For Your Binder

Why cute is still a four-letter word:

1) cute activities insult children's intellects

2) cute activities mistake doing with learning

3) cute activities often miseducate

4) cute activities undermine professionalism

5) cute activities frequently undermine educational equity

Instead:

1) pose real questions

2) ally with children: believe in them, strive to understand, identify with them

3) share responsibility: wonder together, set high expectations, help children in their choice making

A summary of the Editorial: On Behalf of Children, by Mary Renck Jalongo, from Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol  24, No. 2, 1996, page 67.

You can also watch this more recent video of the same title! 

#art #creativity #DAP #teaching #learning

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

I think it's fair to say that singing and hand clapping games play a relevant role in a child's life both culturally and developmentally.  In this paper, the authors defend the idea that clapping games play a big part of girlhood in Catalonia (Spain).  #recess #play #songs #DAP #playground

A short article that includes 10 ideas for large and gross motor skill development in young children! #DAP #play #movement #outside #teaching #learning 

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

This was the intro piece to a special edition of the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 34:1, 2-5. Questions to ask regarding our own practice: Is it culturally appropriate? Is it contextually appropriate? And, is it child appropriate? This special edition invites educators to consider local cultures and contexts while designing experiences for young children.  What might work in classroom B might NOT work in classroom E! More rationale as to why we must continually reflect on our practice!!!  #teaching #DAP #diversity #learning #equity

Remember what Steve Spangler teaches us - they aren't doing science until they start asking questions! Here are some ideas to get you started.  Remember you need TIME just as much as you need vinegar!  Repeat repeat repeat!  DO IT AGAIN! #science #handouts  #play #DAP #teaching

Need more ideas? Lisa has 3 other activity focused books! 

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

The findings consistently show that the foundation is what supports the house!  Want a huge academic mansion? Then make the foundation rock solid!  This is the handout that goes with the workshop that goes with the book of the same title! #play #DAP #pushdown #teaching #handouts

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

A good synopsis! #DAP #play #teaching #learning #parenting

We went from advocating safety first, to safety only. Read why what adults might call aggressive is a stepping stone to compassion.  #play #DAP #powerplaying 

Unit blocks have been around for over 100 years!  Why is their potential still so often underestimated?? #math #play #blocks #DAP #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