Watching 2 Natural Playgrounds Part II

Earlier this week I spent some time at the newly openned, professionally designed natural playground. Kids have been exploring and enjoying it for about two weeks now. While I was there, a group of toddlers and their teachers were enjoying an unusually mild November day.
Several kids were huddled together in a large tunnel which makes the hill it is carved [...]

The Power of Pictures

When I think back on my childhood memories, I find that many of them are rooted in the photos that make up my family photo albums. I’ve often wondered if I actually remember the moment, or have just created a story based on the picture…
In the end, it doesn’t matter. Our memories (whether pure or [...]

Throw Out the Crafts! New Ways to Show the Value of Your Toddler Program

Many toddler teachers feel pressure to do craft projects with their children. I’m not talking about “exploring with crayons” or “experimenting with paint”. I’m talking about crafts that are supposed to look like something in particular like a jack-o-lantern or a classic holiday turkey. Projects where the teacher is doing most of the work, often [...]

Communication: A Skill Best Taught By Example

It’s easy to underestimate the language abilities of young children. Because infants and many young toddlers can’t communicate with words, we often assume that they can’t understand and don’t need to understand what is going on around them. The reality is that children understand language well before they can speak it. Communication begins at birth.
Infants [...]

Sharing is a Learned Skill

It’s no secret that young children (and especially toddlers) have a hard time sharing. And yet, when it’s our child who won’t share, we can’t help but worry- “Have I created a monster?” “Will my child be selfish forever?” “How will she ever make friends?” A parent’s anxiety is especially high when children enter group [...]