Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community:
Emerging Literacy: Linking Social Competence to Learning
Module 2
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| Introduction
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| Module 2
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From Cooing to Talking: Partners in Conversation
Handout 9: Teaching Roles (for trainer only)*
Instructions: This handout provides descriptions of six roles that teachers and other adults play when interacting with children. Copy the descriptions for each role on a separate index card. Give an index card to each participant who is assuming the role of teacher.
- Director: Tell the children what to do, make suggestions, and ask lots of questions. For example: Put all the red blocks over here. Make a pattern with the blocks--red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow. Can you show me four blocks?
- Entertainer: Join in with the children. Sit down with them and talk about what you're doing. Keep talking so that the children cannot talk. For example: These blocks are so much fun. I'm going to make a train with my blocks. Trains are fun, too. They go choo, choo. We saw a train yesterday, didn't we? It was big and made lots of noise.
- Timekeeper: Rush through the activity so you can stay on schedule. Do not stop to listen to anyone. For example: Okay, children, we have only a few minutes to play with these toys. Get started now because we'll have to clean up soon.
- Silent Watcher: Sit with the children but do not talk to them, even if they ask you questions or seek
your attention.
- Rescuer: Assume that the children cannot speak for themselves. Step in repeatedly to offer help or do things for them. For example: You don't have enough blocks to play with. Let me give you some more. I'll show you how to make a pretty pattern with them. Did she take your blocks? Here, I'll get them back for you.
- Responder: Watch, listen, and learn what each child wants to do or what he or she needs. Respond in ways that allow individual children to talk with you and with each other. For example: Tracey, tell me about your building. Jan, you and Drew made similar designs with your blocks.
*Based on Elaine Weitzman, Learning Language and Loving It: A Guide to Promoting Children's Social and Language Development in Early Childhood Settings (Toronto: The Hanen Centre, 1992), 15-17.
Copyright © 1999 Head Start Publications Management Center. All rights reserved.
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