Here are a few more photos of children finding ways to make the best of the several feet of snow we had on the ground by the end of January. The deep snow meant that when they came down the slide, the ground was even with the end of the slide. It also meant that they could “fly” off of the picnic table and land safely...
The Sunday, September 27 issue of the New York Times Magazine included an article titled: “Can the Right Kinds of Play Teach Self-Control?”. The article describes techniques included in a program called Tools of the Mind. The philosophy and approach will sound very familiar to CCDC families and staff! A few hightlights from the article: Over the last few years, a new buzz phrase has emerged among...
Everyone seems settled in their new classrooms and taking full advantage of beautiful fall weather. As early childhood educators, we are encouraged to observe children’s play and ask open-ended questions. We are rewarded with a little more insight and some great laughs. On the playground today, a boy and a girl from the 4′s Room were making a “chocolate cream pie” in the sandbox. The...
From Child Care Information Exchange… “We overestimate children academically and underestimate them intellectually.” Lillian Katz “One of my worries about the growing focus on academics and school readiness in programs for young children is it keeps many teachers from seeing children’s innate, lively minds at work.” Thus Deb Curtis opens her provocative article, “Seeing Children’s Lively Minds at Work,” . She continues… “When teachers are overly concerned about teaching...
From Exchange Every Day, June 12, 2009 Have a vision not clouded by fear. Cherokee Proverb Addressing an education conference in late 2006, Dan Gioia, then chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said that we need “a system that grounds all students in pleasure, beauty, and wonder.” He added, “If we are going to compete productively with the rest of the world, it’s going to...
Here are some highlights from the latest issue of Collage, a collection of articles and resources for early childhood educators. This issue is devoted to “The Power of Play” and includes articles from some of the foremost experts in our field. The issue provides theoretical and practical justification and perspectives. Some highlights are included below. You can read the entire text of the articles and resources...