I love this photo of one the marvellous educators I had the privilege to work with. The larger photo shows her surrounded by a mob of children in and around a plastic sandpit which they have transformed into a pirate ship. As you can see she happily loses herself in the play with the children. […]
Are 3 year olds too young to vote?
Yesterday I posted the wonderful Hundred Languages of Children and today I would like to share a very small portion of a learning journey story involving a group of 3 year olds and a strawberry that I hope will help to illuminate what I love about an Emergent Curriculum approach to early learning. The children […]
Understanding Emergent Curriculum: An Image of the Child
Learn what defines an emergent curriculum philosophy of early learning. From 2003-2007, I was the start-up Director of a child care centre for 2-5 year olds. The centre community adopted a philosophy of early education based on our research and understanding of an Emergent Curriculum. Over the next week or so I will provide an […]
‘Reading’ with Toddlers
We are reading…catalogues…junk mail… and magazines! Immy loves books. She will sit and peruse their pages all by herself. She will accost visitors with her current favourite read and a sweet smile so that they will read to her (not once but at least five times!) She will not miss her books in Mum and […]
Buttons, Zips and Press Studs: Learning to Dress Themselves Activity Cushion
Immy has an obsession with buckles, buttons and zippers. Whenever she sees a fastening on a bag or item of clothing she zones in and it keeps her fascinated for ages. I know that you can buy toys for children that help them to learn to do up and undo fastenings but I decided to […]
Understanding Emergent Curriculum: A Child Sized View of the World
Surely part of being the best parent or teacher you can be entails seeing the world from the child’s perspective? I admit I am jealous of my toddler’s ability to see and find joy in the infinite possibilities her world presents each day. She is not distracted by all that must be achieved in the […]