Educating Young Children Volume 1 – Spring 2025 | Page 23

Simple whole-group activities like games and dancing promote physical activity.

They also help children work on skills like following directions and spatial awareness and on social interactions like taking turns and cooperating.

Educators can observe, encourage, and demonstrate specific actions during this time.

Small groups allow educators to provide hands-on experiences and individualized instruction and support. In this focused and interactive format, teachers tailor group sizes and composition based on overarching learning goals, the nature of an activity, the materials involved, and children’ s strengths, interests, and needs. Learning centers, where children may work more independently and engage throughout the day, are also considered small groups.( To learn more about the small-group format, see“ Intentionally Planning for Small Group Time” by Sarah Parks-Reese).

Small groups foster content learning, collaboration, communication, and problem solving among children. They provide a comfortable setting for children to share ideas, ask questions, and engage deeply with materials. This format also honors children’ s agency: When children make choices, take on roles, and explore ideas in small groups, they develop independence, social skills, and confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully.