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Whole Child Development

Archives for September 2009

Push Down and Play Time

by Filed Under: Child Development & DAP, Learning through Play and Experience 2 Comments

churchAyla87As I began writing this post, it became apparent that I was writing a sermon in two parts.  (Brevity has never really been my strong suit.)  Don’t worry, you don’t need to change into your Sunday best, your pajamas are just fine (you know who you are).  Just get comfortable, I’ve got a lot on my mind.

If you want to get preschool teachers all riled up, talk about “push-down curriculum” (pushing academic standards from one grade down to the next- pushing fluent reading skills from first grade to kindergarten, and now to preschool, for example).  I read this article  the other day, and it really got me thinking about academics and preschoolers. 

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Playing Around with Playdough

by Filed Under: Create, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

DSCN2322Classic Playdough is a staple of childhood! Not only is it fun and creative, but working that dough builds fine motor strength and control. These skills are just as critical to developing young writers  as is learning the ABCs.  Pushing objects into playdough creates a new type of sculpture and also presents a new challenge to children as it requires them to use the pincer grasp and push at the same time  (a skill similar to writing with a pencil).  I’ve found that preschoolers love to scatter their creations withtoothpicks, pipecleaners, googley-eyes, feathers and beads.   DSCN2317Recently, we experimented with a new kind of “push-in”.  I gathered accessories from a “Cooties” game as well as our Mr. Potato Head.  The kiddos had a great time coming up with all kinds of creatures.   DSCN2325(It appears I have a budding Picasso on my hands with that face arrangement!)

 

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Stop the Presses!

by Filed Under: Create, Learning through Play and Experience Leave a Comment

100_1190I picked up a great deal while visiting my parents a while back.  Their local newspaper sells the remnant rolls of newsprint, in a variety of sizes, for next to nothing.  I think I spent $3 on a roll that just happened to be the perfect length for my easel, with enough paper on it to last me a year at least!  Newsprint is certainly lower grade quality than your typical art paper.  It tends to yellow a little over a long period of time, so it’s not what you would want to use for framed artwork.  It is great, however, for high volume projects; those times that kiddos just want to experiment over and over (pretty much all the time).  It’s also great for covering tables for large group collages and murals, or just for protecting the table.  Really, for three bucks, you could use it for just about anything, and you still get your money’s worth!  Check out your local newspaper to find out if they sell their remnant rolls of newsprint.  Additionally (in case you wonderful people need more reasons to feel good about yourselves) using this newsprint is a great way to recycle a spent resource while also conserving new resources.  So you can be green and save green all at the same time!  Can’t really beat that, can you?

Pouring Preschoolers

by Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience, Music and Movement, Snack Time 2 Comments

DSCN2308Here’s a little secret:  Preschoolers can pour their own drinks.  It’s true!  The children gain so much independence and self-confidence by learning this self-help skill.  Autonomy is something children crave at this age, and this is certainly an activity they can do on their own when appropriate parameters are set. 

First of all, I use a small pitcher that they can easily lift and control.  I use these little, plastic, liquid measuring cups that I picked up at the Wally Mart, and have my little ones pour their own water at snack time.  I love that these are see-through so the children can watch as they and others pour (and the fact that they are extremely cheap and readily available is nice too). 

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