I love DIY projects. The excitement of creating something yourself and making it just the way you want it. I don’t know why I hadn’t considered how much my boys would enjoy that as well.
Is There Danger in Play or More in Its Absence?
As parents and caregivers, the safety of our children is our highest priority. We ask them to wear their helmets while biking, to look before they leap, and we remind them again and again of the proper procedures for crossing the street. We want them to be safe. That’s reasonable and responsible. But, as it is easy to do, we sometimes go a bit overboard on our efforts to protect our children. In the long run, some of our efforts can backfire. [Read more…]
Guesting: Is There Danger in Play or More in its Absence?
I’m really very excited about a piece that I wrote for a dear friend at New Latina. I hope you’ll hop on over and read the full post. Here’s a little taste:
{Repost} Play vs Academics: A False Dichotomy
A friend recently commented on this post (originally written in January of this year). Because so many of you have joined me since then, I thought this might be a good time to share it again.
An argument is brewing in the preschool scene. In one corner, you have those arguing for more academics to give children that head start that might correct the troubles of high-school drop-outs and low test scores. They claim that children rise to the occasion and show that they are capable of more than we’ve been asking.
Play. Grow. Learn. An Interview with Christie Burnett
Christie Burnett is an accomplished Aussie blogger who specializes in early education and child development. Sometime between running her exceptional blog, Childhood 101, and writing a fantastic ebook, she’s also just produced the first issue of a wonderful e-zine, Play. Grow. Learn. Read on to get to know more about Christie and this new resource for parents and educators. (I only wish you could hear her delightful Aussie accent as well. Go ahead and add your own if you like.) [Read more…]
Weekend Reads 4.23.11
Fizzing Sidewalk Paint {Quirky Mama}
Environmental Print and Logos {Learning and Teaching with Preschoolers}
Raising Optimistic Children {Stress Free Kids}
Parenting Styles: Reactive or Proactive? {Childhood 101}
Regaining Childhood: Parenting a “too fast too soon” generation {Dr. Michele Borba}
Enjoy your Easter weekend!
Top photo by Matthias Wieland. [Read more…]
Teaching Social Skills: "Can I Play"
I am a firm believer that social skills should be taught directly, and then implemented and brought into habit through play and experience. During the very first weeks, I introduce the tools for entering play and taking turns. These are key areas of social conflict when you get a group of new preschoolers together!
Teaching Social Skills: “Can I Play”
I am a firm believer that social skills should be taught directly, and then implemented and brought into habit through play and experience. During the very first weeks, I introduce the tools for entering play and taking turns. These are key areas of social conflict when you get a group of new preschoolers together!
Push Down and Play Time
As 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.