The need for private spaces.

Something I’ve noticed over the years of teaching young children is the need and love of hiding, of being in small spaces alone or with a few others, of crawling into places that are cave-like, and, probably most importantly, the need to not be watched 24/7. When I talk about private spaces, I am referring…

An Inquiry into the Alphabet, Letters, and Words – in progress.

This came up from a large group of children interested in letters and symbols to express themselves and their thinking on paper. I had observed a lot of children copying print in our environment, making up their own words by putting letters together and asking adults to sound out their word, as well as a…

Valuing Play

Documentation + Assessment. Let’s talk. The key to valuing play is to treat the work done through play as important. You need to show the same excitement and encouragement you show when the children are beginning to write, read, add, multiply, divide, ride a bike, etc. Spend time playing. Spend time watching. Spend time documenting their play….

Loose Parts.

I strongly believe that the power of unlocking imagination and creativity is though playing with loose parts. Here’s a great video of some teachers in Ottawa talking about how they use loose parts. What are loose parts? Pretty much anything that can be used in an open-ended way – buttons, pom poms, gems, wood, cardboard…

Block Play

I LOVE BLOCKS. I’ve seen the shyest children SHINE when explaining their work in the block area I’ve seen architects, artists, builders, engineers, planners, actors, bosses, delegates, peacekeepers I’ve seen communicators, mediators, observers, reflection, respect, responsibility, patience, active listening, constructive criticism, role play, decision making, compromise I’ve seen sign makers, plans, revisions, rule makers I’ve seen measuring,…