Oct 31, 2023
A listener question about big block play gets us deep into a discussion about navigating power dynamics. The scale of big block play, along with the relative scarcity of the material in the classroom, seems to create some universal patterns. We want children to feel strong, confident and powerful as they create...
Oct 24, 2023
Eek! It's scary how fast the days go by. But don't be afraid, we found this classic episode to tide you over until a fresh one is ready next week.
As his favorite holiday approaches, Ross wants to talk about spooky stuff. Being faced with scary things, from monsters to giant potatoes, is a big part of childhood. Fear...
Oct 17, 2023
A child's newfound love of scissors has Joey wondering what is it about cutting that children love so much? Tom sees cutting as an act of agency. Mike and Ross note that scissors are a tool that offers the chance to act with a level of precision not usually available to a young child. A question for our practice is, if...
Oct 10, 2023
The grandkids were playing with the laundry chute and now Tom is thinking about how much children like to drop things as part of their play. Is it a need? Should adults to create opportunities to experiment with dropping things or is it better for children to invent their own games? Mike has fond memories of his...
Oct 3, 2023
Mike would like to broaden the definition of play and what it means to participate in it. Something is going on even when children "just watch" others at play. Tom reminds us that watching sports can be a fairly active pursuit. Ross remembers a highly engaged observer of wrestling play in his classroom. Joey...