken language.


When books are read aloud to the children, it should not be done with children in large groups, only two or three children at a time. Te educarer can sit with them in the book corner or in the garden and they all “read” together.


Te children look in the book at the pictures and words as the educarer is reading. In this way, they come to realise that pictures and words have meaning.


7. Making up your own stories


It is not too difficult to make up your own stories. Working with children every day will “force” you to do so. Children always like to hear a story and when there is a minute to spare, tell a story.


First decide on the characters. A little boy/girl must be in the story. Tey can identify with the child. Something can happen to the child, but the ending must be happy. Keep in mind the criteria for suitable stories. You can use the same character(s) every time and let something else happen to him/her/them. With the older children, you can start a story and ask them to complete it. Help them when they get stuck.


Te more you do this, the easier it will be. Do not underestimate yourself and think that you cannot do it. Te children admire you and will not laugh at you.


FutureManagers 85


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