One of the biggest challenges every school teacher face is ensuring that the ideas and values stay with them even after leaving the classroom. This won't always happen, as each child is different, but there are simple tips and tricks to make sure that they remember and apply the lessons they’ve learned.

With this challenge comes various ways to use creative teaching materials and methods that the kids will enjoy.

Teaching materials and methods for kids

1) Visual instructional materials

Visual displays including pocket charts can capture the interest and excitement of children. Visual cues that require contributions also stimulate their young minds. These materials are very flexible wherein teachers can use them when teaching the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes. As a display tool, pockets charts come in various styles and colors to entice the students to participate in the discussion.

2) Audio and video tools

Incorporate audios and videos when teaching but only when necessary. These can be used to better grasp and understand more clearly confusing concepts. Listening skills can also be enhanced by the use of these tools especially by the audio tools, of course. Before you can utilize these though, it would be wise to find out what interests your students are passionate about. Then, look for the tools that will truly resonate with them and tap into their interests.

3) “Real-world” learning

There are various ways to infuse real-world learning in instruction. First is through linking lessons with real-life experiences especially through sharing. The process makes them all the more involved with the discussion because they get to tell a story from their points of view. Second is through actual real-world learning in the forms of community walks, mini field trips, etc. These allow them to explore the world around them. Third is through experimenting using real objects and materials. These methods will make the lessons easier to understand and learn because they were able to see and feel for themselves.

4) Role play and storytelling

Role-playing is already a proven effective teaching method for kids of any age. It develops the kids' interpersonal skills as they step out of their comfort zones and explore a character or role that they know nothing about or very little of. Children learn by doing, making role-playing as effective as it should be. So when they act as if there is someone else they remember it more. Further, storytelling is crucial in teaching. And for those lessons that need visualization, storytelling will be of great help. Since the activity is visually stimulating, the process can help teachers to put highly conceptual and complex ideas across to students. It can be a mode of communication too wherein the students are encouraged to tell a story through a picture.

5) Fun and interactive games

Not all students are keen on one-to-many discussions that tend to get boring due to its repetitive nature. When lessons are introduced through games, the students may not feel that they are learning because of the fun and excitement these materials bring. Puzzles and other such games require creating thinking and problem-solving skills, two critical life skills. Other fun games to do are I Spy, Scavenger Hunt and Simon Says for the sense of adventure and challenge.

You cannot expect children between 3 and 5 years old to sit down all day to learn. You need to make the classroom as inviting and engaging as possible to help stimulate their mind and learn better. Remember that a classroom that has a positive impact on the students also benefits the teacher. A learning environment has a critical role in children's learning and development.

To better grasp, retain and apply new learnings, the teaching materials and methods must be relevant and valuable to the students' lives. It is important to ensure that the materials you use speak to them in the manner that they would understand. If not, it will only lead to confusion. Tap on their experience and interest to increase engagement in the classroom. Consider other factors too such as the students' age.