Encouraging Educators To Actively Engage With Children

Shifting toward a more interactive culture requires intentional, supportive practice. Here are some ideas to encourage educators to actively engage with children.

1. Lead by Example: Educators who naturally use interactive strategies can model these behaviors during team meetings or by inviting colleagues to observe a session. When others see the positive response from children—such as increased excitement or participation—they’re more likely to try similar methods in their own practice.

2. Reflect and Share Experiences: Create opportunities for educators to reflect on what works. For example, debrief sessions after implementing a new storytime, singing session, or play activity can help staff identify strengths and areas for growth. Sharing anecdotes like “I noticed the children dancing along when I changed the rhythm of a song” can be motivating and build confidence.

3. Regular Professional Development: Workshops, in-house training sessions, or peer-led micro-lessons focused on interactive techniques (storytelling, music and movement, role-play) can introduce educators to creative approaches. Training might include practice with using expressive props, imaginative costumes, or even simple instruments that transform a reading session into a lively performative experience.

4. Collaborative Planning and Observation: Encourage educators to collaborate on planning active learning sessions. Creating a shared repository of ideas—even simple song routines or movement games—can spark collective creativity. Additionally, structured peer observations allow staff to experience firsthand the impact of active engagement, and then discuss what they observed and enjoyed.

5. Technology as a Supplement, Not a Substitute: Don't rely just on iPads with songs. A balanced approach would be to use technology to complement live interactions. For instance, educators might use an interactive app to introduce a concept and then follow it up with discussions, physical activities, or a creative story inspired by the app’s content.

6. Mentorship and Supportive Feedback: For educators who may be hesitant or less experienced with dynamic engagement, pairing them with a mentor can provide personalized support. Constructive feedback, highlighting even small improvements, can be encouraging. Recognizing and celebrating moments when educators use their personality and imagination to involve children helps to sustain momentum.

7. Foster a Culture of Play: Organize center-wide initiatives—like “engagement weeks” where all staff commit to a new interactive activity each day. When the entire team embraces active engagement, it becomes part of the center’s culture rather than an individual effort. This approach reinforces that creative interaction is a valued aspect of early childhood education.

8. Observe and Adapt Based on Child Responses: Encourage educators to pay attention to children’s cues. The inherent curiosity and responsiveness of toddlers can be delightful feedback. For instance, if an educator notices that a simple change in tone during storytelling elicits giggles or active participation, it validates the power of engagement and makes it a self-reinforcing process.

Why Active Engagement Is Effective

Studies have shown that when educators actively engage children through multi-sensory experiences, it not only boosts language and motor skills but also enhances social-emotional development.

Below are some key research findings and theoretical frameworks that support why active engagement is so effective in early childhood education:

1. Active Learning Enhances Cognitive Development

   • Freeman et al. (2014): In a meta-analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that active learning strategies—which require learners to participate actively rather than passively receiving information—produce significantly better academic outcomes. Although this study focused on older students, similar principles have been observed in preschool settings where interactive play and problem-solving activities boost cognitive skills.

2. Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory

   • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Lev Vygotsky’s seminal work emphasizes that children learn most effectively when they work within their ZPD with guidance from more knowledgeable others. This theory supports the idea that active engagement—such as interactive storytelling, role-play, or guided exploration—helps children bridge the gap between what they already know and new concepts. Educators acting as scaffolds lead to improved language, reasoning, and social skills.

3. Quality Teacher-Child Interactions and Social-Emotional Growth

   • Mashburn et al. (2008): Research in early childhood settings has consistently demonstrated that high-quality teacher–child interactions—marked by warmth, responsiveness, and active engagement—are closely linked to improved school readiness, language development, and social competence. When educators actively engage with children, it fosters an environment where children feel valued, understood, and motivated to learn.

4. Play-Based Learning and Holistic Development

   • NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): A wealth of research compiled by the NAEYC and other early education organizations reinforces that play-based, interactive learning environments support not only cognitive development but also emotional and social growth. Educators who integrate play into the day—like interactive art projects, music and movement, or outdoor explorations—help children learn self-regulation, cooperation, and creative problem-solving.

5. Engaging the Whole Child: Integrating Movement and Mindfulness

   • Diamond (2013): Studies on executive functions have shown that activities merging physical movement with mental tasks (for example, dance or movement-based games complemented with storytelling) enhance a child’s self-regulation, attention, and executive functioning skills. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating varied, active engagement methods to support the whole child.

Putting Research Into Practice

 

Research has consistently shown that active engagement not only boosts children's cognitive skills but also enhances their social-emotional development. Translating these findings into everyday practices in an educational setting involves thoughtful planning, supportive culture, and routine reflection. Here are several concrete strategies for implementation:

1. Daily Routine Integration

What It Means: Incorporate scheduled, predictable moments in the day when active learning becomes the norm.

How to Do It:

• Morning Circles: Begin with interactive greetings, songs, or storytelling that invite children to participate actively.

• Interactive Transitions: Instead of waiting passively between activities, use transition times for short, engaging activities—like a quick dance or a call-and-response song.

• Structured Play Times: Designate specific times where educators lead thematic mini-lessons through play. For example, a “science corner” where children are encouraged to explore materials under the educator’s guidance.

2. Modeling and Peer Observation

What It Means: Educators learn by seeing active engagement in action.

How to Do It:

• Peer Observations: Allow educators to observe colleagues who effectively use active engagement methods. For instance, a colleague might model interactive storytelling or a lively role-playing session.

• Co-Teaching Sessions: Pair up less experienced educators with mentors during a demonstration of techniques like music and movement or guided sensory play.

• Reflective Discussions: After observations, hold debrief sessions where teachers share what strategies resonated with them and discuss practical adaptations.

3. Professional Development & Reflective Practices

What It Means: Ongoing training and reflective practice help educators internalize and refine active engagement techniques.

How to Do It:

• Workshops: Organize professional learning sessions focused on the evidence and the “how-to” of active engagement. Workshops might include hands-on activities that require role-playing or the development of interactive games.

• Reflective Journals: Encourage educators to document their daily experiences, noting instances where active engagement sparked curiosity or joy in children. Reflecting on these moments helps solidify new practices.

• Feedback Loops: Integrate regular, structured feedback sessions where educators discuss successes, challenges, and new ideas. This could be a quick weekly meeting where one educator shares a successful strategy, linking it back to research such as Vygotsky’s theories on scaffolding.

4. Creating an Environment That Supports Active Engagement

What It Means: The physical and organizational environment should encourage interaction and exploration.

How to Do It:

• Dedicated Learning Centers: Arrange the classroom so that there are varied centers dedicated to sensory play, reading, art, and movement. This lets educators naturally shift into an active engagement role as children move between these areas.

• Flexible Space: Use movable furniture or designated activity corners that adapt to different interactive sessions—whether it’s storytime with props or a mini science experiment.

• Tech Integration: When using technology, ensure it serves as a launchpad for further active exploration rather than a passive distraction. For example, an interactive whiteboard might start an educational game that is then followed up with a group role-play related to the digital content.

5. Scaffolding and Guided Participation

What It Means: Build on Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) by starting with educator-guided activities and gradually letting children take more control.

How to Do It:

• Step-by-Step Guidance: Use structured approaches where the educator first models a behavior (like dancing or acting out a story), then invites children to join, and eventually allows them to lead portions of the activity.

• Group Activities: Plan sessions where children are encouraged to collaborate, such as creating a group mural or participating in a simple science experiment. This ensures that active engagement is scaffolded by peer interaction as well as adult guidance.

How Research Supports These Practices

• Freeman et al. (2014): Active learning strategies improve cognitive outcomes, suggesting that daily, interactive sessions can lead to more profound learning.

• Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory: Emphasizes the importance of scaffolding in the Zone of Proximal Development, which is naturally incorporated into guided active engagement.

• Mashburn et al. (2008): High-quality educator–child interactions correlate strongly with improved socio-emotional development, lending support to the methods of modeling and reflective feedback.

• NAEYC Research: Active playgrounds, learning centers, and play-based learning not only reinforce cognitive skills but also nurture emotional and social growth.

Next Steps

• Pilot a "Theme Week": Introduce a pilot program where one week’s activities are centered on active engagement, then assess its impact through observation and child feedback.

• Mentorship Pairing: Identify educators who are strong in active practices and pair them with peers who might be less comfortable with these methods.

• Share Success Stories: Create a platform (like monthly meetings or a shared digital space) for educators to celebrate active engagement moments and exchange ideas.

Transforming a setting from one where educators primarily rely on passive tools (like iPads) to one where direct human interaction flourishes doesn’t happen overnight. It requires intentional mmodeling professional learning, and a culture that values creative risk-taking and reflective practice. As more educators see the measurable benefits—children becoming more expressive, confident, and engaged—the entire team can evolve together in creating a vibrant educational environment.