An infant and toddler curriculum – what does it look like?
The learning curriculum for infants and toddlers Documenting infants and toddlers learning If you work with infants and toddlers, the requirement to plan for and document a learning programme can seem a little bit out of reach. This means it can feel like you are spending large portions of your day helping children with meals, changing diapers/nappies, in the sleep...
Educators are researchers
Educators are researchers If I said to you “you are a researcher”, would you brush that off as being untrue? It’s true though, educators are researchers! Historically, an educator was the holder of all knowledge. And a student was the recipient of this knowledge. The child learnt by listening, reciting, copying, observing and remembering all of the knowledge and information...
Researching children’s interests
Researching children’s interests Researching children’s interests is part and parcel of our work as educators. But do we often rush to make assumptions about what they are truly interested in, without really digging below the surface? If we rush this process, we can make the mistake of veering off course with our programming, and miss the opportunity to deepen children’s...
When nature meets technology
When nature meets technology When nature meets technology, wonderful things can happen for your learning community. The New Canaan Nature Center Preschool is the oldest nature-based preschool in the United States. The children who attend the preschool are lucky to have access to 40 acres of gardens, forests, fields, ponds and streams. “Every day we see children grow their confidence,...
Why are so many centres shifting to Storypark?
In 2021 we’ve welcomed the largest volume of new customers we’ve ever seen who are already using an alternative family engagement platform and want to shift to Storypark. We work to make every customers’ set-up and ongoing Storypark journey exceptional, so ask why they’re shifting. Here’s why people have shifted to Storypark: Superior family and educator experience – beautifully designed...
Learning in Nature – 5 Tips to Get You Started
Learning in Nature For young children, learning in nature can take place without an extensive collection of specific outdoor equipment and resources. In order for children to play and learn through nature play, they just need space, time and adults who are able to support them to take risks. When children have the opportunity to explore nature, they are able...
Daily Routines Updates
Daily Routines Updates The daily routines feature on Storypark has been an invaluable tool to educators in all corners of the world. We have been overwhelmed by the love and positive feedback you’ve shown for it. It not only makes sharing important information with parents easier, but it also saves you paper, and most importantly, TIME! To highlight how popular...
Communication With Families During COVID-19
Communication With Families During COVID-19 Communication with families during COVID-19 restrictions is challenging to say the least! Preparing for and teaching through restrictions is something that educators all across the world are experiencing. An essential part of the work that you do is having open and trusting relationships with a child’s parents, but when there are barriers to communication (such...
Shifting to Storypark
Moving to Storypark was something that had been on our minds for a wee while, years really! Within the realm of early childhood, many other kaiako and whānau are using Storypark with rave reviews. A quick search through any early childhood facebook forum will tell you it is super popular. Our team always wondered what they were missing out on,...
Sharing children’s care routines with family
The importance of sharing children’s care routines Let’s talk about children’s care routines. A key component of working effectively with children and their families is the exchange of information and communication which is essential for you to truly work in partnership together. Over time you have no doubt found strategies and ways to share with each other by: Sharing learning...