As the end of January approaches, bringing with it the start of registration for the next school year, I have the opportunity to speak with lots of parents as they are making decisions about a preschool for their child. It is always an exciting and fascinating time for me, one of the perks of my […]
Does Education Reform Need Reforming?
Too Much Technology?
The weather and a terrible cold have kept me home for the last few days, doing some reading, writing and watching TV. During this time I saw a program on Frontline about how technology is affecting all of us, entitled “Digital Nation”. If you missed it, you can watch it online at www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/ . I […]
Halloween is Not so Scary
Almost every year someone asks me how I feel about celebrating Halloween with young children, especially in a church setting. My personal feeling is that Halloween is much like many other things in life; it’s all about how you look at it. I look at it as a learning opportunity. At our school we tell […]
Becky Bailey and Conscious Discipline
We closed our playschool last Friday so that our staff could attend the North Carolina Association of Educators of Young Children conference in Raleigh, and what an awesome experience it was. We don’t go to this conference every year, because of the cost, but when I heard that the keynote speaker was Dr. Becky Bailey, […]
Language is the First Step Toward Literacy
Please Speak up for Our Children
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY Our very own Miss Elaine will have an opportunity this summer to have lunch with Howard Coble, one of our NC legislators in Washington, DC. She has volunteered to take him information about the importance of play for kindergarteners and also a petition from North Carolina citizens asking for the legislature to […]
Kindergarten Cram
The following article is by PEGGY ORENSTEIN and was originally published on April 29, 2009 in the New York Times. Here’s a link to the Original Article. This article really speaks to my concerns. Miss Barbara Kindergarten Cram By PEGGY ORENSTEIN Published: April 29, 2009 About a year ago, I made the circuit of kindergartens […]
Growing Your Child’s Brain
Brain research shows that the experiences children have, or do NOT have, create actual physical effects on the way the child’s brain develops. Below are suggestions for activities that will encourage positive brain development. Try them this summer and have fun “growing your child’s brain.” Have conversations with your child. This is the best way […]
My Personal Mission – Play
Besides providing nutritious food, immunizations and a safe environment, it is also important to children’s health that we provide them opportunities for creative play. I have felt strongly about this for many years and am gratified that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the NC Department of Public Instruction, and the National Association of Educators of […]