Uses a Variety of Questions-Child Engagement (E2.4.3)
Sub Category: Scaffolding and Communication-Based Strategies: Supporting Cognitive and Language Development
Credential Level: Level 1 •
Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K
COMPETENCY STATEMENT
Uses a variety of questions (open, closed, inferential) to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities
DEFINITIONS
In order to maintain children's attention and interest, teachers should prepare lessons and activities that include a variety of engaging questions that encourage participation. Teachers should use various question types such as: (a) open questions, which require details and thoughtful answers, (b) closed questions, which have two possible answers, and/or (c) inferential questions, which require critical thinking and reasoning based on facts.
EXAMPLES
Bumped Their Heads
Age Group: Toddler
In this exemplar video, a teacher is sitting with children having conversations as they play. Notice how the teacher responds to each child, comments on what they say and asks follow-up questions to encourage more language–examples of using a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.
Variety of Questions- Child Engagement
Age Group: Pre-K
In this video the teacher uses a variety of open- and closed-ended questions to maintain children’s attention and interest in the activities.
Variety of Questions- Child Engagement
Age Group: Infant
In this exemplar video, a teacher is having a conversation with an infant while spending time outside. Notice how the teacher uses a warm expressive voice and asks a baby questions about her experience touching grass outside–an example of using a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.
Variety of Questions- Child Engagement
Age Group: Pre-K
In this exemplar video, a teacher uses open, closed, and inferential questions to engage the child—examples showing how varied questioning supports active learning and thinking.
Variety of Questions- Child Engagement
Age Group: Pre-K
In this exemplar video, a teacher guides a child through a letter-matching activity. Notice how the teacher uses open, closed, and inferential questions to keep the child engaged and thinking—an example of using varied questioning to support active participation and learning.
Variety of Questions- Child Engagement
Age Group: Pre-K
In this exemplar video, a teacher asks a mix of open and closed questions about shapes and taking turns. Notice how the teacher uses different types of questions to keep children engaged- an example of encouraging thinking and participation during group activities.
Variety of Questions- Child Engagement
Age Group: Pre-K
In this video, the teacher talks about different objects in the centers, including their size and weight. Notice how the teacher asks different types of questions to keep the child interested- an example of using open, closed, and thinking questions to support learning.
Variety of Questions- Child Engagement
Age Group: Pre-K
In this exemplar video, a teacher asks the child a mix of open, closed, and inferential questions during an activity. Notice how the teacher uses these questions to keep the child engaged and thinking—an example of using varied questioning to support active participation and learning.
WAYS TO PRACTICE
Hey, Diddle, Diddle
Age Group: Toddler
In this Circle Activity, children link their experiences to words in a nursery rhyme to expand their understanding of vocabulary words in order to support their language and communication development. This activity can be used to promote positive interactions and provide the teacher an opportunity to use a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.
My Book About Me
Age Group: Infant
In this Circle Activity, children identify people and actions by looking at pictures of familiar people in a personal photo book in order to support their language, communication and cognitive development. This activity can be used to promote positive interactions and provide an opportunity to use a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.
My Book About Me
Age Group: Toddler
In this Circle Activity, children identify people and actions by looking at pictures of familiar people in a personal photo book in order to support their language, communication and cognitive development. This activity can be used to promote positive interactions and provide the teacher an opportunity to use a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.
Puppet Friends
Age Group: Infant, Toddler
In this Circle Activity, children interact with puppets the teacher animates using different tones of voice in order to support their language, communication and cognitive development. This activity can be used to promote positive interactions and provide the teacher an opportunity to use a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.
Share with Me
Age Group: Infant, Toddler
In this Circle Activity, children experience back-and-forth sharing of a toy with a familiar caregiver in order to support their language, communication and cognitive development. This activity can be used to promote positive interactions and provide the teacher an opportunity to use a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.
Telephone
Age Group: Infant, Toddler
In this Circle Activity, children imitate having a back-and-forth conversation on the phone in order to support their language, communication and cognitive development. This activity can be used to promote positive interactions and provide the teacher an opportunity to use a variety of questions to encourage child engagement in lessons and activities.