It wasn't on Old McDonald's Farm, but my preschool was housed on a farm. That meant learning and interacting with animals was, by default and design, mandatory. I enjoyed introducing children to and sharing with the joys of being up-close and personal with the farm animals. Just like I enjoy it with my grandchildren! Farm Animals Teach Children So Much! ● The basics like: · their looks; · the sounds they make; · what foods … [Read more...]
Play-Based Activities for Play-Based Learning!
If you’ve been following PLAY & GROW for very long, you know one thing for sure about me. I’m more than passionate, closer to obsessed about, providing play-based activities so children PLAY! And why? The reason is twofold. First, PLAY is instrumental for children to gain the knowledge, skills, concepts and capabilities that they need now. Second PLAY lays this important knowledge/skills foundation from which children build upon for use in the future. The basic developmental domains in … [Read more...]
Work Your Body Grow Your Brain, A Book Review
In teaching a yoga class recently I realized how similar yoga is to ECE developmentally appropriate practice. By that I mean, both address the individual in a holistic way: Either in a practice that unites mind, body and spirit OR activities and/or experiences that address all areas of development ( Physical, Emotional, Social and Cognitive). Often it’s the promise of physical benefits that draws students in to yoga. Before too long, the other aspects naturally follow. I received the book, … [Read more...]
Why Nursery Rhymes are Important
If you’ve been following Play & Grow for any time you know I’m fond of rhymes for children. It doesn’t matter if they’re traditional nursery rhymes, action songs or fingerplays. Have you wondered why I’m so insistent children learn these? See below for just some of the benefits! Language & Reading: ● Nursery rhymes and/or fingerplays help children develop an ear for language! The rhymes and rhythms highlight the sounds and syllables in words. Repeated exposure to nursery rhymes or … [Read more...]
Risky Play–4 Reasons Parents Need to Relax
In my day, there was no risky play. Play was PLAY! Well, okay, maybe there was inside vs outside play or quiet vs noisy play, but none of this safe vs risky play. Scrapes, bruises, the occasional broken bone were taken in-stride and accepted as just part of Life for a growing child. Oh did Dylan have it right! Sometime after the 60s, when it came to children’s PLAY, the times were a-changing! Children naturally want to test their limits. Unfortunately that natural inclination has too … [Read more...]