Hook, Line and Thinker.
Fast Track Understanding With The Power of “Kid Speak.”
I’m not an avid angler, however I do know that the kind of bait you use can make or break your fishing foray. If you use something too big or unfamiliar, the fish might get scared away. But if you use something familiar that they recognise, they'll bite. Now for those who like myself aren’t fishing fanatics, the same response occurs when a pack of Tim Tams are left out on the kitchen bench to compete with grandma’s infamous steamed artichokes. The chocolatey goodness is sure to attract a crowd, whereas the unique taste and texture of the artichokes won’t necessarily garner the same universal enthusiasm. Now, I’ll finally get to the point - Learning something new or introducing a new concept is no different to our bait analogy. Dive in too deep with complex metalanguage and you risk losing your learners, but break it down into simple, easily understood language, and they're hooked!
"Kid Speak" is that perfect bait (or Tim Tam) to build confidence and success.
Building Confidence and Self-Efficacy:
When a child first learns a concept, they might feel overwhelmed if confronted with technical jargon. Remember, confidence plays a massive role in learning. By presenting information in terms they already understand, we give them a safe space to grasp ideas. This boost in confidence means they're not just more likely to feel capable to complete the task at hand, but also to handle even the tougher stuff later on.
Bridging the Gap:
When we introduce concepts to learners using "Kid Speak", we cast our line into their world, making the idea enticing enough for them to bite. Now that they've nibbled on the idea we can start introducing technical terms to reel them in from the deep, turbulent waters of ‘not knowing’ towards the comforting, familiar shores of understanding. The beauty is they hardly notice they're crossing over because they're already invested in the journey.
The Golden Link:
Annotations are often the missing link. Think of them like little signposts aimed to help learners make connections between “Kid Speak” and technical terms. For example, if you're teaching about photosynthesis, you might start with "Plants eat sunlight," and then annotate with the technical term: "photosynthesis." This way, the connection between the familiar and the new is always clear.
Remember, it’s not about what we teach, but how they learn. Our job isn't to showcase our vast vocabulary. It's to make sure our learners get the concept. Using "Kid Speak" makes the unfamiliar, familiar and more importantly – understandable. The world of knowledge is vast, like a giant ocean. Which is why our young learners, can’t just be thrown in the deep end without a life jacket. Instead, let's bait our hooks with "Kid Speak,” and before you know it, they'll be swimming in the deep waters of knowledge all on their own.
