A gentle snow starts falling from the sky. Two children are inspired by the moment and begin to play. What are the elements that make up a play experience? What can we learn as an educator about the joy that comes from immersing ourselves in the moment?
Read MoreChildren’s actions appear simple but in reality are very complex, because children experience many variables in their daily walk of life, making decisions how they are going to respond to these experiences.
Read MoreRecently, I was riding home and I noticed a large group of children playing at the end of the street. The sight of many children out in the middle of the day playing, with no adults around, was wonderful. The children were loud and busy having fun riding their bikes, running around and drawing with sidewalk chalk all over the street.
Read MoreThe importance of free unstructured play is a popular topic right now. There is a call from parents, and professionals to create more opportunities for children to have free unstructured play. Free play was a staple of my childhood. All of the children in my neighborhood were encouraged, not really, told to stay outside and play with friends instead of watching TV.
Read MoreDuring the recent professional development days, early childhood educators told a story of “The Child’s Image of the Child.” In this presentation, the educators shared their stories of mixed age experiences between two classrooms, one of toddlers and one of preschoolers.
Read MoreOften in early childhood settings, we limit the possibility of what children can accomplish. Our assumptions, our self-imposed regulations, our need for order creates needless limits of what children can accomplish in our care.
Read MoreI receive many questions about school readiness, especially when it comes to reading. The most common question, “When should young children learn to read?” In the most educationally advanced countries, Finland, New Zealand, and Australia, children learn to read starting at age seven. In the United States, we start earlier. Rather than give a definitive answer, I want to explore the role of nature and nurture in learning to read.
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