Teachers and children interact with each other all day long. Let's call these "everyday" interactions. In the typical classroom, most everyday interactions are perfectly fine--warm, caring, and encouraging. Sometimes they happen spontaneously, sometimes in a rush, often with little thought about a purpose. Children may or may not learn from them. Sometimes children learn what the teacher intends to teach, but other times they learn unintended lessons. Not every interaction a teacher has with children can be--or even needs to be--an interaction that promotes their learning. But we might expect that many would have learning as the goal. At the other end of the continuum from everyday interactions are what we call "Powerful Interactions"--very intentional and purposeful exchanges between a teacher and a child that can have a significant and highly positive impact on learning. In a Powerful Interaction, the teacher intentionally connects with a particular child in order to extend that child's learning. You launch a Powerful Interaction when you make a conscious decision to say or do something that conveys to the child, "I notice you, I'm interested in you, and I want to know you better." This moment of personal connection builds upon the trust and security that exists between the two of you. Within a trusting and secure relationship, a child is more open to learn from the guidance and instruction you offer. How Do You Turn an Everyday Interaction into a Powerful Interaction? You can transform an everyday interaction into a Powerful Interaction using three steps. Step One--Be Present When you are "present" you are in the moment and self-aware, and therefore you can be more open to the interesting and significant things that children do. By physically and mentally slowing down for just a few moments, you can pay better attention. This frame of mind allows you to be intentional; that is, before you act, to tune in to what a child is doing at that moment, how you are feeling, and what you want to accomplish. Being intentional in this way means you think about what to say and do in the interaction to be most effective as a teacher for that child. Step Two--Connect You acknowledge and validate children by letting them know you see them, are interested in them, and want to spend time with them. Connecting in this way awakens the sense of trust and security that previous positive interactions between you and the child are helping to develop. As your relationships with children grow deeper, children feel more confident and focused, and they are more open to learning from you. Positive relationships lay the foundation for children's exploration and learning. Positive relationships also enhance the likelihood of children's engagement and achievement in school. Step Three--Extend Learning When you extend a child's knowledge and understanding hand-in-hand with nurturing a positive relationship with that child, you create the perfect moment for you to teach and the child to learn. During the few minutes of a Powerful Interaction, children are open to your adding to their knowledge, encouraging them to try new things and think in new ways, modeling language, introducing interesting new vocabulary, and other learning possibilities. Excerpted from Powerful Interactions: How to Connect with Children to Extend Their Learning, Second Edition by Amy Laura Dombro, Judy Jablon, Charlotte Stetson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
