For Your Binder

Another opportunity to (re)consider what we mean by readiness.  #DAP #pushdown #play #teaching #learning

Louder for the people in the back!  #DAP #play #teaching #learning

Although neuromyths might have some truth to them, careful reading of the original research often demonstrates that the findings have been misinterpreted, simplified or are based exclusively on animal studies with limited implications for humans.  This link will hop you to a chapter from Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science (2002) which specifically address 3 of the (now identified 6) myths.  #teaching #learning

Another great article from when the preliminary Vanderbilt Study data was released (2015). The quote that caught everyone'e eye:  "It's like saying spinach is really good for you," Farran says, "but we can't afford spinach. But here, I've got this Easter grass. Maybe that will be just as good."  

Ouch. #DAP #play #learning #teaching #Vanderbilt #Tennessee

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

While I would (re)(para)phrase the findings of this report to say: when children have the time to make choices as to how they spend their time, there is evidence of higher levels of executive function skills, I was not on the research team. But that's my non-scientific take-away all the same!  #teaching #learning #DAP #play

An oldie but a goodie about messy play and art! #art #play #DAP #creativity #teaching #learning #parenting

This article was written by the lead researcher in what is simply referred to now as "The #Vanderbilt Study" - in it she reminds us that greater focus on academics for three and four year olds is not the solution. Her metaphor of an iceberg is a powerful visual; the tip of the iceberg are things we can see (read: measure) like ABCs and 123s, but what is below the surface?  What has actually made these other things visible? Curiosity, persistence, self-control... and when are those skills developed? When children #play !!!!!  #Tennessee #DAP #teaching #learning #environment #pushdown

It's not just what is said, it is what is unsaid. Maybe conduct the bead test at your next staff meeting?!?  #implicitbias #teaching 

Did you have the hidden power of knowing about a "secret spot"? #dens #forts #outside #play

Age is not always an accurate predictor of a child's actual development.  #DAP #learning #teaching #mixedages

This link provides two excerpts from Rhoda Kellogg's book, Analyzing Children's Art as well as six related resources, also by Kellogg. #art #creativity #scribbling