Check These Out!

For those who don’t know, I do have a Youtube Channel where I create and post short animated videos on various Early Childhood topics. My goal is for my videos to be short, educational and easy to understand. It was hard for me to find visuals or videos for projects that were short yet informative, so I decided to create a channel that would have these videos. Check them out and remember to subscribe and like my videos :)

Youtube Channel: iCan EarlyChildhood

Focusing on Family Strengths: CLICK HERE!

What are Teachable Moments?: CLICK HERE!

Challenging Gender Stereotyped Toys: CLICK HERE!

25 Words that Toddlers Should Know: CLICK HERE!

Benefits of Playing with Playdough: CLICK HERE!

Introduction to the “Hundred Languages of Children”: CLICK HERE!

5 Reasons why Physical Activity is Important for Children: CLICK HERE!

***Subscribe to my channel as I will be posting new videos soon!***

Remembrance Day

November 11, 2016 [Remembrance Day in Canada]

Sometimes it can be hard to teach or incorporate Remembrance Day into the classroom. Remembrance Day is a memorial day to remember members of armed forces who have passed away while serving and protecting their country. It marks the end of hostilities during the First World War and an opportunity to recall all those who have served in the nation's defence (Remembrance Day Info).

Here are a few activities and learning opportunities to incorporate Remembrance Day into the classroom:

Poems/Songs:

Poppy

Poppy we are but children small.

We are too little to do it all.

Children you may do your part.

Love each other is how you start.

Play without fighting.

Share your games and toys. 

Be kind and thoughtful,

To all girls and boys.

Little Poppy

Little poppy given to me.

Help me keep Canada 

Safe and free.

I'll wear a little poppy 

As red as red can be.

To show that I remember
Those who fought for me.

Remembrance Day

We wear a poppy

On Remembrance Day

And at eleven

We stand and pray

Wreaths are put

Upon a grave

As we remember

Our soldiers brave.

Crafts:

For more activity ideas:

-Remembrance Day Worksheets (CLICK HERE)

-Remembrance Day Printables (CLICK HERE)

-Poppy Crafts (CLICK HERE)

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row in row,

That mark our place...

A Letter from Play to Parents.

Happy Sunday!

While looking through my resource book, I came across one of my favourite resource for explaining the importance of play to parents. A friend had emailed this to me a while back and I have kept it as a very simple yet powerful tool in my resource book. It is a letter that is written from "play" explaining the benefits of play and why children need it. Sometimes we come across parents who don't quite understand the benefits and importance of play for children's growth and development. This letter is great to put in the classroom as a reminder or it can be sent home with parents as a useful tool to explain why play is needed for their child. It can also be given to a parent who may not quite understand why play is crucial.

“Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities”

-Stuart Brown

November Already?!

November is here!

I can't believe it is November already. Where did the time go? Here is to many great laughs, new learning opportunities and new milestones. Let's make this month a great one! :)

I am posting a quote today that is a key component of my teaching practice. It was introduced to me by a professor when I was in college for my ECE diploma. Often we focus too much on making sure the child is able to do something perfectly that we forget each child learns at their own pace and in their own way. As teachers, if we consistently keep using one method to teach something to the child and he/she does not understand or learn, then it is us who are the slow learners, not the child. We should be able to find new ways and techniques in order to teach children. If one technique or experience does not work, then we should try another one that builds on the child's strengths yet fulfilling their needs and wants. For example, if you are teaching counting and he does not understand, why not incorporate his interests and needs along with the experience? Your observation indicates that the child likes playing with blocks then why not incorporate different colours and sizes of blocks to teach counting.

Happy Halloween!

TODAY IS HALLOWEEN!

I hope everyone is have a great day. One of the things I love most about Halloween is seeing all the costumes. I hope your classrooms are filled with spooky decorations and fun activities. Along with this celebration today, it is important to remember that Halloween should be seen as a voluntary celebration in respect to each families' values and beliefs. It is not an opportunity for exclusion. Even if Halloween is being celebrated within the classroom, core values such as fun and inclusion are fostered throughout the learning experiences. These celebrations and holidays are a great way to raise awareness for diversity and cultural appreciation. Therefore, respect and understanding should be shown to those who do participate and those who chose not to.

Please be safe and have a great Halloween :)

Halloween Books (for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Kinders)

Just like many other holidays and celebrations, stories and books are great tools to use in order to incorporate them into the classroom. Below I have listed book titles that I feel that are fun to read to children. Since I can't paste each page of the books here, I found Youtube videos of these books being read. I think that is a great way to visually see and actually hear the book before going on a hunt to find them or purchasing them in time.

Books for Toddlers:

Youtube video on this book: Where is Baby's Pumpkin?

Youtube video on this book: Creepy Carrots

Youtube video on this book: Click Clack Boo!

Books for Preschoolers:

Youtube video on this book: Where's my Mummy?

Youtube video on this book: *Could not find a video on this book*

Youtube video on this book: *Could not find a video on this book*

Books for Kindergarten:

Youtube video on this book: My Monster Mama Loves Me So

Youtube video on this book: Splat the Cat, What was That?

Youtube video on this book: Room on the Broom

I hope these book titles and videos are helpful. There are times where I hear about great books and sometimes would like to read or see the book before trying to get it (saves time and energy!).

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go”

-Dr. Seuss

Halloween Classroom Decorations

Halloween is just a few days away..here are some "Halloween decorations" that you can put in the classroom to get into that festive mood! They are easy to make and easy on your wallet.

1) Jack o'latern Balloons

What you will need:
-orange balloons
-black marker

2) Tissue Paper Ghosts

What you will need:
-white tissue paper
-black marker
-string

3) Paper Cup Spiders

What you will need:
-paper cups
-paint
-pipe cleaners

4) Halloween Garlands

What you will need:
-cutouts of pumpkin, bats, ghosts, etc
-string

5) Door Decorations

-This is a very fun and creative process. There are no right or wrong ideas as you can decorate the classroom doors with whatever you have in mind...here are a few examples:

Hope everyone has an amazing and safe Halloween.

Feel free to share your ideas in the comments below :)

Fall Activities for Infants and Toddlers

Here are a few ideas for some fall activities:

1) Nature Walk

Point out different colours and items throughout the walk. Stop at various points so the children have an opportunity to look around and listen to what the educators are saying. Also, to engage children in the experience, they can collect/hold some items throughout the walk such as acorns or leaves.

2) Sensory Bins

Children love playing in sensory bins! Some items to put into a "fall" inspired sensory bin are:
-leaves (real or fake)
-acorns
-coloured pasta or rice
-fake apples, corn, squash or pumpkins
-Indian corn
-pieces of hay
-blocks, measuring cups or spoons, small bowls, cups
-materials that are associated with the theme of the week such as farm animals, trucks, cars, etc.

3) Painting with Pumpkins

This activity can be implemented using real pumpkins and paint or a outline of a pumpkin on paper along with red, orange, yellow or brown paint.

4) Stickers on Pumpkins

I have tried this experience and infants/toddlers LOVE it. Place pumpkins with several different stickers and have children decorate the pumpkin using the stickers (with assistance if needed).

5) Discovery Bottles and Shakers

This age group loves experiences that involves music and noise. The items outlined under the sensory bin can also be used for this experience. Here are a few more ideas:
-corn kernals
-beans
-pom poms
-pumpkin seeds
-water, gel, oil
-buttons
-glitter
-sticks

6) Painting with/on Leaves
This activity can be conducted either by having the children paint WITH different leaves like a paintbrush or actually painting ON the leaves.

7) Sensory Bags

These are my all time fav! Sensory bags are so versatile and is a great way to be creative and provide a great learning experience for children. Items mentioned earlier can all be used to create these bags. Just keep in mind to secure the bags so they do not leak. Heavy duty tape is always a great idea :)

Remember, these are just some ideas. You can change up, add or remove whatever you would like. Have fun and BE CREATIVE! :)

“Free the child’s potential, and you transform him into the world”

-Maria Montessori

Fall Books

Hope everyone is having a great week :). 

Below I have listed some awesome children's books about AUTUMN! Books are a great way to introduce topics such as seasons into the classroom. They can also be used as transitions from one experience to the next such as reading a book about leaves changing colours during circle time to an art experience revolving around the main components of the book.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro

Too Many Pumpkins by Megan Lloyd

Let It Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

I Love Fall! by Alison Inches

We're Going On A Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall

Apples by Jacqueline Farmer

I Know It's Autumn by Eileen Spinelli

If you have any more suggestions for great books for autumn, comment below!

"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination and instill a love of learning"

-Brad Henry

Fall Inspired Playdough

The weather is getting colder and summer has officially left us. What’s a better way to introduce fall to the classroom than a playdough activity?! Playdough is very versatile and the possibilities are endless. You can use the same playdough recipe that I have posted before...here is a little refresher:

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

1/4 cup "cream of tar tar"

2 cups water

Drops of any food colouring

Method:

Mix all the ingredients together and place them in a non-stick sauce pan on medium heat. Take it off the stove once a ball forms. Place the playdough on a counter and knead until it is smooth.

How can you add a "fall" twist? Here are a few ideas:

To incorporate fall into the playdough experience, try to colour your playdough with "fall" colours such as brown, yellow, deep red, orange or even olive green. Another way to add a “fall touch” to playdough is by adding spices such as cloves, ginger, cinnamon or nutmeg. Remember to add just a little at a time, about a teaspoon or so (depending on how strong you want the scent to be). And THAT’S IT!

I will be posting more about autumn activities and experiences as we get closer to Halloween. Keep an eye out :) 

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant”.

25 Words that Toddlers Should Know

Researchers from the Child Study Institute at Bryn Mawr College have identified 25 words that they believe are considered the bare minimum for all toddlers.

Dr. Leslie Rescorla created the list and believes that the words outlined are the building blocks of vocabulary for toddlers.

Here are the words:

1. Daddy

2. Baby

3. Hat

4. All Gone

5. Cat

6. Thank you

7. Nose

8. Yes

9. Hot

10. Ball

11. Dog

12. Juice

13. Mommy

14. Bath

15. Eye

16. Banana

17. Milk

18. Shoe

19. More

20. No

21. Car

22. Bye 

23. Book

24. Hello/Hi

25. Cookie

What happens if there are some toddlers who don't say all the words?!

Dr. Leslie explains that if  some toddlers don't say all the words, it doesn't necessarily mean you should worry. Some children have delayed speech and catch up by age 4 to 5.

ALWAYS SEEK ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FROM A PROFESSIONAL BEFORE MAKING ANY ASSUMPTIONS!

Need a visual about this topic? Check out my Youtube video HERE!

"Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times"

BEST PLAYDOUGH RECIPE!

Here is my "go to" recipe for homemade playdough.

You will need:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
¼ cup “cream of tar tar”
2 tablespoons oil
2 cups water
Drops of any food colouring

Mix all the ingredients together and place them in a non-stick sauce pan on medium heat. Take it off the stove once a ball forms. Place the play dough on a counter and knead until it is smooth.
...And that's it!

Give it a try. You will not be disappointed! :)

Want to know the benefits of playdough? Check them out on my blog or on my Youtube Channel (Benefits of Playdough)

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge"

-Albert Einstein 

Objective vs Subjective Writing in Observations

When writing observations, it is important to remain OBJECTIVE. 

Objective writing is when you document and write down only what you see and hear. There are no assumptions or judgements in objective writing as the observer should remain unbiased. When recording observations, it is important to pay attention in how you are describing what you observe. The key is to write down only what YOU SEE AND HEAR as it is happening.

When observing, don't forget to:
1) Add details

2) Describe behaviours, actions, vocalizations

3) Write down direct quotes

4) Describe facial expressions, gestures

5) Don’t use words like happy, great, good, hyper

Example of Objective Writing:

-Jason sat next to Tiffany and cried loudly.

-Jason wrapped his right arm around Sam and said “Do you want the blue car?”

Example of Subjective Writing:

-Jason didn’t feel like getting dressed by himself.

-Jason was acting up and was sad because he missed his mom.

Objective writing takes lots of practice so don’t worry if you make mistakes. Working in this field, it is easy to let your own ideas, biases and opinions (subjectivity) cloud the picture. Biases often leads to unfair treatment of children and/or families.

Want some practice?
Check out Practice Online: Objective vs Subjective Writing. 

"Stand aside for a while and leave room for learning, observe carefully what children do and then, if you understood well, teaching will be different from before"

-Loris Malaguzzi