I recently taught a day-long workshop for a fantastic group of early childhood educators on intentional teaching and the power of play. In preparing for that, I spent a lot of time reading Dr. Stuart Brown’s book,Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul (*affiliate link).
It’s Time to Plan a Playdate with Your Child
I was working with some elementary aged children recently, helping them with their Mother’s Day/ Father’s Day writing assignments. They were all following the same skeleton for their poetry, using personal details to fill in the blank spaces.
Big Kids on the Playground
I typically write about the early childhood realm. That’s where my professional expertise is. But as my own kids grow, I’m beginning to make some interesting observations about the span of childhood.
While my youngest two boys are still in the early childhood years, my oldest two are solidly in the school age years. (My oldest, in fact, seems intent on flirting with becoming a “tween”, which is puzzling to me, since I recall birthing him just yesterday.)
I’m starting to notice some of the perspectives and attitudes about “big kids” from a new vantage point. Just yesterday, my husband and I were talking about observations we’ve made as we’ve watched interactions in public playspaces. Not always, but sometimes, there seems to be almost an air of irritation when the big kids show up.
Resources for Defending Childhood
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.
Standing Up for Children and Childhood: 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.
It’s OK NOT to Share Section 4b: Kids, Power, and Action (Part 2)
Weapon play. Gender-Bender play. These are the play themes that press against our comfort zones and challenge our perspectives.
Trying to Get Kids to Play Independently? Here’s What you Need to Know.
Playful Science: Dry Ice Bubbles
It’s OK NOT to Share Section 1: What’s This Talk About Stealing Play?
4 Ways to Keep Toddlers Entertained While You Cook
If your toddler is anything like mine, you count yourself lucky to use the bathroom by yourself and emerge without finding lipstick on the carpet or a few books floating in the fish tank. How do they move so fast?