Guest Speaking
inviting the community into Preschool and Early Years
Are you thinking of inviting a guest speaker into your classroom OR have you just been invited into one.
If you'd like some information, tips and ideas on how to get your message across to young children - please read on !
On Silkysteps we are dedicated to helping Guest Speakers & the organisers of these events in bringing outside interests and different points of view into the minds and imaginations of 'Preschool.
By giving clear and simple advice, you can feel confident that the children have gained valuable knowledge about a specific area of interest and that everyone can be assured of the learning opportunities the area of expertise has, for all.
FREEBIES - Everyone loves them - so within your financial boundaries pass on useful gifts that are relevant to the Speakers Topic and are fuctional as well. Don't buy cheap things that end up in the bin... be innovative with your ideas and 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 at 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 topic 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'd expect from the Speakers session ~ our suggestions are:-
Don't make the Guest 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 speakers 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 them make sure - you know what, how and when so that the Guest speaker can organise their session accordingly.
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! Pause frequently to Invite/ ask /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.
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 and how it works. Take photos of your Office, the office equipment you use and maybe any special clothing you wear as is necessary!
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 !!
Web Designers Fireman Farmers Police Lollypop Persons Guide Dogs Post Person Photographer
All of these suggestions.. are just that
We would love to hear how organise such events in your own group / home settings
On the official side of things ... 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. This could also provide the opportunity to present the speaker with a Keepsake of their event. Check that your public Insurance covers Temporary Visitors to your premises. That your Guest Speaker is not left in a position that would require a CRB check prior to their session with you.
By giving clear and simple advice, you can feel confident that the children have gained valuable knowledge about a specific area of interest and that everyone can be assured of the learning opportunities the area of expertise has, for all.
ORGANISERS
Ask your parents if they know someone who'd be interested, local directory and personal recommendations are a positive way to go .
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 !
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 !!
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.
