Emergent Curriculum

Revisiting the Hundred Languages of Children

January 28, 2012

I first posted The 100 Languages of Children as part of my emergent curriculum series in August 2009. In the context of early education, I believe it is a powerful poem.  I was recently reminded of it’s awesomeness via this visual representation, The Hundred Languages Illuminated Poem by Sarah McRoberts (found via Facebook thanks to [...]

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Responding to Children’s Spontaneous Experimentation

September 16, 2011
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Recently we headed outdoors to do some gardening and while we were out in the garden Immy discovered that her plastic paddling pool had partly filled with rainwater. I was working close by (pulling weeds urg!) when she called to me, excitedly telling me how the pebbles she was throwing into the water were all [...]

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Early Learning: Following a Child’s Lead

May 28, 2011
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Immy wanted to make a city (like ‘Daddy’s city’ – where Dad 101 works) with a bridge. Will involve lots of active listening. Listen to their vision, their requests, their questions and their theories, The city needed buildings and elevators and a park with trees. And the city was good. Quite a bit of questioning [...]

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Everyday Learning at Home

March 17, 2011
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If you watch and listen carefully you will find lots of spontaneous opportunities for everyday learning all around your home. Like rainbows in the vegetable patch. Or delicious fresh corn that you grew yourself. Not to mention the plethora of creatures who reside there with you. And these everyday learning opportunities lead to lots of [...]

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How to Introduce New Props into Your Child’s Play

January 6, 2011
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In response to Monday’s Literacy Spot post, two readers asked me for suggestions of ways in which they could introduce a ‘prop’ (in this case, a street directory) into their child’s play.  I call it a prop as I have long seen the role of ‘prop manager’ as one essential role of the early childhood [...]

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Asking Questions Which Encourage Creative Thinking

August 11, 2010

Consider the learning potential of changing the way you ask your child questions… “Can you see the rainbow in the sky?” versus “I wonder how does the rainbow get into the sky?” “What is this part of the elephant called? (pointing to trunk)” versus “What would you do if you had a trunk?” “Can you [...]

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More than one way to play

July 12, 2010

I have posted recently about different types of play, including imaginative, physical, constructive and creative play. Today I want to talk about children who have a distinct preference for one type of play, and question – should we move them towards new discoveries in their play? For example, Immy has a preference for imaginative play. [...]

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Strewing

June 18, 2010

I have written recently about the importance of creating rich, inspiring play spaces for children and also about creating invitations to play. I have long believed the way we present toys and resources to children can capture their interest and set the stage for longer periods of more meaningful play, and therefore learning. I am [...]

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