Keeping KS1 students motivated and eager to learn can be a challenge for even the most experienced of teachers. There are nonetheless a handful of ways in which children can maintain interest if provided with original incentives. Let’s look at eight ideas to appreciate your numerous options.
Standard Show-and-Tell Sessions
While traditional, show-and-tell days are still great ways to encourage students to engage with their classmates and to explain unique aspects of their lives. Furthermore, these episodes can represent a departure from other learning activities that might become boring over time.
Vote on Class Breaks
Empoowering children is another potent incentivisation method. Simple ideas could include allowing them to choose at what time a classroom break occurs or what they wish to eat for lunch.
Playtime Rewards
Playtime should always represent an engaging activity that children eagerly anticipate. One of the ways in which this can be accomplished is to provide students with access to a host of unique toys. It could also be interesting to set up individual play stations so that students can access each one for a certain amount of time before rotating to the next area. During these periods, teachers can record how each student reacts to different scenarios; an important benefit in terms of tracking for EYFS requirements.
Pyjama Day
Allowing children to relax within educational settings on occasion will enable them to develop a positive outlook in terms of the overall learning process. So, why not create a “pyjama day” if the class has had a particularly good week? There is no doubt that such a break from the norm will be welcomed by students and parents alike.
Bringing in a Toy
Similar to show and tell, it is also possible reward students for a job well done by asking them to bring one of their favourite toys to school. Not only will this encourage them to share aspects about their personal lives, but exchanging toys between students can represent a powerful form of peer bonding.
Movie Days
Nearly all of us have fond memories of days when we were surprised by a classroom movie. These sessions can likewise be used as a type of reward. Let us also remember that films may also be used to passively reinforce recently learned material in a fun manner.
Extra Leisure Time
This particular strategy works well at the end of the week. In the event that the entire class has reached a major milestone, it can be rewarded with additional play time. There is little doubt that children will soon learn the advantages of working hard!
A Visit from the Principal
Children naturally view school principals as authority figures and unfortunately, many principals remain somewhat “aloof” in regard to how they interact with their students. Inviting the principal into the classroom in order to praise children is an excellent way to illustrate that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
These eight methods can be easily implemented and the associated results will provide a more positive experience for every child.
Leave a Reply