Essential Teaching Materials and Learning Corners for Early Education
Essential Classroom Resources and Materials
Resources can be defined as any object or instrument that facilitates learning in the context of the classroom.
The appropriate relationship between the material and the educational approach is determined by the methodological approaches of the school’s general program and lesson planning.
Material Usage Across Lesson Phases
Entrance Phase Materials
During the entrance phase, a number of materials can be used to draw the child’s attention, such as:
- Recorded songs
- Objects for greeting
- The classroom mascot
Middle Phase Materials
In the middle of the class, materials help students understand explanations and activities carried out, such as:
- Photographs
- Authentic material
- A film or video
- A story
Farewell Phase Materials
For the farewell, materials should be useful to close the session or, even, link it to the next one. Examples include:
- Coloring pages
- Songs
- Objects that serve to say goodbye (e.g., a handkerchief or a cut-out hand)
Specialized Learning Corners
The Play Corner
The Play Corner is of great importance at these ages. It should include all the materials used in play activities.
The Audio Songs and Music Corner
This corner contains all elements related to oral comprehension and the practice of songs in English.
The Audiovisual Corner
The Audiovisual Corner, with its great motivating load, is highly useful in this stage of teaching.
The Authentic Material Corner
This corner serves to introduce and bring the world of English culture into the classroom context.
The Computer Corner
The Computer Corner includes all materials related to computers and the Internet.
The Storytelling and Drama Corner
This area contains books and related resources for reading and the staging of stories.
The Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)
The Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) is a computer connected to a video projector, used for dynamic teaching.
Storytelling Strategies and Activities
Techniques for Effective Storytelling
To maximize engagement, employ the following techniques:
- Begin with short sessions.
- Have younger children sit on the floor around you.
- Read slowly and clearly.
- Make comments about illustrations.
- Encourage your pupils to take part in the storytelling.
- Use gesture, mime, and facial expressions.
- Vary the pace, tone, and volume of your voice.
- Pause where appropriate.
- Make sound effects where possible.
- Ask questions to involve children.
Storytelling Activities
Effective storytelling activities should:
- Capture their attention.
- Connect to prior knowledge and experiences.
- Review language students have learned.
- Pre-teach new vocabulary or expressions.
- Predict what will happen in the story.
- Give students a purpose for listening.
Engaging Classroom Games
Movement Games
These games ensure the children are physically active.
Card Games
Children collect, give away, exchange, or sort cards. The cards can have a meaning or value in the game, or simply serve as symbols for objects or actions.
Board Games
Any games which mainly involve moving markers along a path.
Dice Games
Dice games are incredibly versatile. Remember that dice need not only have numbers on the faces; they can have anything you like.
Guessing Games
The aim is to guess the answer to a question of some kind.
Pretend Play (Role-Play)
By playing out a character in role-play, children are learning what that particular person says and does, thus learning to use language naturally.
Lullaby Definition
A Lullaby is a song with a melody that is sung softly to young children while you rock them to sleep.