Childspace

Why is it that we so love to frighten parents? We tell parents of infants that they’re going to damage their children for life. We tell parents of preschoolers that their children have to learn x or y to be ready for school. We tell parents of school age children that they should be terrified of the teen years. We give disapproving looks. We insist on “facts” about child development and psychology that are not backed up by the research. We try to get people to do what we think is best by telling them that their kids are going to be ruined if they don’t do what we say. Visible Child is issuing a protest.

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Sharing is not caring. Can we please stop saying this to children?

Need more info on this topic? I highly recommend "It's Okay Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids by Heather Shumaker

After the long weekend, our friends returned and were so engaged and busy with their ideas.

I’m so honored to be able to observe their creations, thoughts, ideas brought to reality.

Whether it be with markers, paint, playdough, blocks, or through dramatic play, their ideas just expand and become bigger than I ever expected.

Hot spots in the yard today?
• Potions
• Glue board
• Stickers + markers

And so much more I did not catch with my camera.

LET THEM PLAY!

Our last few weeks have been so lovely… new additions to our outdoor space and awesome weather have opened up so many new play ideas and deeper exploration and engagement.

Mark making >> I’m noticing the group’s art has begun to enter new stages. The potato people have arrived! And everyone is noticing the letters for their name and their friends’ names.

Cooperative play >> Feeding the cows has been an ongoing project. What do cows eat? Who cares for the baby cows when the mommy cow has to go to Costco? (For real, this has come up!)

Community >> This group of children show me everyday how loving and caring they are with each other. And seeing them love on the cats has been such a beautiful thing.

Early numeracy >> One child’s noticing of numbers has led to discussions and experiments with counting out objects, talking about more/less, biggest/littlest, and even patterning.

Extra bonus content if you’ve made it this far >>
“Michelle! My heart is pouncing so hard! Want to feel?”-L, after running super fast. 😍

“These are my shoulder pants. I’ve never had shoulder pants, have you?” -C, telling me about their new overalls.

“Do you like our makeup?” - L, L, and M, showing off their sidewalk chalk bronzer. 😂

Play is not separate from learning.
It is learning.

Happy Monday!

Breakfast this morning brought all the smiles. Greek yogurt + fruit popsicles, strawberries, date + cashew “brownie bites”, Kix, and milk.

Who doesn’t want brownies + popsicles for breakfast?

I am so excited to see how the extra protein intake impacts their morning moods.

A new activity that is drawing some interest…RESCUE the NARWHAL!