My voice is nearly gone.
The combination of a cold I picked up snuggling my sniffling 5 year old earlier in the week, together with three 1 1/2 hour presentations given in less than 24 hours time, has dropped my voice several decibels and quite likely a full octave.
I’m nearly talked out. (Almost. My husband could only hope to be so lucky!)
But I couldn’t be happier about it.
After talking for hours on end with over 1500 absolutely delightful people in Houston, Texas about the importance of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, I left their presence feeling inspired and fired up to stand up for children and childhood, something I had hoped to do for them. But teaching is an amazing thing. In the process of acting in the role of teacher, we are often taught. And this crowd shared their stories, their worries and questions and victories, and I came away more ready to do this work. I hope they did too.
I promised them I would share links to posts I had written that would share similar concepts and resources to what I shared in the keynote address, so this is a collection for them, but also for you. For anyone who wants to be more informed about why we need to align our approach in early childhood education with what we know about child development. For anyone who needs encouragement to stay the path in spite of the pressures and voices around them. For anyone who wants to combine good intentions with good information.
First, an article I actually read on the plane ride back to Seattle. This sums up so much of what I was thinking and feeling this week, and in such an easy-to-digest way. It would be a great article to share with parents to start the discussion.
The One Question Every Parent Should Quit Asking {Huffington Post}
And, as I promised, the Give Me Five attention tool.
Much of what I compiled in the keynote has been addressed in posts I’ve written over the course of several years:
DAP and Why We Don’t Push Kids Down the Stairs (This is full series, so scroll down to the bottom of this post to link to subsequent posts.)
The New Deficiency Previously Known as Childhood
The Vital Importance of a Strong Foundation: Why Early Learning Matters
Why Play Pretend When We’re Trying to Build Readers?
Age Does Matter (Gesell Institute Press Release Follow Up)
Age Does Matter: Your Questions Answered by Dr. Marcy Guddemi
Play vs Academics: A False Dichotomy
Is There Danger in Play or More in its Absence?
Finland’s Finest: Why We Need to Take Note of Finland’s Approach to Early Education
Allowing Children to Bloom in Season
A Tale of Two Studies: What We KNOW About Children and What we DO
Other Resources I Recommend:
Reading at Five: Why? {SEEN}
Alliance for Childhood: Play Resources
The Cognitive Benefits of Play: Effects on the Learning Brain {Parenting Science}
Mind in the Making (I love this resource, and wish every educator would take the time to read it! This link will take you to a read along series and an interview with the author, Ellen Galinsky. You’ll also find links for purchasing the book on Amazon.)
Thank you again to the ECMC group for having me with you these past few days. I truly had a wonderful time, and so appreciate the amazing, valuable work you do! It was an honor to work with you!
Also, if you’re interested in having me speak to your group about Developmentally Appropriate Practice, please contact me at amanda@notjustcute.com . While I’m opening to more speaking engagements this year than in the past, I am still choosing to limit them in a way that will align with my family’s priorities. So don’t hesitate to book your engagement well in advance.
Image by Chris Panteli
Thank you for coming to St. Lukes day school! I am truly inspired by your DAP presentation and grateful to have all this information to guide me through this special time, early childhood.
I wish you could have heard the buzz of hundreds of early childhood educators inspired by your keynote! Thank you for joining us at the Early Childhood Methodist Conference. Teachers and administrators all around Houston and southeast Texas are heading home pumped up and full of strong words to support DAP. Now we’ll have these important resources, too! We are grateful for your work ~ keep going!
Amanda, it was a true pleasure to meet you and hear your inspiring words in person. Thank you for backing your words with research. The research base will make the conversations about DAP much easier and more valid.
There was truly a buzz about the conference both times that you spoke, and we are so very grateful that you shared your time with us!
I really liked the article… The question every parent should stop asking, thanks Mandy! Your writting is always an inspiration for me!
What a great resource list!! Thanks for compiling and sharing it!
Have you ever read “Last Child in the Woods,” by Richard Louv? He’s the found of the Children & Nature Network. I think you’d love it. I just discovered your blog, and am now following it. I think we’ve done some terrible things to children when we’ve forgotten that they are more than their reading scores. Keep fighting, my friend!
I have, and love it! Such a great book!