A view from the bridge
We can easily argue that this time spent outdoors, actively looking for the story nature leaves for us to read along the creek is better than any teacher-manufactured activity in a classroom. If this is kindergarten preparedness, give me a heaping dose of it every single day.
Stories 'round the Campfire
On these cold days, the children don't sit for a long time at the fire. The children get on with the work of their day, their play. Today, there was such joy in the cold air.
Becoming a reader
While the reading of a book holds great value, holding the story close in order to more fully explore the imaginings of the author's tale is an even greater value.This is how a child becomes a reader.
Just add tape
When we do our jobs right, children are able to feel that they live alone on their very own planet. We are just there to buy groceries. When he asked me for tape to lock everything up, I just gave him tape, but because I know a bit about play, I gave him plastic tape instead of masking tape.
Observe The Play
We observe the play, first and foremost, just for the joy of it. We observe to rediscover the wonder of play. Then we also observe to follow the relationships. We look for the connections between people, between bits of information, and between the children and the natural world. And because of this, we know the children.