There are many types of adult/child relationships that occur over the course of a day in the classroom. In reflecting on interactions between adults and children, I see several types of interaction patterns emerge. These patterns are not inclusive of all interactions; they are just how I am starting to think about my practice.
Read MoreMany elementary children participate in special interest programs afterschool. Some are sports like Tae Kwon Do, swimming, or other seasonal sports. Some children participate in music, language, or enhanced academic programs. These programs enhance or extend the learning potential of the child, and in many cases promote a life long enjoyment of the activity.
Read MoreEach year I promise myself that winter will be my quiet season – a time for rest and reflection and to revisit my thoughts. As we start March, I realize that another winter season has passed by and my plans for renewal were buried once again under a to-do list that is without end.
Read MoreAs winter moves toward spring in the Northern Hemisphere many people look forward to warming temperatures. More sunshine, longer days, and more opportunities to be outside.The opportunities for outside activities in the winter are numerous, but many folks hibernate this time of year and long for the change in seasons. The same is true for many child development programs.
Read MoreThere is a growing trend in education that has been gaining momentum and transforming the way children experience school. The trend is reducing or removing homework from elementary education.
Read MoreWhat materials can be used for bead making that are recyclable, sensitive to the environment, and are not food? In the process of bead making we have other choices. There are many traditional and newer materials that we can use to create beads. I am going to share a few of my favorites.
Read MoreEarly childhood educators change positions multiple times during our working career. In addition to turnover, many more educators move between programs. A large percentage of the field finds themselves in new classrooms or new schools each year. All the transitions to new classrooms/schools require early childhood educators to establish new classroom cultures.
Read MoreChildren desire to experience a play life, a life of joy and exploration a time to grow up slowly and savor the magic and wonders of the world. Time to live mindful of what is happening around them without worrying about what happens next. The pressure of modern school expectations is stealing time that before belonged to children.
Read MoreIn society today, adults and children have changed their connection with nature. The transformation is having adverse effects on our existence.In Early Childhood Education, there is a movement that will help our communities and country regain our connection to nature.
Read MoreBeing an after school educator and observing children at play for many years, I noticed how the amount and emphasis on play has changed. Science states play and physical activity represent an important part of education and benefits the growing and active brain. What caused test scores and grades to become more important than the rest of life's activities?
Read MoreThe establishment of all child development philosophies has a purpose. The purpose is to help children, serve families, and build community. As early childhood educators, we have an opportunity to give back. Sometimes our mission is compromised trying to protect our own philosophy.
Read MoreThe search for meaning, our motivations and our actions is always connected to “The Why”. The “What” we do is easy to define, but “The Why” we do our work is where we find our true purpose, Jack represents “The Why” for me. Who is Jack?
Read MoreOur field is on a journey to becoming a profession and the road ahead is a bumpy ever-changing one. Early childhood education and the current journey to professionalism requires educators to work together to raise all ships by advocating for a professional pathway and a salary that compensates those willing to take the path.
Read MoreAdventure playgrounds are a natural extension of the growing movement toward conservation. Adventure playgrounds promote a conscious use of resources. Instead of creating more landfills, children can use recycled materials to create, take risks, and seek adventure.
Read MoreIn big cities, what opportunities are available for children to enjoy the challenge and fun of being outdoors? In Los Angeles, at the NAEYC conference, one program shared a workshop on this topic. The presentation was wonderful. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of playgrounds in big city programs.
Read MoreEvery community that is thriving needs connectors. A person that bonds the other participants together and can populate multiple worlds to shape community. Connectors represent the human glue, the ties that bind people together.
Read MoreBeing an early childhood educator is challenging and physical work. Our work also carries an emotional labor, guiding children and supporting families. The work embodies a noble task and contributes to the betterment of society, but at what cost?
Read MoreIn early childhood education teachers often experience busy multitasking days. Our days are filled with joy and challenges in the care of others. In our practice exists a delicate balance between solving problems effectively and promoting our self-care. Writing daily pages is a tool educators can utilize for reflective practice.
Read MoreThere are so many wonderful resources for early childhood educators and out of school professionals. These are five resources that challenge me to think about my image of the child as an educator. Whenever I reflect on these resources – they help me deepen my thinking and pause to see that the work I do is part of a larger picture.
Read MoreThe voices of early childhood educators have power. Our ability to make visible our practice is one of the best tools for advocacy that we have.
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