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On Silkysteps we are dedicated to helping Guest Speakers & the organisers of these events to bring in outside interests and different points of view. Help inspire everyone in the group and make your Preschool a real part of the community.
 By giving clear and simple advice, you can feel confident that the children have gained access to valuable knowledge about a specific area of interest .. and that everyone can be assured of the learning opportunities that area of expertise has.
FREEBIES - Everyone loves them - so within your financial boundaries pass on useful gifts, printables and information that is relevant to the Speakers topic and that are fuctional as well. Don't buy cheap things that end up in the bin - be innovative with your ideas and feel confident they are well suited to the occassion..
Home communications: It's always good for the children to be able to talk about their experience with the guest speaker, to freinds and family outside of their settings.
Providing resources for them to take home, including notes to Parents and carers about what the event is all about ensures everyone has timely information that they can use productively.
Please scroll down for a list of professions
 ORGANISERS
WHO TO ASK ?
Whatever topic or theme you are covering there will be someone around that has an interest in the the area that you can approach ~ whether it's business or Hobby related.
 Ask your parents if they know someone who'd be interested, local directory and personal recommendations are a positive way to go .
When you ask them if they would like to come in for half an hour to chat to the children about it ~ be prepared !!
The initial reaction on being asked to be a Guest Speaker may be surprising - ranging from Sheer shock to pleasure .. whichever you encounter have some information ready to pass on to reassure them of your expectations !
EXPECTATIONS ...
Please note down your own version of what you expect to gain from the Speakers session ~ our suggestions are:-
Don't make the speaker sessions any longer than 30 mins unless you plan very carefully for the event ~ Attention spans vary enormously and you don't want to put off your guest speaker with fidgety children and indeed vice versa !!
Use physical props/tools/books/puppets in the session to keep interest levels going ~ if the nursery is to provide these, please make sure - you know what, how and when so that the Guest speaker can organise their session accordingly.
 Dear GUEST SPEAKERS
 Firstly remember ..no pressure !! You would of been asked to do this in the first place because someone knew you'd be good at it !
JOT DOWN SOME NOTES
Consider the slightly 'off topic' aspects to your profession that may surprise the adults in the session.
These will be the things that first surprised you when you found out about them.
Pause frequently to invite / ask and answer questions.
Decide which keypoints of your profession you think the Children will associate with most.
Invite interaction ... maybe a child can come up to the front with you and assist with a demonstration.
Please be aware that the setting will have many safeguarding procedures in place - this isn't personal, it is a means to protect the Children, staff and all guests involved.
Check before hand what you hope to do so that everyone can stay informed of expectations, what is considered appropriate behaviour and actions.
eg: You won't be allowed unsupervised access to the children unless in reciept of a CRB disclosure form and that this has been verified.
PROPS
Have physical props that are connected to your job and are apart of everyday life.
Using your props ~ ask the children if they know what it is, how it works and if they have ever seen one before.
Take photos of your Office, the office equipment you use and maybe any special clothing you wear as is necessary.
Enjoy yourself - you may be bringing on a competitior for the future :-)
PROFESSIONS & Hobbies
 PROFESSION TITLES
 We have a list of 'People Who Help us' dotted around our Forums and from here we will link to each of these professions & Hobbies so that you can use the ideas and suggestions to build gift packs for your audience !!
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Please ensure that - your Visitors book is filled in:- A badge can be issued to your Guest Speaker so that everyone knows who they are and why they are there.
