How to Offer Choices That Extend Learning

How to Offer Choices That Extend Learning. This is part of a series: How to Extend Learning as Part of Everyday Life Part 11. Effective Teaching Strategies: Offering Meaningful Choices. In this article I am going to teach you how to extend learning as part of everyday life by offering meaningful choices.

How to Extend Learning as Part of Everyday Life

When it comes to bringing learning into the everyday moments of life, there is a simple three step formula I like to keep in mind. This is called the Powerful Interactions Framework.

The three parts to the formula are 1- be present, 2- connect, and 3- extend learning. This third step includes learning and implementing teaching strategies that build on the knowledge your child already has.

It is my goal to help teach you these effective teaching strategies so you can confidently extend learning when those key moments come up in your life. 

Effective Teaching Strategies: Offering Meaningful Choices

Definition: Being on the lookout for opportunities to involve your child in meaningful, formative ways that encourages him or her to be as independent as possible within a given activity by providing opportunities for him or her to choose, contribute, and lead.

• Strategically offer choices to your child in order for them to practice decision making and become more involved in their learning.
• Be flexible, going along with your child’s ideas and interests, and providing opportunities for your child to be as independent as possible, but not so much that it gets chaotic.
• Provide frequent opportunities for your child to talk and share ideas. Allow your child freedom of movement and placement during activities.
• Find opportunities to give a variety of choices. Some choices are between 2-3 set options. Some are open-ended opportunities that require out of the box thinking. Make sure that you use this strategy when there truly is a choice and you are able to follow through with your child’s decision. 

How to Offer Choices That Extend Learning

What this looks like

“Would you like to wear your green or black boots today?”

“Step outside to feel how cold it is, then let’s decide if you need a jacket or a coat.”

“What game would you like to play this morning?”

“You can choose one treat from the store to eat on the way home.”

“Would you rather eat your eggs or toast first?”