For Your Binder
New research finds “Magic 8” preschool classroom practices
This was one of the articles that emerged after the 2015 release of the preliminary results of the (now) oft quoted Vanderbilt Study. #teaching #learning #play #DAP #Tennessee #Vanderbilt
Play-Based Learning Leads to School Readiness
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
Building fine motor skills and why it matters
A short article with 10 different ways to build a child's fine and small motor skills! #DAP #play #movement #writing #teaching #learning
How Creativity Flourishes Through Play & Why It Matters
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
Nixing Recess: The silly, alarmingly popular way to punish kids
Sometimes it takes teachers AND parents to bring educational policies in-line with what we know about the importance of recess. #recess #play #teaching #learning #DAP #outside #movement
Crisis in the Kindergarten
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
Nurturing Creativity: Preparing young children for the challenges ahead
Creative thinking is critical for progress and for survival. How is it fostered? #art #creativity #play #teaching #resilience #DAP
Mirrors and Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
Books are sometimes windows to new worlds; real, imagined or strange. Sometimes books are sliding glass doors we walk through so we can join that world in our imagination. Books can also be mirrors; reflections of our own lives and experiences. This classic article reminds readers of the importance of offering books that provide all three. All of our children suffer when stories only mirror the dominant social group. This article might perhaps a much needed conversation about the contents of your book center! When I first read it I ended up launching myself down a very interesting rabbit hole and spent a fine afternoon reading articles that, albeit very dated, are probably still timely regarding the all white world of children's books. #reading #books #stories #teaching #learning #equity #inclusion #diversity #DAP #language #literacy
The crucial role of recess in school
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that recess is a crucial component of a child's development and should not be withheld for punitive or academic reasons. Of note: this position statement was reaffirmed by the AAP in 2016. #recess #DAP #play #teaching #learning #outside #movement
Curiosity, Pleasure and Play: A Neurodevelopmental Perspective
Predictable, consistent, nurturing experiences are required to express the underlying potential of each child. #learning #teaching #DAP #relationships #care
Why CUTE is a four letter word (full article)
Here for you is a scan of the full article from 1996! Play #art #creativity #teaching #learning #DAP
The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do
I fell down this amazing rabbit hole after hearing Jack Shonkoff, MD speak at a conference many years ago. Read this (albeit dated) report and then, seriously, carve out a few hours and spend some time exploring the rest of this site - super user friendly, wonderfully up to date and filled with a treasure trove of resources. #DAP #teaching #learning #play