For Your Binder

In this Not Just Cute blog post, author Amanda Morgan taps into the house metaphor I use in my PLAY book and uses true-to-life language (they were building a home at the time) that invokes both literal and figurative images of the importance of a strong foundation! #play #DAP #teaching #learning #parenting 

A brief peek into Comenius, Locke, Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel, Steiner, Montessori, Freud, Erickson and Piaget. Bringing together the WHAT the WHY and the HOW. #learning #teaching #theorists

Childhood naps are neat. Without them, little people grow up to become airhead administrators. #pushdown #play #DAP #teaching #learning

Here is the full text of the essay Tolkein presented (in an abbreviated form) in 1938 at St. Andrews, Scotland.  A couple of my favorite quotes: "If fairy story as a kind is worth reading at all it is worthy to be written for and ready by adults."  And, "It may be better for them (children) to read some things, especially fairy stories, that are beyond their measure rather than short of it. Their books like their clothes should allow for growth, and their books at any rate should encourage it." #books #stories #fairytales #reading 

The author states that his guide on the visit said the den building was not an adult idea: it originated from children’s spontaneous activity. #dens #forts #play #outside #teaching 

Getting closer to YES!  #teaching #learning #art #creativity #play

I think it's fair to say that singing and hand clapping games play a relevant role in a child's life both culturally and developmentally.  In this paper, the authors defend the idea that clapping games play a big part of girlhood in Catalonia (Spain).  #recess #play #songs #DAP #playground

Our educational climate is often inhospitable to instigating a sense of wonder. #teaching #learning #creativity 

I happened upon this article while reading a newsletter that covers the happenings of the toy industry. The part that caught my eye was this: research found children talked more about others’ thoughts and emotions, a concept known as internal state language (ISL), when playing with dolls than while playing tablet games.  I mean we know this, right?!?  But I just love love love when someone does the math to prove it.  Access the full study here.   More fuel for our #play fire!  #toys #learning #DAP #screens #technology

I've included this resource mainly for the image you'll see when you click the link (although it's not an off-base blog post by any means!) I wanted you to see Mitch Resnick's Creative Learning Spiral without (full disclosure: forgive me) all of the MIT tech speak, including descriptions of the technologies he's created, that usually fill the articles that contain the image.  I love this image.  I also believe when children are playing they tap into this cycle of creativity without needing to scratch any crickets.  #play #DAP #creativity

Kindergarten should be the graduate school of fantasy play! Where did we go wrong?  #play #DAP #theorists #teaching #learning

You'll need to restock your ink and paper if you like to print things out. It'll be worth it!  #mixedages #learning #teaching #DAP