For Your Binder

Despite evidence that play and social interactions are crucial to cognitive development, schools continue to take recess away. #recess #teaching #learning #outside #movement #DAP #pushdown

The first days of preschool can be stressful for everyone. In this short but helpful article, Lillian Katz offers a few ideas that might assist both parents and teachers.  #environment #learning #teaching #relationships #care 

While I have moved beyond creating prop boxes, this article, while a little dated, provides a nice reminder as to the importance of dramatic play and, should the children instigate an exploration of some of the themes that are presented, might serve as a starting spot for some additional materials that might add to the exploration and play. #play #teaching #learning #DAP

The American Academy of Pediatrics reminds us that the critical factor as to how a student will learn to read “is not how aggressively,” the child is given instruction, but rather their “own enthusiasm for learning” yet still, we push.  #DAP #reading #teaching #learning #pushdown #play #parenting

Words Matter! In any profession, having shared definitions of industry speak assists in communication and understanding.  #playtherapy #teaching #learning

In these secret places, children develop and control environments of their own and enjoy freedom from the rules of the adult world. #dens #forts #outside #environments #play #parenting #teaching #learning

This link will jump you over to the collection of Bruce Perry articles housed on the Child Trauma (CT) site. CT strives to translate emerging findings about the human brain and child development into practical implications for the ways we nurture, protect, enrich, educate and heal children.  #DAP #relationships #care #teaching #learning

This link will bring you to a Master's Thesis from a Bank Street student. In it she explores (the lack of) play as a social justice issue. "Helping low income kids" often gets translated into "eliminating play" and we know this flies smack in the face of what the research (which she does a fantastic job reviewing!) tells us should be happening for all children regardless of socio-economic status. The paper is informative; her references are invaluable.  #DAP #play #equity #teaching #learning

A nice overview of Lilian Katz' book, The Case for Mixed-Age Grouping in Early Education, 1990, if you have not yet read it! #DAP #learning #teaching #mixedages

Contrary to what your poopy face co-worker might believe, being child centered does NOT mean kids are running around naked with paint flying through the air!  This is the handout that goes with the workshop that goes with the book of the same title! #handouts #play #DAP #teaching 

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

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

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