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It’s OK NOT to Share: The Wrap Up

December 8, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Child Development & DAP, Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

read along sizedOne of the most amazing aspects of blogging has been the realization that there are REAL people behind those author bylines on articles, posts, and books. Getting to know those real people is one of my favorite parts of this blogging gig! Heather Shumaker has been no exception — an absolute delight! Her book, It’s OK Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids (*affiliate link) is amazing, but getting to discuss each section with her has been no less so!

Before we close out this year, I wanted to have one last chat with Heather, to discuss her book as a whole, as well as her plans for a second book (oh yeah!). If you have a question for Heather, I’d love to hear it! Comment below, ASAP, and I’ll take that into consideration as I chat with her on Thursday, December 11th. I’ll be sure to post our video chat by Friday the 12th. Deal?

[Read more…]

Book Review: 150+ Screen Free Activities for Kids

November 20, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Child Development & DAP, Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Asia Citro of Fun at Home with Kids has compiled a fantastic new book, and it couldn’t have come at a better time!

book cover

[Read more…]

Why Play Pretend When We’re Trying to Build Readers?

November 7, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Child Development & DAP, Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized 6 Comments

Pretend Play and Reading

I noticed my 2 1/2 year old walking around the back yard the other day with a small rectangular rock nestled in the palm of his hand.  I watched as he excitedly moved it around as he energetically bounded around the lawn, obviously in his own world.  I wondered where his imagination had taken him.  Then I heard the giveaway:  “Boop! Boop!”  He was holding the rock out, extending his arm toward a ride along car in the yard.  “My boop-boop!”  He said as he looked up with a huge grin of satisfaction, having clearly just set the alarm on his toy car with his own personal key fob.

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The Vital Importance of a Strong Foundation: Why Early Learning Matters

November 5, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Building Readers, Child Development & DAP, Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized 14 Comments

Foundation 3

“We’re building a home up the street.”

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The Smartest Kids in the World…and What the US Could Learn from Them

October 24, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience 7 Comments

What the US can learn about education from countries around the world.

I read a fascinating book this summer.  (And by read, I once again mean that I listened on Audible.)  So fascinating, in fact, that I keep thinking and talking about it months later.
The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way* by investigative journalist Amanda Ripley, seemed to take many of the things we argue over on the topic of education in the United States, and turned it all on its head. (*Affiliate link.)

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Can Kids Learn in a Negative Environment?

October 21, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience 7 Comments

Can kids learn in a negative environment

You’ve likely seen the video by now.  (It’s inching toward one million views.)  The toddler with those sweet cheeks lights up as the experimenter passes the toy across the table.  The toddler plays with the parts as he’s seen the experimenter do.  His eyes are wide, his smile even wider.  Then the “emoter” comes in.

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Standing Up for Children and Childhood: If Not YOU, Then Who?

August 14, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Child Development & DAP, Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized 13 Comments

if not you then who

A week ago I had the tremendous pleasure of being a keynote speaker at Arkansas State University’s ECE conference.  I met some absolutely wonderful people there and had a fantastic experience getting to know many people and seeing childhood from their eyes.

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Looking for More STEM? Here’s How You Actually Inspire Your Child’s Mind

June 30, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized 3 Comments

Girls and STEM

There’s so much I like about Verizon’s new “Inspire Her Mind” commercial (seen below and here), but something about it left me feeling unsettled.

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TinkerLab DrawBot: Simple STEM Fun for Kids!

June 26, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized 4 Comments

Draw Bot

This may be my “Cool, Mom!” highlight of the summer!

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TinkerLab Book Blog Tour: Q&A with Rachelle Doorley

June 16, 2014 by notjustcute Filed Under: Child Development & DAP, Create, Learning through Play and Experience, Uncategorized 3 Comments

 Tinkerlab take two

 Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, if you’re interested in promoting creativity, problem solving, curiosity, critical thinking, and tinkering in the lives of the children you love and teach, then get ready —- you’re going to love Rachelle Doorley’s new book,Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors(*affiliate link).

[Read more…]

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I’m Amanda Morgan. Here’s what I’m about…

In early education, there is too much distance between what we know and what we do. I bridge the gaps that exist between academia, decision-makers, educators, and parents so that together, we can improve the quality of early education while also respecting and protecting the childhood experience.

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