As a trainer in the field of Early Childhood Education, I am amazed at the huge differences from the PreK environment to the K-3 environments. Can we advocate for change in the K-3 environments using the PreK model by keeping the 'play' in learning?
"The beginning scenario illustrates that children like Micah often enter into primary classrooms where the tools of play are missing, and this will continue unless advocates for play work diligently to change the status quo and provide an environment in which play and playful learning experiences are woven back into the classrooms for the children."
For the full text to this article go to: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Acknowledging+learning+through+play+in+the+primary+grades%3A+on+the...-a0220467973
Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent beginning to what I expect will develop into an advocate's strong views on ECE.
Patricia- Hi there. Just wanted to give you my revised blog url. http://kidgreen-donna.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteSee you in class, Donna
Patricia,
ReplyDeleteWOW! Have you blogged before? You really have a great looking site! I agree with you wholeheartedly that learning by playing is a VERY important aspect of education!! I look forward to learning from you and sharing ideas!
Tricia
My favorite story about a child is from January 2008. I was a Head Start Director for a program serving 117 children and families. I had been employed here for four months and the program was without leadership for 9-months before my arrival. The Federal Review Team was due to arrive in one-week and I did not feel we were near being ready.
ReplyDeleteThis day was one of those days when I was running on adrenalin; I woke up in the middle of the night wondering if bus drivers ever had their "on-board observations"?? Arriving early into the office I realized they had not and the Transportation Manager had no idea it was suppose to happen. I immediately begin the task of on-board observations of the bus drivers.
Clip board in hand, I board the bus and sit down next to a little boy whose parents are fully engaged in the local American Indian Pow Wows. This little boy has beautiful braids that fall neatly down the front of his shoulders. With his beautiful brown eyes and cute little smile he looks at me and says, "I want to sing you a powwow song." He proceeds with this beautiful song and I struggle to hold back the tears of relief this song does for my stress level. What a beautiful reminder for why I was doing what I was doing; to keep the children safe! Not to be in compliance with a Head Start Performance Standard!
I know high quality is the outcome of meeting all 2000+ Head Start Performance Standards but I lost my purpose in the preparation for this review.
My purpose was not to look good for the federal review; my purpose is to make sure children and families are safe, nurtured and are welcomed into a fun learning environment from the minute they walk into the facility until they arrive safely at home.
This is why networking with other early childhood educators is so important; they keep us connected to our purpose!
What a great story! I wonder if the little boy sensed that you needed stress relief in some way or if he was simply eager to share a song that he knew. It's amazing how we sometimes forget to see the forest for the trees. We lose sight of what is really important and why we really chose the field that we are in. It all comes down to the children for me (and it seems that it does for you as well). If we all were able to remember that it's all about the children 100% of the time, united by our common mission we could accomplish anything together and in little time.
ReplyDelete