For Your Binder

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

A call for recess to serve as a restorative space when schools (re)open. # play # DAP # recess # equity # teaching # learning # outside

The splendor of “baby-owned” accomplishments is why Janet Landsbury recommends giving infants the opportunity to learn to sit on their own and not propping or positioning them.  This article lists some of the other reasons!  # movement # teaching # learning # parenting # DAP # theorists

The bad stuff has to go away for the good stuff to work.  # DAP # teaching # learning

Children's later school success appears to have been enhanced by more active, child-initiated early learning experiences.  This link will let you access the full article; and it's a good one!  # play # DAP # teaching # learning # pushdown

Imagine that!  Social and emotional competence is JUST AS important as the ABCs and 123s!  # play # DAP # teaching # learning

"This is not a child-care program. It's an educational program."  It's a dated article but I still roll my eyes at the comment.  # pushdown # DAP # teaching # learning 

If we don’t allow children the freedom to move their bodies in different ways with simple challenges, how do we expect them to become capable of navigating their environment without getting hurt? Risks and challenges are important for healthy sensory and motor development and this article will assist you in really understanding why!

# play # risk # movement # outside # teaching # learning # DAP

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

This is one of the many articles that came out in 2022 in response to what has simply become known as "The # Vanderbilt study.  A quote from the article, "We might actually get better results, she says, from simply letting little children play." # play # DAP # teaching # learning # Tennessee

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

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