Part of my practice as an educator is moving throughout the learning space and engaging in conversation with different children. During these interactions, I am looking for an opportunity to observe a child or a group of children, as they work on an exploration that invites further investigation.
Read MorePaper planes are a classic activity for children. Paper plane design has come a long way from the classic dart to the modern craft of today. What has not changed is the connection the children create around an activity the love.
Read MoreChildren use pre-made and created props as a backdrop to their imaginative play. Props add depth to the story they create. Props give children motivation to continue developing their characters and the adventure.
Read MoreAs children explore new materials socializing is a big part of the work itself. Communication and sharing of ideas enhances the experience for the group. The collaboration leads to further exploration, iteration, and social connection.
Read MoreWe continued the exploration of different gooey tactile materials with the children. For our next experiment we decided to try a classic recipe and make salt dough. What did we learn together from this experience?
Read MoreThe joy of life is savoring the moment. Being present for the moment is where the greatness of the work lies no matter what the end result is. Doing is what matters not the conversation we have in our head while the moment is before us.
Read MoreI invited the children to explore building on a large mirror. For this work we started with only two materials, plastic cubes and popsicle sticks. Building on a mirror offers a different perspective of the work. I wanted to observe how the children approached building on this surface.
Read MoreI decided to spend one week and watch the Magna-Tile building with intention. I wanted to see if I could find out what makes this material the most popular of all building materials. Here is what I observed.
Read MoreLooking closer at the philosophies of different schools, there are guiding lights in the practice of these programs that stand out as lighthouses for all people who work in early childhood education.
Read MoreTechnology is wonderful. The potential of computers to expand our knowledge is amazing. In our field, many schools use computers and technology to engage in meaningful work.
Read MoreWhen we enter into learning as co-learners, we construct our practices together. Our dialogue with all members of the learning community involves diverse perspectives that help to shape our ideas of children.
Read MoreMaterials do not have to be fancy or expensive to provide wonderful creative opportunities. Recycled materials are free, easy to acquire, plentiful, and provide children the opportunity to imagine and create their ideas.
Read MoreWhen we adopt the stance as co-learners, we acknowledge our responsibilities to scaffold and support the specific ideas and theories that children bring forward into our classroom, programs, and our lives.
Read MoreObserving children and documenting as they are creating and expressing ideas, is an opportunity for educators to discover insights into the thinking process, skill development, and the learning journey of a child.
Read MoreAs humans, we are all invested in discovering our world. The practices of discovery allow us to test ideas of what might be happening, to draw conclusion, and to create a construct that explains and categorizes as a ‘truth’ from our discovery.
Read MoreThe traditions of school age care has supported thousands of children and families in the history of our practice. Why does school age care look the same as it was 100 years ago?
Read MoreNot all of the work we do together needs to originate from the children to be fun and beneficial. Process art benefits the children by teaching techniques they can use in future creative work.
Read MoreGooey materials are wonderful because like all great materials they are adaptable to all children. Children of all ages enjoy gooey materials. The drive to play with this type of material starts young as we discover some water mixed with dirt makes the original gooey material, mud.
Read MoreThe children love to create with cardboard and recycled materials. The amount of creativity and concentration the children display when creating with cardboard continues to amaze me. When the material appears to have reached the limit of creative license, the children invent a new way to explore the possibilities of this wonderful material.
Read MoreCardboard is a wonderful resource for children to create with and is easy to collect year around. Many children use cardboard to create and express all types of ideas. Ideas that bring people together in the learning community.
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