Creating a Welcoming Early Childhood Environment
Welcoming families, whether new or returning to a childcare or school environment, is an important first step any year. However, as we embark on this year following uncertainty with the global pandemic, making a safe, welcoming, and trusting environment for...
The Intersectionality of Art and STEM
“Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world. ”- Leonardo DaVinci Walking into my kitchen early one morning, all I see is a mass (and mess) of curly brown leaning over a...
My young neighbor, Lily, is certain to become an entomologist. Without fail this determined 5 year old is in her front yard every morning moving rocks and digging around the roots of a large tree. She keeps a variety of...
Summer Memories turned Classroom Opportunities
I absolutely adore summertime. It is by far my favorite season. The green grass, blue skies, the smell of a thunderstorm, and the emerging of all the bugs and animals make my inquisitive nature come to life. I’m sure...
Re-Inventing Outdoor Play and Learning - Part 2
Many indoor materials get a “new life” by bringing them outdoors for a few hours or a few days. Moving materials from indoors to out, even temporarily, helps children recognize possibilities for grouping materials in new ways, increases options for...
Re-Inventing Outdoor Play and Learning - Part 1
With warm weather here, children and adults are wanting to get back outdoors. Even with limitations currently in place, active play and learning is still vital! Most programs are in the process of assessing the tools and equipment that are...
Displaying and Organizing Loose Parts
Many questions that we hear involving Loose Parts have to do with how we organize and display the Loose Parts. A simple concept to consider when organizing materials is “less is more”. When there is a combination of too many...
