Category: Early Learning
Articles on early childhood education
Change Doesn’t Have to Be Scary! How to Help Children With Transitions
It’s been a long day and you’re finally settled on the couch to watch the season finale of your favorite television series. The dramatic conclusion is moments away when, without warning, someone changes the channel to check a sports score. Frustrating, right? Well, that’s how a young child feels when she’s building the world’s tallest tower and you say, “Put...
Values need to be lived out loud
Children pick up on an awful lot without us saying it – they learn to talk, walk and jump without specific lessons, and they’ll pick up on lots of ‘the way we do things at our centre/in our family’ unconsciously. But for some things, especially in the area of values, virtues, and character development, it’s necessary for us to live them...
I Hate You! Not Really…
On Mother’s Day, my five-year-old son created an original paper and crayon card with bold capital letters that declared, “Your the best mom.” There were yellow daffodils because that’s my favorite flower. And there was no attempt to make “your” into “you’re” – which is okay when you’re five. I got teary-eyed, he smiled proudly, and I knew I was,...
The problem with Screen Time
Now, let’s talk about screen time. A contentious issue for many parents and educators, especially with regards to children under 5. In many centres, children ask to see their ‘Storypark’ photos and videos every day and become documenters of their own learning by taking photos and videos, as well as recording their own voice and reflection in the comments area....
Why children need stress – video
There are two common games that children love to play, and that teach them absolutely essential life skills. What are they? And why are they important? Kathryn from Engage Training explains why children need stress. Want to hear more from Kathryn? Check out her other videos here Articles she’s written here Her radio interview here About Kathryn: Kathryn has her...
Are we protecting or exposing children?
All children have the right to experience quality care and learning opportunities in an environment that provides for their well-being, health and safety, let’s explore what that really means… So we know that a strong sense of health and wellbeing is supported by good nutrition, an active lifestyle & provides children with the confidence, energy and optimism required for them...
Finding Common Ground
Finding Common Ground with Families from Different Religious Backgrounds Human beings are more alike than we are different, right? We all need food, rest, love, and laughter, as every early childhood teacher knows well. The good news, when considering how to cater for families from different religious backgrounds, is that the same principle applies. To a very large extent, all...
Tips for engaging with children’s learning from Dan Donahoo
Dan Donahoo gave us 5 tips for parents for engaging in children’s learning. Watch them here, and add your thoughts in the comments! Read more from Dan here: “Using the right avenue to engage with vulnerable families”
Nature and the Reggio Emilia approach – Dr Anne Meade
Today our guest blog post is from Dr Anne Meade, who is one of Storypark’s advisors and an inspiration to educators across New Zealand and beyond. I grew up in the Wairarapa. My parents and extended family on both sides were farmers and, therefore agricultural researchers. I still have my grandfather’s daily diaries that are filled with weather and soil...
So they like to put on dresses
The Storypark blog shares diverse opinions from educators and parents all over the world. Today our guest blog post is from the author of ‘Uplifting Early Childhood‘. What are your thoughts? Share them below in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! At one point or another, we’ve all been there, or most of us have. Either as teachers or...