Parental Involvement in Kindergarten Show & Tells

Here's a little-known secret from the kindergarten classroom: most teachers dread show and tell time. The purpose of show and tell is to encourage communication skills and make home-to-school connections, but show and tell often breaks down into nothing more than a display of commercialism, as each child shows off the latest toys. This situation can foster feelings of inferiority and competition among the children -- the last thing a kindergarten teacher hopes for. As a parent, you can play a role in bringing meaning and value back to the show and tell experience.

  1. Follow the Guidelines

    • Ask the teacher what her preferences are for show and tell. Some teachers prefer that show and tell items be strictly educational, while others allow the occasional toys. Abide by her requests, and you'll garner her appreciation. Bring only one object, and avoid sending in things that are valuable or fragile. Label items with your child's name. Talk with your child about the rules for show and tell, such as raising hands or talking one at a time.

    Pay Attention to Themes

    • Teachers often request that children bring in items that relate to a certain theme, such as "letter of the week" or a study on plants, farm animals or the ocean. Help your child pick out an object that goes with the theme. If your child is desperate to share a favorite toy, try to find a way to tie the toy into the theme. Teachers understand that sometimes kids just have to share something that doesn't quite fit with the topic of study. Sometimes, teachers even use these special interests as a springboard for learning.

    Offer Instruction

    • To get the most out of show and tell, give your child a few prompts about what to say. Help your child identify two or three interesting ideas or facts about the object. If your child is shy, this strategy helps boost confidence because she knows what to say. For the social butterfly who could talk for hours, this strategy helps focus her thoughts so she can stay on topic.

    Make It Meaningful

    • The best kinds of show-and-tell experiences are those that are truly meaningful to your child. Talk with the teacher ahead of time about bringing in something special, such as photos or souvenirs from a favorite vacation or a beloved book. Perhaps your child could share a talent or play a musical instrument. A grandparent or new baby could make a visit to the classroom. Most teachers will even allow a pet to visit with advance notice.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Addressing Issues Central to Home Life with an Autistic Child
      Addressing Issues Central to Home Life with an Autistic Child Toilet training. This can be difficult for some, easy for others. Some children who have sensory processing issues and poor muscle control may not feel when they have the need to urinate,
    • Teaching Math for Homeschoolers
      Teaching Math for Homeschoolers Isabel Shaw One Step AheadHow can you teach math to your children if you struggle with it yourself? Yes, there are those among us who truly love math— people who grasp math concepts quickly, remember the laws and form
    • Tightrope Walker
      Tightrope WalkerDirectionsFor this activity, your child will imagine he or she is a tightrope walker in a circus. Choose a crack in the sidewalk or a seam in a floor to be the rope. Imagine that it is important to keep your balance and hold arms out