For Your Binder

A push-down curriculum isn’t helping kids to get ahead, it’s simply ignoring the critical role of the foundation. #play #DAP #parenting #pushdown #teaching #learning

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

Here is another article that emerged in response to the final results of the #Vanderbilt study which came out in early 2022. From the article: "By 6th grade, children in the #Tennessee state funded Pre-K program did worse than their peers (who didn't attend) in measures of academic achievement and behavior. In some pre-K programs, something is not better than nothing."   #play #DAP #teaching #learning #pushdown

"This is not a child-care program. It's an educational program."  It's a dated article but I still roll my eyes at the comment.  #pushdown #DAP #teaching #learning 

It's only October, but already Nicky is exhibiting symptoms of student ennui. The other day, when his mother asked him the best thing about school, he said lunch. Most boring? Art history.  Sound typical?  Perhaps.  Except Nicky isn't a moody adolescent - Nicky is only 5.  #pushdown #DAP #play #teaching #learning

This 2015 report provides preliminary findings from the longitudinal Vanderbilt Study, which started in 2009.  This study set out to identify whether or not children who participate in Tennessee PreK programs make greater gains than children who don't. #teaching #learning #DAP #pushdown 

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  

This handout will teach YOU how to do The Apple Demo with a group! Why is it important? It is a very very strong visual exercise that reinforces the importance of the real in early childhood environments - NOT dittos NOT worksh*ts NOT flashcards! Memorize the steps and then take your audience through the different ways children might experience an apple. This is a great activity to do with parents at back to school night!  #handouts #DAP #teaching #learning #play #pushdown #parenting

Missed seeing Lisa demo this one? Maybe want to watch it again? Got a DVD player? Lisa has DVDs of all her workshops! #oldschool  

This is a link to an essay which was published in a few books, including All Work and No Play... How Educational Reforms Are Harming Our Preschoolers, edited by Sharna Olfman. After reading this stand alone essay you might decide that you need the whole book.  You might also start to wonder how many more essays and articles and books we need to write before folks believe us and the power of play!  #play #DAP #pushdown #teaching #learning #theorists

When we shortchange children's playtime in favor of "academics" we might actually be inhibiting their development. #play #pushdown #teaching #DAP #learning

Another opportunity to (re)consider what we mean by readiness.  #DAP #pushdown #play #teaching #learning

Kindergarten now serves as a gatekeeper, not a welcome mat, to elementary school. #play #pushdown #teaching