For Your Binder

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

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

Read the article, then print out the table!  Keep it handy and share it too! It's a fantastic visual resource and reminder of the power of exploration and play! #play #DAP #teaching #learning #relationships #care

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.

The reason I used this link for you is because within it you will be able to access a few other articles that give historical and more recent (2014) context to this ongoing topic. The other reason is because this website as a whole is a fantastic resource for making sure your book area is providing windows, sliding glass doors and mirrors for everyone! #books #stories #DAP #language #literacy #equity #diversity #teaching #learning #reading

This is a bit lengthy and quite dated.  Of Note: there is no publication date provided, but it references stats from the 1990s so while I wouldn't advise quoting the numbers, the general overarching premise is timely: the wildest colts make the best horses.  Are we medicating to truly assist? Or to increase compliance within a broken system?  #teaching #learning #DAP #movement

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

A while back - while falling down another rabbit hole in my effort to learn what "panopticon" meant (I heard it at a #playwork conference and didn't know what it meant) -  I stumbled across quite a bit as to how theme parks, specifically the Disney ones, fall into the same category. #playground #play #panopticon 

Many screen based programing for infants and toddlers is advertised as "educational," yet evidence doesn't support this.  #DAP #screens #technology #parenting #teaching #learning

Worth the cost of the ink to print out all 140 pages!  From page 11:

This playbook aims to give readers:

• insight into gaps and issues inherent in thinking about inclusive playground design and practice

• insight into how inclusive playgrounds and their surroundings are experienced together

• potential strategies that will contribute to project discussions, designs, budgets, and more

• a depth and breadth of ‘how to’ guidance for designing inclusive playgrounds

• ways to ensure that any inclusively designed playground and its surrounding environment are accessible and welcoming to children with disabilities and their families

#play #inclusion #accessibility #equity #environment #recess #playgrounds #DAP #movement #outside #teaching #learning

Part III in a series by Peter Gray. #play #DAP #learning #teaching

Her actual paper is available on SAGE (if you have access) and there is a link within the body of this link you do!  This immediate link will bring you to an article where she gives an overview of her findings.  Additionally, she wonders how ECEs view risk taking? Is it limited to risky play? Or perhaps something more??   #risk #play #teaching