Family Time: Here, There, Everywhere! Week 3

FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING

Conversation: A dialogue between two partners is a conversation when it consists of multiple, balanced turns around a shared topic. Unlike other types of communication, which involve communicating concrete needs, wants, or delivering instructions, conversation focuses on interaction. Conversational interactions with young children, like the one about frogs in Frog Kiss, should involve:
- short turn taking, in which the adult and child engage in actions with or without objects
- following the child’s lead in terms of interest
- a playful atmosphere – enjoy the time spent together
- modeling communication techniques, including “commenting”, “describing”, and “requesting information”

The Value of Play: Play is a natural activity for children. The child at play is self-motivated and actively engaged. Whereas games are governed by rules, the value of play is that it provides freedom from evaluation and judgment. The freedom of a playful atmosphere fosters intellectual development as well as self-construction and the development of personality.

Awareness of Meter and Steady Beat: When attention is focused on the first beat or syllable of each measure, children are encouraged to become aware of larger groupings or the meter in music. Focusing attention on the smaller rhythmic subdivisions within each measure encourages children to become aware of steady beat. The awareness of meter and steady beat develops an aural listening capacity in the child that will help her better perceive nuances and meaning in spoken language.