The word intentional often comes up when talking about early learning. It’s a key word in the Intentional Teaching Framework and is also mentioned in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework as a guiding principle, “Teaching must be intentional and focused on how children learn and grow.”

How would you define intentional when it comes to teaching?

An activity is considered intentional when you can explain why you are doing it. Intentional teaching is not only about lesson planning; It’s also about constant reflection, forming long-lasting partnerships with families, centering family knowledge, and honoring children’s voices. Being intentional is when you:

• Act purposefully.
• Have a goal in mind.
• Have a plan to accomplish it.
• Explain what you are doing, how you are doing it, and why you are doing it.

Think about areas of your own life where you are intentional. For example, consider the ways you can be intentional about what you eat.

• Goals—You might have a goal of eating a more healthful diet.
• Preferences—There are things you won’t eat because you don’t like the taste.  For instance, I don’t like to eat (fill in your own example here).
• Relationships—You might eat certain foods to connect you to other people.
• Traditions—Traditions may guide your food choices, especially around celebrations and holidays.
• Budget—How much you can spend has a huge impact on what you eat.  You may want to eat filet mignon often, but your budget might not support that choice.
• Time—The time you have to prepare and cook your meals impacts your food choices.

These are all reasons why we choose the food we eat; this is intentionality.

Let’s think about intentionality in the context of teaching now. Watch the video, What Shape is This? As you watch, think about how the educator is being intentional during outdoor play. Answer these questions:

• How is the educator in the video being intentional during outdoor play?
• What are some other ways to be intentional during outdoor play?

Let’s view another example. As you watch the video, Conversations with Infants, think about how this educator is being intentional about the language they use. And try to answer these questions:

• How is the educator being intentional about the language they use?
• What are some other ways they can be intentional?

References

Cultivate Learning, University of Washington. (2019). Conversations with Infants. [Video]

Cultivate Learning, University of Washington. (2019). What Shape is this? [Video]