Take a Lesson from “Dora the Explorer”
by Greg Braun,
PSIA/AASI-NW JET Member

Participate in an ACE Clinic (Advanced Children’s Education) and you’re most likely to hear the term PDAS (Play, Drill, Adventure, Summary), which gives the instructor a framework for creating a lesson for the day. That still leaves the instructor with the task of determining how to deliver the message. In that regard, take a lesson from “Dora the Explorer.”

Dora does a terrific job of leading young children on adventures and you can, too. When Dora gives directions, she gives no more than two steps and then checks for understanding. For example, in “Dora; Dance to the Rescue,” Dora and her pals Boots and Swiper have to go through the pyramid and cross the sea to get to the castle to release Swiper from a magic bottle. Where do they have to go to get to the castle? (Through the pyramid and across the sea, if you weren’t paying attention;-)

The other thing that works well for Dora is that she frequently uses a map to show how to get from point A to point B. Again, she tells you the steps to get from A to B as she shows you the map and then clarifies the steps by having you repeat the steps, usually three times.

That sounds like good teaching to me. Give a simple set of directions, demonstrating as you give them and then check for understanding by having your students repeat them back to you. You will quickly find out how simple your directions were.) If your students can’t repeat the directions, they were too complex. Simplify them.

So, the next time you head out on the slopes with a group of four-, five- or sixyear- olds, remember to take a tip from “Dora the Explorer.” Show, tell, and check for understanding. Keep it simple.