For Your Binder
The Vital Importance of a Strong Foundation: Why early learning matters
In this Not Just Cute blog post, author Amanda Morgan taps into the house metaphor I use in my PLAY book and uses true-to-life language (they were building a home at the time) that invokes both literal and figurative images of the importance of a strong foundation! #play #DAP #teaching #learning #parenting
A “million word gap” for children who aren’t read to at home
Many articles came out after Logan, et al published their 2019 research. In this one, lead author Jessica Logan comments as to how the vocabulary word gap in her study is different from the controversial 1992 study often called the 30 million (conversational) word gap and may have different implications for children. #DAP #reading #stories #parenting #teaching #learning
Your Image of the Child: Where Teaching Begins
The school we are talking about is not the school you are familiar with in the past, but it is something that you can hope for. #teaching #learning #theorists
Top-Down and Bottom-Up Behaviors: Understanding the critical difference
When it feels like common sense and everyone should just "know it" (but they don't) it can be affirming to read about why it feels that way. Bottom-up behaviors are instinctual and unintentional. Top-down ones are deliberate and intentional. There is a difference. And how we approach them needs to be differentiated as well! #teaching #learning #relationships #specialed #expulsion #environment
The American Journal of Play
You can access the articles within The American Journal of Play free online or pay a nominal fee and have the journal mailed to you. The journal started in 2008 and is a scholarly yet accessible resource for your next college paper, deep dive into a specific interest area, or to show the wolves that, Yes Virginia, we are a scholarly profession! And BONUS! There is a search function within the journal section so you can drill down and get exactly what you were looking for! #play #teaching #learning #DAP
We’ll Come Back When You’re Teaching: Examining the Need for Curricular Reform in Higher Education in Response to the Introduction of Transitional Kingergarten in California’s Public Schools
What happens when you "add" a grade without considering the training of the folks who might end up teaching it? Or supervising it? #teaching #learning
The Role Of Play in Promoting Children's Positive Approaches to Learning
How children learn is just as important as what they learn! #play #learning #teaching #DAP
The Tennessee Pre-K Debate: Spinach Vs. Easter Grass
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
Dramatic Play: Bring it on back
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
Cut Out the Pre-Cuts: The trouble with themes in early childhood education
It's time to draw the line in the sand! #DAP #play #themes #art #creativity #learning #teaching
The Invisible Curriculum of Care
"I didn't get a master's degree to change diapers!" #care #relationships #teaching
Building Blocks of Math Skills: The Many Ways Block Building Supports Young Children’s Discovery of Early Math Concepts
Unit blocks have been around for over 100 years! Why is their potential still so often underestimated?? #math #play #blocks #DAP #learning #teaching
