Nadirchat

Teachers often ask for ways to document children's experiences, a method that isn't too complicated and doesn't take days to produce. Is there a right way to get the work done? The truth is there is no right way or wrong way and each teacher must find her own process. However I can offer these two handy words;  describe and interpret. Begin by describing what is happening in the experience using both words, pictures and video. Consider these terms; explain, illustrate, portray, depict and tell. Next consider what the child may have been thinking during the experience. With older children this is sometimes evident in conversation. With younger ones you may be making some assumptions. Once you have done this, take the information and attach it to a learning objective, or developmental milestone. Remember that posting documentation validates the children's contribution to the classroom. It lends a voice to their shared experiences and life at school. Even if you can't ...

It's a beautiful sunny day. The classroom is infused with splashes of light. It seems to follow the children about the classroom casting shadows, catching colors, playfully inviting them to discover new things-perhaps a rainbow machine.

You hear but do you listen? Herein lies the key to meaningful relationships, sharing extraordinary experiences, and making meaning of everyday living with children and colleagues. The ability to transcribe and translate what we observe children doing and thinking comes from our ability to listen. To see beyond the obvious is directly linked to the art of listening. How can a teacher, whose day is filled with "busyness" master this skill? Relationships are the key to a meaningful experiences and they are based on the ability to engage in the art of listening, respecting and caring for another. Here are a few tips. Take a moment before the children arrive and be thankful for the gift of teaching, gratitude motivates. Observe your environment and make any necessary modifications to accommodate the needs of the classroom-remember it is a living space that will foster or disrupt relationships. Greet the children when they arrive and depart; acknowledging someones presence validate...

Grazing I heard the strangest comment the other day from a student teacher who came for a tour of our centre. She'd recently attended a workshop and was told that children should be free to graze all day. What could that possibly mean I wondered? Are they cattle? She went on to tell me that grazing basically meant they should be able to do whatever they wanted, to be uninterrupted in their play. That made sense because we advocate for uninterrupted experiences. She then went on to tell me that it also meant that they could eat lunch standing up as they continued to work uninterrupted. Then I thought that just makes no sense at all. What sort of life lessons are we imparting to children when we set  no boundaries or guidelines for some sort of order in their day. Meal time is not only about nourishing our bodies it is also about nourishing our souls. It is a time to gather with family and peers to shares our stories. There is a time for everything in life, a time to play, a time to ...

Is the ability to draw, paint and sculpt innate or learned? That's the question we are continually asking ourselves as we see exceptional pieces of work coming from the children. How do they go from scribbling to pieces of work like the one in this post? We have witnessed children with parents or grandparents who are artists draw well beyond what is expected of their age.  Is it then assumed that the talent is inherited? On the other hand, we have witnessed children with no artistic talent in the family produce equally exceptional work. There are those who say anyone can be an artist, they simply need passion. Perhaps with instruction, practice and perseverance this might be true. There is no doubt that some people are born with a natural inclination toward artistry. However no one is born knowing how to paint or sculpt without instruction. Just as a pianist is not born knowing how to play the piano. It is from this perspective that we changed our thinking many years ago and moved ...