Mar 29, 2022
Children's fine motor development is a complex, whole body process which is often oversimplified. Educators can be quick to label doing puzzles as "fine motor" while overlooking the ways in which pouring water from a big container or climbing a tree also supports small motor development. The conversation touches on...
Mar 22, 2022
Tom starts with the premise that children think by moving. If we ask young children to stop moving, it's like asking them to stop thinking. If we want to find out what children know, we should pay attention to their movements. But, by calling moving thinking do we undervalue movement for its own sake?
Mar 15, 2022
Mike opens up a discussion about play with the observation that even teachers who know the value of play don't always allow for it. Children's play can interrupt the adult's agenda and make them feel like things are out of control. Often there is a mismatch between a child's playful intentions and an adult's attitude of...
Mar 8, 2022
Mike wonders how to explain the value of "just watching." The group is eager to share examples of what children gain by watching and observing. When children watch others at play, they are learning new skills, gathering information, reflecting on strategy, building their courage and being a member of the community.