Early Childhood Education (ECE) NOCTI Practice Exam

When writing a lesson plan, what is the FIRST thing to consider?

1. Materials needed

2. The age of the children

3. Goals and objectives

4. Teacher's availability

The correct answer is: Goals and objectives

In crafting a lesson plan, prioritizing goals and objectives is essential because it provides a clear direction for the entire learning process. Establishing what you want to achieve helps in structuring the lesson effectively, ensuring that the content aligns with desired learning outcomes. This focus allows educators to create engaging and relevant activities that cater to the educational needs of the children while also measuring success rates against those objectives. Considering the age of the children is crucial, as it informs how the lesson will be tailored in terms of complexity and delivery style, but it comes after defining the goals. Materials needed play a significant role in the planning process, but they should be selected based on the learning goals to ensure they are effective and purposeful. The teacher's availability is also an important logistical aspect, but it should not overshadow the necessity of having a clear instructional aim at the outset. By starting with goals and objectives, educators set a foundation that supports all subsequent decisions in the lesson planning process.