For Your Binder

Autonomy is defined as a form of voluntary action (read: choice), stemming from a person’s interest and with no external pressure. When teachers support autonomy, students improve their academic performance, are more creative, better adjusted & feel less stress. But what about at home? Does parental support of autonomy influence the development of executive function and self-regulation skills?  #DAP #parenting #learning #teaching

A wonderful introduction to playwork as well as some key concepts and phrases. It also provides an overview of the play types as identified by Bob Hughes as well as tons of resources & notes at the end.  It might only be 20 some-odd pages, but for a small little book, it packs a punch!  #playwork #DAP #play #teaching #learning

Even juries get recess!!!!!  #recess #movement #play #DAP #outside #teaching #learning

Play and learning are deeply intertwined. Like yin and yang, play and learning are not only complementary, they are additive, the sum is always greater than their parts. #play #pushdown #DAP #learning 

This article begs the question, why are we so hellbent on, "bigger! better! faster! sooner! now!" ?? #DAP #play #pushdown #teaching #learning #parenting     

Disclosure: if you have been waiting for a "good reason" to subscribe to the NYT to access some of the articles I post, this might just be it.

What are we waiting for?  Sometimes I think we lost our faith in play. #DAP #learning #teaching

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

Remember what Steve Spangler teaches us - they aren't doing science until they start asking questions! Here are some ideas to get you started.  Remember you need TIME just as much as you need vinegar!  Repeat repeat repeat!  DO IT AGAIN! #science #handouts  #play #DAP #teaching

Need more ideas? Lisa has 3 other activity focused books! 

Missed the workshop? Want to watch it again? Got a DVD player? Lisa has DVDs of all her workshops! #oldschool  

The nursery (pre)school should be an extension of the family outward rather than of the elementary school downward. #mixedages #DAP #learning #teaching

Predictable, consistent, nurturing experiences are required to express the underlying potential of each child. #learning #teaching #DAP #relationships #care

In spite of the fact that the vital importance of play in young children’s development has been shown in study after study, many people (still) (unfortunately) believe that play is a waste of time in school. #play #DAP #pushdown #teaching #learning

Grouping children in narrow age cohorts is a fairly new practice! #mixedages #teaching #learning #DAP