There is a wealth of research that has shown how the relationship between the teacher and child is central to teacher effectiveness. You can do some reading and PD on that. I also recommend that the staff do some self-reflection on their social emotional modeling and how they are (or are not) modeling social interactions. See this SEL Self-assessment tool:
https://www.gtlcenter.org/sites/default/files/SelfAssessmentSEL.pdf, since social interactions are the first skill area addressed.
A focus on play or on SEL in general should wake teachers up to the problem with being too directive.
NAEYC has online modules on Developmental Appropriate practice (DAP) which I believe will talk about the importance of the relationship between the teacher and child. See
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pd/online-learning/focus-preschoolersIf your teachers are directing too much, they are not likely to know how to gently guide play, and important teaching skill that also requires a trusting relationship between teacher and student. See the webinar on this at
https://www.naeyc.org/events/trainings-webinars/recorded-webinars (Enhancing Knowledge and Skill Development by Gently Guiding Play).
A recent article on the teacher's role would also require teachers to consider when to guide and when to direct: Observing, Planning, Guiding: How an Intentional Teacher Meets Standards through Play (see:
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2018/observing-planning-guiding)I hope this is helpful.
Jane
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Jane Haltiwanger
Dept. of Elem. and Secondary Education
Malden MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2018 11:44 PM
From: Dawn Underwood
Subject: Looking for Teacher Training on interacting with children.
Hi All
i have new teachers that use very directive speech with their students. Do this..., Do that..., Stop..., etc. all day long. Does anyone have a training they recommend how to talk to preschool children, open ended questions to ask, scaffolding, etc?
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Dawn
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