Comments for MyCCDC.org

Comment on Animal Embassy – February 2012 by Margie Marumoto

Margie Marumoto — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:57:18 +0000

Hi ~ I’m Avery Perlstein’s grandma (Grammy), age 76, and I wish I could stretch out on the floor in the circle with the CCDC children to see the visiting animals up close. There was no pre-school in my day, and the only thing I remember about kindergarten is graham crackers and milk. I send my love to all you beautiful children !

Comment on Protected: Eileens First Photos by lynda oshinskie

lynda oshinskie — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:58:07 +0000

Comment on Yankee Playoff Tickets! by Piper Ward

Piper Ward — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:23:32 +0000

I will bid $500

Comment on Yankee Playoff Tickets! by LIbby

LIbby — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:58:54 +0000

No bids yet!!? Just making sure this is working

Comment on Play, Self-Control & Success by Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:37:57 +0000

Structured play programs have been developed in response to several influences that have resulted in a dramatic shift in the nature of play in early childhood. Factors include: 1. An increased focus on academic measures as indicators of “success” 2. An increase in screen time with computers and electronic media. 3. The commercialization of play in early childhood where children use characters from the media in their play with prescribed and one-dimensional roles. (Teachers report that children simply don’t know how to engage in fantasy play without scripted characters from movies and television) and 4. An increase in behavioral problems that interfere with a child’s ability to participate in unstructured play without support.

At CCDC, we continue to have a focus on free play for a good portion of each day. However, we also know that even during free play, children need support managing strong emotions and negotiating conflicts. These naturally occuring events provide opportunities to teach children more adaptive responses. In addition, there are some play scenes that are moderated by adults as a means to extend children’s learning and develop cognitive, social and emotional skills. A good example of this is dramatic play in the Preschool 4′s Program where a small group of children — typically no more than four — will team to construct a play scheme together. The teachers moderate and facilitate the discussion as children share ideas and come up with a plan to construct what they have observed, experienced or imagined before they use the construction as a backdrop for their play.

If anyone is interested in learning more about efforts to preserve play in early childhood here are a few good resources:
1. The Alliance for Childhood (www.allianceforchildhood.org)
2. Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment (www.truce.org)
3. Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (www.commercialexplotation.org)

Comment on Play, Self-Control & Success by dawn learsy

dawn learsy — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:17:23 +0000

Many of the new “play” programs are based on planned play which is very different than “free play”. Planned play divides the play into intent, planning, attempting to carry out the plan, problem solving and alteration of the plan, and completion— all executive functions. These programs are highly constrained in their goals and do no allow for the emotional exploration that “free play” allows our children. Studies from Sweden– the country with one of the highest literacy rates in the world, usually has free play based programs until the age of 7 or 8 when academics are introduced—that is about two years later that in the US.

Comment on Protected: Eileen’s Photos by MyCCDC.org » Blog Archive » Animal Embassy April 2009

MyCCDC.org » Blog Archive » Animal Embassy April 2009 — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:44:33 +0000