In my last blog post, I wrote that the late Bev Bos used the phrase childhood amnesia to describe the way in which adults fail to remember what it was like to be a kid. Bev believed that if adults could remember, they wouldn’t do to children what we’re currently doing to them. That is…
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Way back in 2003, I wrote a book for parents in which, among other things, I warned against the “superkid” syndrome. It went out of print in a shorter amount of time than it took to write it, a situation I blame only partly on the stupid title the publisher gave it. I additionally attribute…
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What are some words that come to mind when you think about transitions in your early childhood setting? Might they include chaotic, noisy, unmanageable, frustrating, or time-wasting? These are some of the responses I receive when I ask that question in my presentations. I then ask: Not academically speaking, what things would be at the…
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The four components of the language arts are listening, speaking, reading, and writing. I’ve long contended that the first two don’t get the respect and attention they deserve because our education system focuses so heavily on the latter two — but especially on reading. That’s why I was thrilled to come across a post in…
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A funny thing happened on my way to stronger knees. I had just barely begun physical therapy to work the muscles around them when I realized that I’d been coddling myself for years. Because my aching joints and muscles had caused so much discomfort, I had, with just a few exceptions, become too sedentary. It…
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At this time of year, our thoughts turn to wish lists and goals. So, with that in mind, I thought I’d let Santa know what I want for children in the new year. Here’s my list, in no particular order: Free play! That means child-initiated and child-directed. As much of it as possible, please. The…
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Albert Einstein wrote, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Unfortunately, our system of education values and validates only the most narrow of abilities and talents, in essence judging every student by its “ability to climb a tree.” If a child happens…
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Recently I had a short debate on Twitter with Dr. Jennifer Ashton, known to many as the chief medical correspondent for Good Morning America. Typically, I don’t engage in debates because I’m not quick-witted enough to respond with snappy comebacks! But what she did on GMA that morning upset me, and I couldn’t let it…
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When you write about controversial topics – as I often do and as I did last week, when I addressed crisscross-applesauce – you have to expect to get some pushback. And I did get some. On my Facebook page, one teacher commented that teaching children to sit in a certain way isn’t bad. He wanted…
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How long could you sit crisscross-applesauce before you need to move? For me, the answer is: about 20 seconds max! Unless I’m deeply, deeply engaged in something, I will change positions multiple times or start to fidget. Even while watching something absolutely fascinating on TV, I may start by sitting with my legs folded underneath…
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This week’s post is written by Arthur Grant, a child play researcher, writer, and father of three. As the founder of Muddy Smiles, he advocates for (loads) more play both in schools and at home. —– As schools around the country push hard to reduce and eliminate recess time, child development and behavioral experts are pushing…
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Last week I thanked an early childhood professional for her flexibility in rescheduling a call with me. She replied by saying that, when you’re a teacher, you have to be flexible. I completely agree. Years ago, I wrote that flexibility is one of the keys to making experiences with children successful. Specifically, I mean that…
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This post was originally published at https://nancyebailey.com and is reprinted here with the permission of the wise and thoughtful Nancy Bailey. _____ Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. ~Fred Rogers One education topic that every…
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When I was a child, helicopter parenting would have been looked on with both suspicion and derision. My mother and father’s parenting style (if such a thing existed at the time) is often referred to as “benign neglect.” It sounds horrible and…well, neglectful. But it’s just the way it was back then, and it worked…
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I’ve written before about the need for early childhood professionals to advocate for the right of children to be children (see here and here). And, as you would imagine, I’m not alone in this battle. For one, research professor and play advocate Dr. Peter Gray is a fierce defender of childhood; and that puts me…
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