Q-Camp: Plans for Tired Parents :)

This 2020 is an unusual year! You may be running out of ideas to keep your kiddos busy and engaged, which BTW is always ok - because children do their best work when it is born out of a quest for SOMETHING TO DO!!

But still, it's already been a long spr-ummer already, right?!? So, kids being kids ... they (and you!)  are still looking for stuff to do :)

I've tried to group some old posts together to make it easier to do a week's worth of fun and interesting activities with, hopefully, the kiddos doing most of the "work"! 

Day 1: Click here for some tips on fun Outdoor Play - using what you have to build and play on an obstacle course will get your child's creative juices working and have them think about everyday objects in new ways ... and it's great exercise! They can redo it again and again, practicing good social skills (if they have a partner) and design skills. Of course, some supervision is needed to ensure safety :) Don't pass up everyday opportunities for sidewalk curb balancing and hill rolling :)

https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2016/07/summer-fun-moving-and-shaking-outdoors.html

Day 2: Let your kiddos experience Math concepts in a whole new way - Math with Water Play - great for a warm, dry day :) Let your kiddos collect an assortment of "tools" from around the house and see what happens. Maybe with a little starter exercise, they will take the play in new directions :)

https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2016/07/math-with-water.html

Day 3: A little reading goes a long way, depending on your book choice. Reading to cool off is great for any day - rain or shine! You can cozy up for some great illustrations, and fun, silly words, but be ready to have your kiddos act out the shakey-shakey part :) Acting out and retelling stories are a great tool for comprehension, so play away!

https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2015/07/books-to-love-wet-dog-by-elise-broach.html

Day 4: Mail Call! Use those rainy or too-hot days to craft some mail for relatives. Great way to reach out in these isolated times :) and children of all ages an abilities can participate! Younger friends can draw a picture and olders can write as best as they are able. These cards and letters are sure to be treasured and - maybe, just maybe, they'll write back!!

https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2014/07/mail-call.html

Day 5: Ocean Animals are always fun! Check out these simple craft ideas and great reading options - you can usually find titles on YouTube if you don't have access otherwise :) Pairing crafts with stories extends the literature and helps to solidify the story for young readers :)

https://makeearlylearningfun.blogspot.com/2011/05/ocean-animals.html

Have fun!! 

Small Steps Towards Equity and Inclusion

Teachers (and parents) can broaden children’s experiences through thoughtful, inclusive choices in both literature and in choosing topics for project-based learning. Seeing a range of people reflected in books, and opening up topics that are inclusive, where everyone can contribute and feel connected, are just two ways to honor and celebrate the differences among us.

All children need and deserve to see themselves in books - to feel a part of the world represented in literature, through illustrations and photos. If they do not, they won’t necessarily feel the connection to literature as a whole and to specific stories that may reflect or expand their experience of the world. Children should also be looking at illustrations and reading stories that broaden their view of different cultures ... there is a wealth of great books out there to choose from.

It’s easy to find book lists that are inclusive and expansive, depicting children of all races, cultures, ethnicities, etc. Books that also show characters with disabilities, varied family structures, and in different living situations are so important, as they normalize things for children who may feel marginalized in some way.

In order to feel truly a part of play and learning situations, children must also be able to make connections to the materials featured in the classroom. Choosing topics for group activities that level the playing field opens the door for children with differing backgrounds and experiences to meet on common ground. Topics that are drawn from nature, for example, allow all children ... those who are learning a new language, those with special needs, those with fewer background experiences, even those with trauma in their past ... to join in and contribute.

Common subjects like leaves, snow, planting, motion ... the typical “science” explorations have shown to be great equalizers in our class. Using these types of topics to launch new vocabulary, build knowledge, and explore common questions, helps our students all get involved in the topics we explore. Using these projects to bring together all of our children has helped make our classroom a community, and give each child a voice. And, it has been a very happy voice!

Have fun - and promote equity!

Intentional Exploration: Step Away!

As children move from parallel play to mingling with others, so many changes take place. Child-directed play is so cool to watch, as the children work out roles, compromises, and plans ... and the language development, social skills, and organizational skills begin to show.

Step back and allow the children to develop ideas, formulate questions, and look for answers. It is hard for adults to let go, but so necessary :) You might help launch a project by supplying materials or by "recording" a plan that will help to organize a small group - but it's important to help and then step back out of the action, to watch and support only when needed.

Let the play be child-driven or child-directed, instead of just child-centered :) The adult role should be less of a teacher and more of a facilitator. In everyday play, this may look like observing a play situation and stepping in to encourage compromise or to help players find the right words to ask for what they need or want. Water play took on a new direction here when students wanted to make the balls move by blowing through straws.

In a larger play scenario, as in a whole class study or investigation on a broad theme, a question may come up that spurs investigation on the part of the children, and they may need guidance and organizational help. As they generate questions, an adult may take on the role of recorder, writing down questions and terms that need explaining, in order to build a web or list of "what we want to know."

The best, most interesting way for children to learn, is to dig in and really find answers for themselves. Touching, creating, experimenting ... little scientists can direct their own learning, with support. By working in the background to make sure that materials are available and time is set aside, teachers or parents can aid in setting the stage for great learning!

In the block play area pictured here, some children are making letters from blocks, some are fitting them together like a puzzle, and some are trying to create a balanced wall. Lots of different ideas being tested and played out.

There is nothing like watching one of those "lightbulb moments" occur, when a child gets something and is so excited to share about it!

As always, have fun!