Episode 12: Engaging Preschoolers with Green Screens
Speech-language pathologist Rabia Foreman describes how she uses green screens to help engage three-year-olds in remote learning. (10 min.)
Facilitator Guide
- Early Care and Education Environment Indicators and Elements of High-Quality Inclusion: E6: Instruction
- DEC Recommended Practices: Environment, Instruction
As you watch this episode, take note of the creative ways Rabia uses the green screen to keep her students engaged, including the resources she uses. Also keep in mind how her enthusiasm and excitement also keeps the children engaged.
Reflection Questions
- Rabia Foreman completely transformed her instructional environment to align with the needs of the children she supports. Describe a time you changed (or observed another educator change) made such a transformation. What was the thought processes, and how did changing the environment impact learning?
- This episode features multiple examples of how to use visuals to support learning, engagement, and interaction. Reflect on your own practice (or instructional practices you have observed). How have you used visuals to adapt a lesson or routine to improve a child's experience with and access to learning? What about their families?
- This episode features examples of providing options so children can make choices. How have you improved interaction and attention by providing options and incorporating the interests and preferences of the children you support?
- How have you engaged children with hearing and vision impairments during remote learning? What assistive technology have you explored during the pandemic for yourself and the children and families you serve?
- Rabia Foreman expressed initial discomfort with changing the way she provided support to children, and searched the internet to find information and examples. Describe a time when you had to change your practices and environment. What resources, professional learning, or other support have you found useful when making these kinds of changes?
- By shifting and challenging herself to respond to the needs of her learners, Rabia Foreman experienced renewed motivation, optimism, and passion in her work and improved learner engagement. Describe a time when you made a shift or change in the way you supported learning and how that encouraged and motivated you as a professional. How did the children and families you support also benefit from that experience?
Group Activity
A Small Change to the Environment
The video showed how making small changes to the environment can support individualization and meet the needs of all learners. Let's experience how a small change to our learning environment might affect our ability to learn.
Virtual Option: Take a moment to go into another part of your house or office space and find something to make your space more comfortable. Share with the group the change you made. At the end of the session, bring the group back together to reflect on their experiences of the instructional environment or work environment. How did that small change impact your ability to interact, work or learn?
In-Person Option: Consider the environment that adults are using to learn during the workshop. Rearrange the seating and ask how the different arrangements impact the ability to interact and learn? Was learning influenced by being seated in a circle versus being seated in a classroom-style arrangement? How did it affect peer-to-peer engagement?
