Written by Lorrie Holmes
What better way to start your Spring lesson planning than with the tried and true book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which continues to expand into a whole collection of titles you can use to plan a fun Spring Classroom Theme around!
This story, written and illustrated by the infamous Eric Carle, was a must use every spring in my own preschool lesson planning! The original story offers such unique artwork in a style that is Eric Carle’s alone, and pulls the children into the fun activity of going through all of the days of the week as this very hungry caterpillar munches and crunches his way through a whole lot of food choices, some healthy and some sneaky!
Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes
As Swiss Psychologist, Jean Piaget, once stated, “Knowledge is a consequence of experience.”
There is a lot of truth to this statement and as education continues to evolve, Project-Based Learning (PBL) has become more recognized. In fact, many schools have actually taken on a Project Based Learning Model in offering their students the opportunity to apply many of their core learnings to these projects as part of their curriculum.
Today we are sharing an interview I recently conducted for BC Parent Newsmagazine on two leaders in our education community on project based education – Paul Romani, Director of Pear Tree School and Owen Hann, V.P. of Operations for Steamoji – about what Project Based Learning means to them and their students, how they go about offering such emergent programs, and what they feel the benefits are for the students who engage in these programs.
Written by Kathy Eugster, MA
We are learning from the fields of neuroscience and child-development how important it is for parents to play with their kids. That children need many positive, face-to-face interactions with attentive, sensitive, and responsive parents or caregivers for healthy brain and nervous system development. Play activities between parent and child are excellent ways to provide these necessary interactions to children.
Parent-child play offers unique benefits to children over children’s peer play or independent play because parents are older and wiser and can support their child’s development in a variety of different ways. Many research studies have found that play between a parent and child is one of the best ways to strengthen the parent-child relationship.
Written by Lorrie Holmes – story originally published in BC Parent!
We have recently spoken with three child development experts who all agree that children learn best through play. Beginning with renowned counsellor, scientist and storyteller, Dr. Deborah MacNamara, along with early childhood education college instructors, Candiss Brown and Nika Jibrael – according to all three, play is where it all begins.
BC PARENT: Why is play so important to the development of young children?
DR. MACNAMARA: The research on the science of play finds there are three key areas it serves when it comes to a child’s development. Play is central to overall brain integration, with motor and sensory systems networking with language and emotional centres. In play, a child’s sense of agency is enhanced as they explore and make sense of their world, developing as a separate self in the process. The discovery of personal preferences, wants, wishes and desires is based upon this type of examination of the world, up close and personal.
This Valentine’s Day, we have decided to share some Gifts Of Friendship with you told through the voices of these children’s songs. We are starting off with the duo – Bobs & Lolo. Their partnership did not begin as a business arrangement but rather, blossomed from a lifelong friendship that started at the tender age of eight, when these two met at Girl Guides. There, they shared their love for nature and music, and discovered how much they had in common. Of course, there were a lot of songs they shared around the campfires! The photo above depicts these two getting ready for a high school talent show! Yes, they also went through high school together and have been there for each other throughout all their milestones in life.
They have always been there to support each other’s dreams. After going off and pursing their own post secondary careers, they were able to come back together with their degrees in education, and combine their experiences as both teachers and child performers. Now these BFF’s travel the world together performing their own songs to children and their families – living the dream of any child performer.
We have always had each other and for that, we feel so grateful.
BOBS & LOLO
The first thing that struck me when I entered through the front doors of Asland Academy in Vancouver, British Columbia, was the combination of warmth and organization. The structure of this Reggio Emilia-Inspired preschool was definitely there though it was offered in a way that was inviting to the children, and myself. When I was first introduced to this unique preschool academy, I was quite surprised to learn that it was run out of a home – especially after having a conversation with School Manager, Natalie Qiu, who was very professional when sharing their philosophy and curriculum. In fact, I was so intrigued that I decided to go pay her a visit in person.
Approaching the front door, I was greeted by a cute little lion and asked Natalie about it. She asked me if I had ever read The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. I noticed the twinkle in Natalie’s eye as she patiently waited for my reply. Of course, Aslan The Lion! Natalie smiled and nodded. “That’s right”, she added.
by Lorrie Holmes
GIVE AN INJURED, SICK OR ORPHANED MARINE MAMMAL A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY WITH A SYMBOLIC ADOPTION.
I had so much fun creating this story for BC Parent Newsmagazine and am happy to share it with all of you here at Kids News & Reviews. Be sure to also check out our past story about the Vancouver Aquarium written by one of our Kids Who Write!
Internationally renowned for it’s groundbreaking stranded marine mammal medical program, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) responds to over 300 marine mammal emergencies annually and runs Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility. Over the 60 years in operation, VAMMR has successfully rescued and rehabilitated over 3000 marine mammals.
So many kids get lice in January and it has nothing to do with their hair type, colour, gender or household income – it happens just after certain times of year when they gather in larger groups – like during the holidays.
Dawn Mucci, Founder of Lice Squad
The fact is that head lice are an incredibly common affliction, and no-one is immune! Lice can happen to anyone at any time regardless of hair type, hair colour, gender or household income. Lice are common in schools, in daycares, in camps – pretty well anywhere kids (or adults) gather.
SOME FACTS ABOUT HEAD LICE!
A day in the life of a little Sapling is one filled with joy, connection, and so much imagination.
Written by Shannon Emery, Forest Educator
HEADING OFF FOR SOME OUTDOOR DRAMATIC PLAY!
We head off to the forest for a day of dramatic play with our packs loaded up with snacks, water bottles, and extra gear. The supplies we bring with us depend on our group and the current interests and inquiries that weave their way throughout our outdoor play time together. Sometimes it’s our magnifying glasses and clipboards so we can observe and document our findings, other times it’s a mud kitchen set to create a myriad of delicious pies, cakes, and soups. Whatever we bring with us, it’s minimal. After ample time exploring the forest with the same group of 3-5 year olds, there is little reliance on non-natural materials. The relationship they’ve built with the natural world is a thing of magic, and their play is inspired as much by their lived experiences as the forest landscape around them. In a world where we are conditioned to think more is best and consumerism has arguably reached an all time high, nature reminds us that we don’t need all that extra ‘stuff’ to keep us happy and content. The more time we spend outside with our group of Saplings, the more we see this to ring true. In the forest, a bucket of pinecones, leaves, and some mud transforms into a delicious batch of cupcakes. A long stick becomes a magic wand, ready to grant wishes and turn our friends into mystical creatures. An open space between trees is a house, a castle, or a secret hideaway. A low hanging branch is the perfect hiding spot when trying to surprise your friends. The list goes on, and on.