Three Ways Preschool Teachers Can Use Elmo to Help Students Learn

When it comes to preschool, there are many different ways instructors can reach out to their students using pictures, music and art. Young children in particular can be taught more easily with characters they love and appreciate, such as Elmo from Sesame Street.

While many Sesame Street characters are adults (or at least behave like them), Elmo identifies as a child who wants help learning and answering questions. Very young children relate to him, which explains his wild popularity. Teachers can use Elmo to teach children both academic and life skills while having a lot of fun in the process.

Preschool teachers can access numerous free, high-quality educational videos featuring Elmo and include them in lesson plans. Here are three ways teachers can use Elmo to help them teach students about important concepts and values.

Using Elmo to teach about health and anatomy

Just learning about Elmo himself is a great way for teachers to get the attention of their students. Elmo can talk to preschool students about what different body parts do and how they’re used, as well as the five senses. While it’s not necessary to for teachers to get too in-depth with preschool-age children, it is relatively easy to talk to them about basic body parts and functions, such as feet.

Elmo can help students learn more about their world and their own bodies, which is highly beneficial to them in many ways. They may be better able to help and understand others simply because they’ve learned a lot about Elmo.

Elmo helps teachers explain words and numbers

Elmo can help teachers illustrate basic academic concepts. Learning numbers and words is more fun with Elmo, such as this video teaching the word “splatter.”

Children make an effort to learn because they are interested in Elmo and want to see what he will teach them next. This is a good strategy for teachers to get and keep the attention of their students, and also a great way for students to take the knowledge they’re receiving and share it with other people.

Teachers can use Elmo to teach about values and feelings

Elmo often teaches children about good behavior and values; this is very useful for preschool classrooms. Teachers can use Elmo to teach students about character traits such as honesty, sharing and helping. Elmo also helps preschoolers understand emotions, like when their “inner monster” feels angry.

While not every child is going to respond positively to Elmo and other characters, most will pay attention because they are engaged while learning. They’ll also retain what they have learned more easily and for a longer period of time. Most importantly, a solid early childhood education helps students from kindergarten all the way through college and adulthood.