Intentional Teaching

Intentional teaching also involves the educator being thoughtful and deliberate about their interactions with young children. Watch the video above that highlights how intentional teachers respond to children's ideas and interests.

Lesson Planning

Intention teachers plan activities for individual children, small groups of children and the whole class. They take the individual ideas, interests and needs of children into account when planning activities and experiences and work to ensure that activities and experiences are child-led. Intentional teachers also understand that plans can change, based on the needs of the children in their care.

Intentional teachers recognize the importance of play in the classroom. While children are engaged in play, intentional teachers ensure that spaces are safe, that there are enough materials for everyone, and that activities and experiences are developmentally appropriate. They are also active participants in play (i.e., talking, listening, asking questions and documenting).

Play

Intentional teachers take the time to thoughtfully curate the physical environment, often using the environment as the "third teacher." This involves careful planning about the materials that are available for children to use and what gets displayed on the walls.

The Physical Environment