Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. This quote by Emilie Buchwald says it all. Children learn language from direct interaction with meaningful people in their lives. Learning is facilitated when children have trusting relationships. So just imagine the amount of learning potential when parents read to their children! During February, the month of LOVE, help your child develop a LOVE for reading! Commit to reading at least 1 story/day for the rest of the month. That’s … [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...]
Dear Dinosaur: T Rex on Tour, A Book Review
Dinosaur Week at preschool was always an anticipated time. Everyone's imaginations was captivated by dinosaurs! So I was very excited to read the copy of Dear Dinosaur: T. Rex on Tour by Chae Strathie I received from B-E-S Publishing. OVERVIEW The general story line: A young boy named Max visits his local museum of history with the intent of viewing the dinosaurs. Once there, though, he discovers the exhibit is closed as the dinosaurs are on tour. Following a suggestion that Max write T. Rex … [Read more...]
Video Games Day–Making the Case for PLAY
I was kind of left with my mouth on the floor when I found out what day it was...Video Games Day?!! Really? We need a day to encourage and celebrate playing video games? (sigh) How about trying for a NO-Video Games Day? Now that would be something out of the ordinary!! I'm not going to say video games don't have a place or don't have any beneficial aspects (read 6 Scientific Benefits) but they are inappropriate for young children. Young children need PLAY! Consider PLAY as one of the … [Read more...]
An Overview on PLAY
I'm sure you should know by now, I'm an advocate for children. As an their advocate, I promote PLAY. Below is an overview on PLAY noting the stages and types of play plus highlighting some of the benefits children receive from play. Play is fundamental to childhood and is critical to a child’s healthy and optimal development. You might think play is play, but you'll see there are different stages of play children progress through–stages that build upon each other—and types of play … [Read more...]