Suzy Potts_2021_Pedagogy Blog (8)

A Focus on Pedagogy - Where to Start

There is excitement, nerves, butterflies in the stomach, wonder, curiosity, and anticipation. The enormous potential of what is to come with the group of children coming together in a learning community is an amazing opportunity....
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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,...
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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...
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Discovering Insects

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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Color Mixing: A Summer Provocation

Throughout the summer, water play has a big role in the Outdoor Studio. One of the ways I’ve found to defeat the heat and help children stay happy while outdoors is to use water in...
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Love for the Praying Mantis - A Life Science Experiment

Growing up, I spent my summers outside hunting for tadpoles, finding bugs, and riding horses. With my love of nature, my first science experiment involved hatching praying mantises in the middle of winter. Prior to...