School begins in about a month. After Labor Day, I will again see hundreds of children walk down to the school bus for their first day. For their benefit, I wish they would go outside sooner.
Read MoreWhen choosing their own work, often children are engaged with other children. The process of exploring questions is done in collaboration. The process of discovery and creation then becomes a place for social interaction and learning about each other.
Read MoreWhile acquiring a new skill some children verbalize their challenges. The children often verbalize thinking we will tell them how to overcome an obstacle. Our role as an educator is to scaffold and work alongside the children. We need to support their investigation and their struggle without fixing the problem.
Read MoreCommunication is an important part of the creation and continuation of play. The children give feedback to each other and this is the roadmap to where play or the creative process is going.
Read MoreWhen children are engaged in activities there is often a concern or a conversation among adults if the activity is educational. What does the term educational actually mean?
Read MoreIn programs with free choice collaboration blooms. Collaboration begins with discussions among children as they work. Communication feeds action as children share ideas and begin to work together.
Read MoreMaking connection and learning about each other are wonderful benefits of children choosing their own work. Child led collaborations create a deeper connection and understanding about one another.
Read MoreOften we document the success stories in our work with children. Some of the work we do is not as successful. Usually this occurs when we move away from the principals that inform our practice for the sake of convenience.
Read MoreAs an educator, we give time to others. We give selflessly to our schools, community, and children. The demands of serving others often take precedent over developing a rejuvenating self-care practice. Incorporating more play into our lives will support our growth and well-being.
Read MoreI read a quote that said the two most important days in a life is when you are born and when you find your calling. Too often we are looking for permission. We find something we love and are passionate about. We share it with others looking for a seal of approval.
Read MoreWhen educators observe children and stay in the moment, their actions and words give us clues about their interests and provide the direction our explorations will go.
Read MoreAll people are searching for space to create conversations that make connections easier. Today, the children used dry erase boards to create connection within the learning community.
Read MoreA discussion started amongst the children about if using others ideas was acceptable, to look at another design and then incorporate those ideas into your creation.
Read MoreChildren love using recycled materials to create. The open-ended nature of the materials invite children to explore and dream about what is possible.
Read MoreThe invitation asked the children to use simple materials and go on a journey. A journey without a known destination. How did an exploration of paper, paint , and pressure invite the children to discover new insights into their creative process?
Read MoreChildren are amazing at living in the moment. They move about their day taking in the world with all of their senses. Children get to experience the true meaning of life.
Read MoreMany oohs and aahs came from the children gathered around the table where the egg drop was taking place. The volume in the room rose as conversation ensued about what happened to the first egg. Children shared on the spot theories as they collected the next egg to drop. .
Read MoreIt is wonderful to see children use tools and explore techniques from previous explorations to create new work. Often, creative work initiated by one child motivates other children to join in the creative process.
Read MoreChildren often gravitate toward a favorite material and combine that with a new material they are interested in exploring.
Read MorePart 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.
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