Let’s Talk School Readiness
As we prepare for children to enter school for the first time, we can begin the conversation about school readiness differently … with listening for the voices of our children.
The Colour of Identity and Belonging In Early Learning Programmes
My conversation with five-year-old Riley about skin colour bubbled up without my intention. It had been triggered by another child in the kindergarten class who proudly shown Riley and me a picture of a dog she had coloured.
From Borders to Thresholds for Learning
Borders to Thresholds: What if, in my role as educator, I was able to transform borders (places where there are big transitions or barriers) into thresholds? How could shifting my thinking from borders to thresholds impact my work with young children?
The Power of Stories
The power of stories. Most parents and educators are motivated to share books with children. But perhaps we need to ask ourselves why we believe sharing stories with children is important? Read this article about “teaching stories” and watch the video interview with Susan Josephs at Hoopoe Books.
Magical, Meaningful Story Times
In Engaging Children in the Story, educational consultant Susan Josephs describes how she learned that children need the opportunity to meet a new story with openness to its magic and mystery. Check out this article and video about creating meaningful story times.
Books for Inclusion in Early Learning Programmes
Humans have a long history of creating social boxes that categorize people. Sometimes, this imbues a sense of belonging … to a culture, or nation, or team. But a sense of belonging can also create a sense of exclusion of others. Stories can foster a sense of inclusion in early learning programmes.
Teaching Stories
Most parents and educators are motivated to share books with children. But perhaps we need to ask ourselves why we believe sharing stories with children is important? Read this article about “teaching stories” and watch the video interview with Susan Josephs at Hoopoe Books.
The Heart of Stories: The Heart of Hoopoe Books
In this video, Susan Josephs, from Hoopoe Books, talks about this convergence of values, shared knowledges, and partnership. She also introduces the brain research that supports a relational way of sharing stories that speaks to children and adults of all ages.
Listen! What do you hear?
Ontario Reggio Association’s professional learning – In Dialogue with Indications – begins its series with listening. How can we tune in to hear children’s deep wonderings about their world? Four-year-old Aubrey teaches me to listen for her big questions imbedded in simple comments and the question ‘why?’
Drawing to Learn in Children’s Early Years
Without the influence of the Reggio Emilia Approach, educators can be tempted to use drawing experiences to slot children’s thinking into check boxes compatible with child development theorists or emergent literacy goals. But is this way of making children’s thinking visible to adults usurping children’s meaning-making?