Introduction
Teaching children is a complex and responsible task that requires using specific strategies. The age’s peculiarities impact the strategies’ choice and effectiveness. Thus, young learners up to 8 years old might have difficulties focusing on learning activities for prolonged periods (Peterson, 2020). Additionally, they should be engaged in the process to demonstrate desired outcomes.
From this perspective, play is a vital medium ensuring that children will be motivated and want to cooperate with the teacher. Using prop boxes is one of the possible methods to teach young learners science. The proposed plan consists of three major themes that can be used during various sessions. Their rotation might be spontaneous as all topics are interconnected and focus on developing similar skills and knowledge.
Theme 1: Weather
Weather is the first theme that might be taught in terms of science. Children should be explained such aspects as temperature, weather elements, wind, and power. For this reason, the first prop box should contain the alcohol-filled thermometer, small weathercock, icons depicting various weather conditions, and specific parts of clothes, such as a raincoat, sunhat, scarf, or warm hat. These elements will be required to teach young students the basics of science, including how the temperature is measured and presented by news and how to dress appropriately.
Several learning goals support the proposed prop box. First, students should learn how to use thermometers and understand the results of their measurements. Second, the speed of wind by using the weathercock should be explained. The third important goal is to show the correlation between the temperature and the clothes. Generally, the basic skills linked to daily tasks can be cultivated (Peterson, 2020).
Children must pick a specific part of their clothes based on the teacher’s comments about temperature and weather conditions. In such a way, the three goals can be achieved by using the prop box and its objects. Additionally, using the objects from the box, it is possible to perform multiple activities, such as measuring temperature in the room or outside and creating a list of observations to track how the temperature changes during the day.
Theme 2: Astronomy
Astronomy is another important theme that can be taught by using prop boxes. The basic knowledge about the planet is essential for children at that age (Peterson, 2020). The box can consist of the models or the planets from the solar system and the sun (cards with images can replace the models). It is essential to explain the place of the Earth, Moon, and Sun and how they interact. In such a way, using cards, children should build a circle of planets around the start and place the Moon close to the Earth. The activity might be complex for learners who are too young and require additional explanation from a teacher.
Using the prop box, specific learning goals can be achieved. First, children will acquire the basic knowledge of astronomy and how the Solar system functions. Second, they will acquire an understanding of the Earth, its place, how it moves around the sun, and the Moon, which is essential for life on the planet. Third, children will learn math basics as the planets go in circles, which means learners will understand this shape. The objects can perform multiple activities, such as finding the Earth, Moon, or Sun by their names.
Theme 3: Geography
Geography is the third theme selected for using prop boxes. Children should know about their state, its place on the map, and how the planet looks on the global map. For this reason, the box should contain a globe, a bigger map, and a map with empty spaces. They should be filled with cards shaped in the form of missing countries. The activity implies several goals that should be achieved.
First, the children should understand how the planet looks on the globe. Second, they should be taught how to find their state on the globe and the map. Third, they should know the shapes of the biggest and known countries and be ready to place them on the map. The activities can be altered by asking children about the countries they know and finding them on the map. It will also cultivate their knowledge of geography.
Rotation
The prop boxes can be rotated to attain the best results. First, the astronomy theme can be offered to create an essential representation of how the planet looks and its place in the universe. Second, the box devoted to geography can be used. Finally, playing with the offered toys can explore the weather topic. However, the other order can be used as the knowledge areas are interchangeable, and every box can be used when needed. The recommended age is 5-8 to ensure the best understanding.
Conclusion
Altogether, prop boxes are a potent tool for engaging children in play and ensuring they are ready to learn. The proposed themes, such as weather, geography, and astronomy, might be discussed with children by interacting with the selected objects. The opportunity to perform multiple activities and rotate the topics enhances the practical value of the selected method and can guarantee that the best outcomes are attained. The approach contributes to the increased ability to focus on specific tasks for long periods and, at the same time, is more understandable and amusing for young learners, which makes them more involved.
Reference
Peterson, A. (2020). Teach, play, learn!: How to create a purposeful play-driven classroom. Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated.