Teaching Tip of the Week

3/24/97
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Handling Visuals

It may seem a simple matter to take your flannelgraph figures and slap them on the flannelboard or pick up a flashcard lesson and turn the pages as you're teaching. And for the most part you're right. But following a few simple guidelines can help the children focus on the lesson.

Remember that the children look at visual aids of people a little differently than adults. (And more so the younger they are.) So be careful not to "pinch" Moses' head as you pick him up to put him on the flannelboard or to dangle Peter by his feet. It's best to hold these respectable people by their shoulder or side.
When turning pages of a flashcard lesson, make sure that it is done in a way that the children cannot see the next page. There always seems to be one child that will call out, "I saw what happens next!"
Also with flashcards it is easy to find yourself holding a flashcard in a way that covers an important part of the picture.

As with any part of your lesson, practicing the holding, turning or placing of visuals will help you teach more effectively.

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