For Your Binder

For your consideration, I offer a counter-comment to this article: How about instead of applying another adult-directed ACrYNoM we put back into early childhood programs the things the adults stole in the first place?  I'll offer time, choice, play and mixed ages to get the conversation started...  #mixedages #play #DAP #teaching #learning 

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

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

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

The art of making a space for the playfulness and messiness of teaching requires courage and letting go! #learning #teaching #creativity #art

A timely reminder!!! #play #teaching #learning #parenting

While the journal ceased publication in 2020, they continue to provide their articles as an archived resource and in the summer of 2020 Louise Parks, then editor of the Texas Child Care Quarterly, shared a review of my book Lisa Murphy on...  Being Child Centered with my editor at Redleaf Press, as well as some humbling words for which I will be forever grateful:

I’m delighted that we were able to include a review of On being Child Centered by Lisa Murphy. I’ll confess to laughing out loud (and shedding not a few tears) as I read Ms. Murphy’s wise and witty words, and longing for my days back in the classroom with eager, curious, and energetic three-year-olds. In a spectacular amalgam of Lilian Katz and Vivian Paley (my ECE heroes) Murphy calls educators to task (Katz) with anecdotes and examples (Paley) that are accessible, meaningful, and empowering of both adults and the children in their care. Can you tell this is one of my all-time favorites?!

#play #teaching #learning #inthenews 

Schools can be more than just institutions that regulate childhood; they can be something else! #learning #teaching

The Phi Delta Kappan takes a look back and considers the importance of caring about caring; including an article previously shared here.  #relationships #caring #learning #teaching 

Many preschools in the United States are actually doing the polar opposite of what the research recommends. Couple this article (from 2018) with the recent findings from the Vanderbilt Study and there is simply no reason for play to be pushed aside any longer!   #play #DAP #teaching #learning

For very young children, art and early writing skills are one and the same. But this changes over time! This article provides an easy to read overview of the early stages of writing and scribbling.  It also provides user friendly trips on how to encourage creativity while at the same time assisting children in learning that words are powerful and have meaning! #reading #writing #DAP #scribbling #creativity #teaching #learning

A challenge: Start talking about the 16 Capabilities rather than academic readiness as the desired outcome for ECE programs.  Can you imagine every child going to kindergarten having mastered these 16 things?!?! #DAP #play #learning #teaching #pushdown

Also, you are going to want to read more from the author, Tom Drummond and his fantastic work in ECE, so click here to access his full website!