When it is time for the children to go to centers, give the children choices about what they can do. “Would you like to build in the Block Center or paint in the Art Center?” Encourage the children to make their own decisions, and not to follow you or their friends.
Allowing the children to make their own decisions will build their self-confidence and make them more aware of what they can do for themselves. They will increase their vocabularies and learn to relate with adults and peers.
If two or more children are fighting to play with the same toy, model how to properly share the toy. Teach the children to use their words to ask for the toy rather than pulling it out of a friend’s hands, and insist on them saying, “Please,” and “Thank you.”
Figuring out how to handle conflict and to solve problems is something the children will benefit from for the rest of their lives. They will learn to relate to one another and build their vocabularies as they do so.
When it is time to head outside, have the children try to get themselves ready. Ask them to get their coats from their cubbies and assist them as needed. When the children have successfully put their coats on, congratulate them for completing a challenging activity.
As the children increase their levels of independence, they are also learning to rely on you and other adults to help them as needed. They are building their oral language and problem-solving skills, too.