Play allows children to experience joy in the moment of learning. Parrott and Cohen (2020) highlight the benefit of unstructured play to children's overall learning in their case study. Outdoor play typically has no restrictions or end goal in mind. The possibilities of outdoor learning experiences are endless for children as they experiment with…

There is a prevailing myth that young children do not notice race (Doucet & Adair, 2013; Hirschfeld, 2012). While, in fact, infants as early as three months old notice race (Bar-Haim et al., 2006; Kelly et al., 2005). If numerous early childhood educators find discussing race and ethnicity inappropriate for young children, children could be…

Writing is an important part of learning across all content areas of school (Graham & Harris, 2011). Even very young children experience the symbols of written language all around them. Soon they begin to notice that written symbols stand for people, ideas, things, or events, and attempt their own marks (Aram & Levin, 2011). However,…

What is realia and theory-building? Tim Kinard and Jesse Gainer explain that when students explore using "realia," they are not just being exposed to abstract concepts or text on a page, they are using "real-life" objects to build understandings of the natural world while they builds vocabulary about it. Handling and discussing…

Despite convincing research and strong public support, education budget cuts have forced schools and districts to limit or even eliminate arts instruction. Author Robin Ward argues that educators need to address the critical need to preserve and, in those cases, re-integrate the arts back into the school curriculum--mostly because the arts are…

Discusses the many uses of rebuses in the preschool environment. Describes how the use of rebuses streamlines routine activities and enables many different activities to be offered without chaos in a busy environment. Teacher-planned activities become child directed, the children get reading and writing practice, and independence and appropriate…

Discusses four similarities between early childhood education systems in Oxfordshire, England and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Similarities between the two school systems include an integrated curriculum; (mixed) age grouping and school organization; the teacher's role; and the pedagogical underpinnings. (BB)

Examines how young children's everyday group experiences contain important opportunities for adults to model and teach skills and understandings that can lead to a more peaceful world. Presents specific ideas for creating a peaceful atmosphere in the classroom and embedding peace concepts into the early-childhood curriculum, including the use of a…