We hope everyone had a restful vacation. It is hard to believe that we are beginning the final weeks of school and that planning for the Summer Program has already begun. Last year the children enjoyed their time outside with friends.
Woodside School
This is where we will chronicle our journey as we work collaboratively with families in order to prepare children for the larger world. Join us as we celebrate all that early childhood education offers through our observations and reflections. Be a witness to how families, children and teachers learn and grow together.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Play...The Work of Childhood
The following excerpt is from The Child Development Institute's website.
"Play Is The Work of the Child" Maria Montessori
According to Montessori, the essential dimensions of play are:
- Voluntary, enjoyable, purposeful and spontaneous
- Creativity expanded using problem solving skills, social skills, language skills and physical skills
- Helps expand on new ideas
- Helps the child to adapt socially
- Helps to thwart emotional problems
- Figure out how things work
- Pick up new ideas
- Build muscle control and strength
- Use their imagination
- Solve problems
- Learn to cooperate with others
It is interesting that the importance of play as a valuable learning tool for children is often debated and even dismissed.
This week a conversation between two students was observed by one of our teachers. The students were carefully watering the grass they had planted the day before.
First child says to second child "We don't have homework. We just play."
To this the second child replied "You're learning, but you are having so much fun that you don't know it!"
If only all adults could see things as simply as our children.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
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