Last night we took our five-year-old granddaughter to a public meeting with us. We left early, but not because she was misbehaving. It was past her bedtime; time to go. We took a couple of quiet … [Read more...]
made to play! Handmade Toys and Crafts for Growing Imaginations
I’m usually leery of books that claim to encourage imaginative play. Too often exact steps are given as to what should be imagined and how the play should be undertaken. made to play! isn’t … [Read more...]
Out and About at the Zoo
Our family has enjoyed reading aloud for years, even beyond the early reading days. There was a lull in the aloud-reading department after our children left home and before grandkiddos came along. Now … [Read more...]
Preschool Socialization
It’s no surprise that the most recent Head Start impact study shows no significant academic gains at the end of first grade for children who attended the government financed programs and those who did … [Read more...]
A Play Garden
Eighteen-month-old James begins the day with a smile. Even before breakfast, he is exploring his world. Never has he rolledover, reached for the snooze button, complaining that he just doesn’t want to … [Read more...]
Can Math Skills Be Fun?
Yesterday I read an article that implied that four- or five-year-old children should begin memorizing math facts by using flash cards. The writer’s thesis was math is easier later on when a child … [Read more...]
Play: Key to College Success
The other day my cat was stuck in a tree. He had no idea how to get out. How does that happen? He didn’t get to play in trees when he was a kitten. We lived in coyote country. Not just a few howls … [Read more...]
Let’s Get Dirty
Last night we were at a neighborhood bar-b-que and the children were running around enjoying being outdoors without adult intervention. As we were watching the joy of these children, maybe even … [Read more...]