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.
Are you looking for a fun playlist of songs to use in your classroom this Valentine’s Day? I am so excited to introduce you a very special two-part song that I used in my own classes. One version of this song starts with babies and the second part grows into the concepts for toddlers and preschoolers to practice. Next, I’ve included a list of five song recommendations that I used time and again in my own music classes.
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.
No two children are exactly the same, and neither are any two early childhood educators. Each offers their own unique teaching style & philosophy – and what might be one’s strength could be another one’s weakness.This is why an early learning hub that supports each educator’s needs is so valuable to our industry!
Written by Lorrie Holmes
The more fulfilled our educators are, the more they have to give to our children and what could be more ideal than that, which is why we are so excited to introduce you this new Early Childhood Educators Hub – to set up these educators with success, much like the kiddos in their care. This is why we are so excited to introduce you all to this new early learning hub!
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”
Fred Rogers
Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes
As we share our Educational Toy Reviews here created by Discovery Toys Early Childhood Educator also known as the Burnaby Toy Lady, you will learn how when you give a child an open ended toy and they will find ways to create magic with it. Throw in some time and space for them to explore and this play now becomes an opportunity to practice their language, motor, cognitive and even social-emotional skills. The exciting part of all this is that there are so many ways we can help set up such play for our children to learn and grow.
Felt Story Created by Meg Felt Stories
Featuring early learning themes like MultiCulturalism is such a wonderful opportunity to practice diversity and equality in the classroom with our littles. Though themes were something I struggled with and pondered about for quite some time, I started thinking more about how powerful it could be for preschool aged children to be able to explore strong concepts in many different ways. This all felt potentially positive as long as after the initial introduction, children were invited to take this learning where they wanted it to go as us educators stood by, ready to support any teachable moments – especially guiding and caring them through the social-emotional ones. Considering all of this, starting off with the theme All Around The World seemed a perfect choice as there is so much diversity here to explore. Throughout the unfolding of this unit in the Junior Kindergarten classroom at Bright Horizons Early Learning Centre in South Delta, BC, it proved to be a wonderful place to begin to help support our children to embrace both their differences and similarities.
We can’t go over it.
We can’t go under it.
We have to go through it.
Written by Lorrie Holmes
This is a musical story works as the perfect Bear Hunt Story Extender in its adaption for young learners in my Creative Arts classes. Whether it be the original story concept of the bear hunt, or something a little bit different such as a dino tour, the premise of having to go through obstacles instead of around or over them remains the same along with the message that this is the only way to work through many of those unexpected challenges that life throws at us.
Interviewed by Lorrie Holmes
My book publishing journey has been chalk full of researching, learning, connecting, and growing! My goal in creating Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD was, If my book can impact the life of one child with ADHD, then it will be worth it! Two years later, I now have a child who is diagnosed with ADHD. I have life experience with it. I am educated about it. I teach and coach children who have it. I am an author of a children’s book about it. I am also a mama to a daughter who is impacted by it! These are all of the things that have turned me into an expert on ADHD.
Katelyn Mabry, Author, Hi It’s Me, I Have ADHD
Children’s performers are a unique breed in themselves – ones that criss-cross, hop, skip, and leap from one genre to the next. Even though there are no rules about style, one rule still remains unspoken. Unlike any other singer/songwriter, if a children’s artist wants to be taken seriously, they need to understand their audience.
Written by Lorrie Holmes
What could be a more powerful foundation to learn about these young music listeners then that of an early childhood educator? After all, she/he is the one who program plans and selects songs for Circle Time, Story Time, Music & Movement Time, and Free Play where some kids enjoy spending time in the music area. I mean, if you gained your material for writing these sorts of songs in the trenches of the classroom, down on your knees, eye-level to this young and discriminating audience, then how could you possibly go wrong? It sounds like a pretty solid focus group to me!
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