We all need our environment to support us. From the air we breathe to how much light we need to complete a task- we are innately intertwined and reliant on our environments. The same goes for our children. Behaviors, relationships, power struggles…. all of those growing pieces are enhanced and changed by environment before anything … Continue reading How important is the environment?
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Cave Paintings and Skipping Naps.
Both as ancient as time itself. As for skipping naps in toddler-hood, what a total nightmare that can become. As for cave painting, imagine the cozy warmth of a cave and the dim light of fire and all of our most innate creative abilities stirring in the powerful space of boredom and exhaustion. What do … Continue reading Cave Paintings and Skipping Naps.
Blocks, Rocks, Cardboard, Dirt, and the Human Mind.
Art is the academia of early childhood. I don’t mean just finger painting or doing a step by step craft- I mean c r e a t i n g. This is why in her book ‘The Design of Childhood,’ Alexandra Lange mentions some of the most beloved childhood tools- the tools that transcend time, … Continue reading Blocks, Rocks, Cardboard, Dirt, and the Human Mind.
Emotions
Working with children has taught me so many things. One of the most sacred is that to be human means we can be both deeply joyful and deeply sad, but we cannot be both happy and sad. Happy is an isolated feeling. The deeper emotions seem to actually work together harmoniously in growing our consciousness … Continue reading Emotions
Snow Canvas
and water color.
Sticky Wall Art!
Here is a little wall art inspo! Just painters tape and stars! You can use anything. Pictures of animals, letters, numbers, shapes, family photos, balls of tin foil, poms, it goes on and on! The lifting, moving and creating is joy-filled and it builds all of those writings muscles and fine motor skills. Have fun! … Continue reading Sticky Wall Art!
The Importance of a Changing Environment
A changing environment is an alive environment. If you’ve had the same environment for your child/students for over three months.... you’ve probably noticed that a lot of tools get forgotten about, it seems like they can’t see everything that is available, and they get bored easily, and frustrated frequently. This is just the nature of a static environment.
My Favorite Canvas.
Saran Wrap around the kitchen table!
Ms. Lisa’s Little Deliveries
Lisa Ortiz is a youth director in Seal Beach, CA. She is imaginative, insightful, supportive, and comes up with the sweetest ideas. She has been delivering special packages throughout the pandemic. The other night Ms. Lisa shared with me the gift package she was dropping off for her students, and it was the neatest little … Continue reading Ms. Lisa’s Little Deliveries
Learning from Dirt and Dishes: A way of moving.
As parents and teachers walk into the unknowns of our upcoming school year, there are a couple things I want to remind myself and the world of. First, take your time. By this I mean a few different things. Take time to adjust. Take time for yourself. And take your time moving through what might … Continue reading Learning from Dirt and Dishes: A way of moving.
April A. Reeves 