Sustained Shared Thinking

Narnia, on 19 November 2009 - 07:55 AM, said:

..............need some pointers/ideas/help with this one please!essay needs to be in soon and I need some help with Sustained shared thinking.....something my poor addled brain seems to be inca[able of just now!

Here's what I wrote for a recent staff meeting to introduce SST to the staff. Hope it helps.

“Sustained Shared Thinking” is the term used to describe a shared conversation between you and a child which helps to develop the child’s thinking - a quality interaction (not just chatting in between activities or when loads of children are vying for your attention).

How do we start Sustained Shared Thinking?

· Tuning in - sit down at the child’s level, listen carefully to what is being said, observe body language and what the child is doing.

· Showing genuine interest - giving your whole attention (acknowledging others but keeping focus on key child), maintaining eye contact, affirming, smiling, nodding etc

· Respecting children’s own decisions and choices - allowing them to think things through in their own way and by acknowledging each child’s interests.

So, once you have engaged in some interaction/SST with a child, develop and support their thinking by:-

· Inviting him/her to elaborate (“I really want to know more about this.”)

· Asking Open Questions (“How did you…? Why does this…?)

· Recapping (“So you think that…”) or reminding (“Don’t forget that you said…”)

· Offering your own experience (“I like to read my book in bed…”)

· Suggesting (“You might like to try doing it this way…”) - but remember to respect their decisions!

· Offering an alternative viewpoint (“Maybe Goldilocks wasn’t naughty when she ate the porridge…”)

· Speculating (“Do you think the 3 bears were happy when…?”)

· Modelling thinking (“I’ve got so much to do today. I need to do my shopping, take the cat to the vets and go to the library. I won’t have time to do all those things…”)

There are obviously times in the day when we need to direct, help or entertain the children. But make sure that there is time for sitting with a child and being a responsive partner. Ensure that, during this time, you focus on the interaction rather than the task.

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