How can teachers support the developmental needs of early elementary students?
Supporting the Early Elementary Learner: What They Need Most
Early elementary students (typically grades K-2) are in a stage of rapid growth across all domains, cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language. At this age, children are building the foundations not only for academic success but for how they see themselves as learners, friends, and community members.
To truly support these learners, educators must go beyond content delivery. This blog post offers specific, developmentally aligned strategies to help teachers meet the needs of early elementary students and create classrooms where every child thrives.
7 Strategies to Support Early Elementary Learners
1. Structure With Flexibility: Routines That Reassure
Young children need predictability, but they also need room to move and adjust.
Strategy: Use Visual Schedules and Transitional Cues
Post a daily schedule with icons and pictures.
Give 2-minute verbal warnings before transitions: “In two minutes, we’ll clean up and meet on the rug.”
Use songs or chimes to signal transitions.
Why it works: Reduces anxiety, supports executive functioning, and helps non-readers feel in control of their day.
2. Prioritize Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Every Day
Early learners are still developing:
Emotional vocabulary
Self-regulation
Empathy and sharing
Conflict resolution
Strategy: Start the Day With a Feelings Check-In
Use a “How Do You Feel Today?” chart with emoji faces or emotion cards.
Give students a chance to share in morning meeting: “I feel ___ because ___.”
Strategy: Teach and Practice Calming Techniques
Introduce breathing strategies (“Smell the flower, blow out the candle”).
Create a calm corner with stuffed animals, sensory tools, or books.
Why it works: Emotional regulation is a key predictor of academic and social success, and must be modeled, practiced, and reinforced regularly.
3. Make Learning Active and Hands-On
Early elementary brains and bodies are built for movement and exploration, not long lectures.
Strategy: Use Centers and Rotations for Core Subjects
Literacy center with magnetic letters, listening station, or writing prompts
Math center with manipulatives like Unifix cubes or pattern blocks
Discovery center with seasonal items or nature objects
Strategy: Build Movement Into Instruction
Sight word hopscotch
“Solve and scoot” math tasks posted around the room
Brain breaks with GoNoodle, stretching, or yoga poses
Why it works: Movement enhances focus, memory, and mood, and helps kinesthetic learners shine.
4. Build Early Literacy With Multisensory Approaches
Learning to read and write is a complex process that benefits from multisensory reinforcement.
Strategy: Use Tactile Tools
Trace letters in sand or shaving cream
Use playdough to form letters or sight words
Write spelling words with rainbow colors or chalk
Strategy: Teach Phonics Through Songs and Stories
Sing letter sound chants
Use motion for phoneme segmentation (e.g., clapping syllables, tapping out CVC words)
Why it works: Early readers need to see, say, touch, and move to connect with print meaningfully.
5. Support Peer Relationships and Cooperative Learning
At this stage, students are learning how to share space, express needs, and collaborate.
Strategy: Incorporate Partner and Group Work Early and Often
“Turn and Talk” to share ideas in a low-pressure way
Use simple team roles (e.g., reader, recorder, speaker) for group tasks
Assign classroom jobs to build responsibility and inclusion
Strategy: Practice Social Skills Through Role-Play
Model scenarios: “What to do when someone cuts in line” or “How to ask to join a game”
Use puppets, storybooks, and mini skits to reinforce empathy and cooperation
Why it works: Social development directly impacts classroom climate and academic participation.
6. Use Developmentally Appropriate Language and Expectations
Early learners are literal thinkers with emerging reasoning skills.
Strategy: Give Clear, Simple Directions (One Step at a Time)
Say: “Push in your chair, then walk to the rug.”
Use visual supports or gestures to reinforce requests.
Avoid sarcasm or vague phrasing like “Use your head.”
Strategy: Acknowledge Effort Over Outcome
Praise the process: “I noticed you kept trying even when it was tricky!”
Use growth mindset phrases like “You don’t get it yet, but you will.”
Why it works: Clear language and encouragement build trust and foster resilience.
7. Partner With Families Early and Often
Families are a child’s first teacher, and a crucial part of the support system.
Strategy: Create Simple, Consistent Communication Channels
Use a weekly newsletter or digital app (ClassDojo, Seesaw)
Share photos or brief highlights of class routines and learning
Strategy: Invite Family Engagement in Practical Ways
Morning reading volunteers
Cultural shares (e.g., music, food, or traditions from home)
“Family of the Week” posters or show-and-tells
Why it works: When families are included, students feel safer and more confident at school.
Hands-on, playful learning experiences that nurture early elementary growth
Final Thoughts: Build the Whole Child, Not Just the Learner
Supporting early elementary students means teaching academics through the lens of development. It's about:
Meeting them where they are
Respecting their need to move, explore, and express
Building relationships that make learning joyful and meaningful
When we teach the whole child, with structure, empathy, and engaging tools, they don’t just learn, they love to learn.
Want to extend your learning?
Read Smooth Transitions Guide: Moving Between Grades — checklists and activities to help students adjust confidently. Also included in the Inclusive & Supportive Teaching Pack.
Smooth Transitions Guide: Moving Between Grades
Why Teachers Love It: Teachers love it because it gives them activities and checklists that help students adjust with confidence during key school transitions.
Build a Caring & Inclusive Classroom - Foster belonging, support student well-being, and guide smooth transitions with this inclusive teaching resource bundle. Why Teachers Love It: Makes it easy to integrate SEL and DEI practices into everyday routines.