Play dough is a staple of early childhood play and learning.  In my 25 years in early childhood education it has certainly been a core part of the curriculum I’ve planned for children’s learning and development.  I really started to think about the value of play dough and the silent messages we give to children when we offer them play dough resources. In that example I gave above, the children were being told that play dough can be rolled and cut into certain shapes and certain letters. There wasn’t a full set of the alphabet, it was just the leftovers. What does our resourcing of children's play tell children about their play?

Some of the typical behaviours we observe in children are actually play schema! A child knocking over another child’s block tower, children hiding in cardboard boxes or the empty shelves of drawers, throwing toys across the room or dropping food from their high chair, lining up cars in a row or the infamous rock collecting that has peppered my career as an early childhood teacher! These are all examples of children’s development that are often misunderstood as destructive or “naughty”.  Behaviour is learning made visible just as it is communication of a need. 

One of the things that made me happy as a child was making my own doll's houses. You see I had this AWESOME mid-century modern dolls house that really was the bee's knees and I was so in love with it. But of course my parents decided I didn't need it any more and they gave it away and subsequently broke my heart. So I started making my own using cardboard boxes from around the house. This love of DIY doll's houses has remained and I still to this day make simple doll's houses for my classrooms and the children love them. I get pet food delivered each week, and I reuse the bubble wrap and the boxes. 

How to make your very own cardboard village using everyday objects at home.  So as many of you know, I'm an early childhood teacher working with pr...

Reflections on kindness as a teacher within "the system".

From early mark making with chunky crayons and finger painting to using play dough and clay to create figures or objects. Children's fine muscle strength and dexterity develop through creative and open ended play. They learn to tell visual stories using their hands and this then supports their language and literacy development not only through school, but life. 

What are we famous for at Sticks & Stones Education? I have a business mentor and one of the things she has been suggesting for years is that...

I have always loved quotes. When I was much younger and an avid reader .... or rather I had the time and space to be an avid reader. I would dive into the world of words and collect quotes that reminded me of characters I'd loved or wisdom that I felt would guide me in life. 

Three years ago in March 2018 I built a new website, and in March of 2021 I felt it was time for a change.   I have been meaning to update the webs...

Maria Montessori played an integral role in modern early childhood education

Redefining the gender norms of her time, Maria Montessori is an Italian physician, who was the first woman to graduate as a doctor in Italy. She faced significant scrutiny from her peers  where she was isolated in her practical classes. This resulted in her having to practice on cadavers after hours, as a woman being in presence of a naked male body was frowned upon. However, despite these challenges she graduated with honours in 1896. 

When children celebrate their first birthday, they are entering their second year of their life. They go from sitting independently to crawling to standing with support to walking, or toddling independently. So much physical change emerges during this milestone year, which in turn impacts their social, emotional and cognitive learning. They may become more independent and like to do things in their own way and their own time. They are driven to learn, and this drive only increases as they become older, heading towards their second birthday aka 'the terrible twos' (Hint: they're not terrible, they're just misunderstood and often misrepresented!). 

Sometimes being a smart ass leads to some wonderful curriculum moments ... This was one of those times.