Music (& movement) at group time was always a favorite time for the kidlets and I’ve got to say I loved it just as much. But, as with EVERYTHING associated with early childhood education, there was more than just FUN going on during this time! Wondering what we're singing and doing here? ...building a shack that's breakin' our back! Listen below! Listening Skills Many of our songs were a ‘call and response’ type. These are perfect songs to help kiddos develop their … [Read more...]
The 5Rs of Early Childhood Education
School –what that usually means revolves around the 3Rs: “Readin’ and 'Ritin' and 'Rithmetic” When it comes to young children and their early education though, the 3Rs don’t apply. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents, as their children’s first—and most important teachers—to follow the 5Rs of early childhood education. They are: Read●Rhyme●Routines●Reward●Relationships READ—set aside time to read together, every day, with your child. Reading with your child … [Read more...]
PLAY ON! Open-Ended PLAY: What It Is & Why Your Child NEEDS It!
It is my belief—one strongly backed by research —that PLAY is the natural, and organic, way young children learn. PLAY addresses all areas of a child’s development and I’d go so far as to say it lays the foundation for a child’s overall success! Children go through various stages of development in terms of the way in which they PLAY. They grow and mature from: Unoccupied PLAY—infants basically being entertained by parents and/or observing their environment Solitary PLAY—children playing … [Read more...]
Speak Up–Helping Your Child Find Their Voice
"Speak up. I didn't hear what you said." The only thing that would make me cringe more, after hearing that phrase directed to a kidlet, is to hear their Mom or Dad say "Oh Johnny or Sally is shy." ARGH!! First off, adults need to be sure should to give young children enough time to answer. Secondly, I am not fond of the word shy....it's a self-defeating, self-realizing label. Children learn language from direct, interaction with their parents, other adults—even other children. It’s really … [Read more...]
Open-Ended Questions–Why You Want to Use Them with Your Child
At preschool, the kidlets often were presented with a question, either as they entered class or during group times. These questions tended to be open-ended questions--meaning there are no Right or Wrong answers and, therefore, they were free to give their opinion--and how often are kidlets given that option?! We took great pains for these to be private so the kidlets could come up with their own answer...and whatever they said was put down! I mentioned one of the benefits of open-ended … [Read more...]
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