When people think about crafting, they often picture glitter, glue, paint, and smiling children proudly holding up their finished projects. But crafting is about so much more than making something pretty. Every time a child creates, they are building skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.
Have you ever walked into a classroom and seen twenty snowmen that all look exactly the same? Or maybe you’ve watched a child proudly show you a painting full of colourful swirls and exciting shapes that doesn’t look like anything in particular—but they can tell you an amazing story about
When we think about problem-solving, we often picture math lessons, science experiments, or puzzles. But did you know that one of the best places children learn to solve problems is at the art table? Every time a child paints, builds, cuts, uses glue, sculpts, or creates, they make decisions, test
Have you ever watched someone become completely focused while painting, building, or creating? Time seems to slow down. Worries fade away. The only thing that matters is making something with your own hands. That is the magic of crafting and art. Many people think crafts are just fun activities to
What Is Play and Why Is It Important? “They’re just playing.” How many times have you heard someone say that? To many adults, play can look like a break from learning. But research tells us something very different. Play is one of the most powerful ways children learn and grow.
Are you a parent, caregiver, or educator working with young children? If yes, there are many simple ways you can help children support your child’s literacy development—long before they start school. Literacy begins at birth. Babies and young children learn about language through everyday experiences. At home, literacy grows when
Scientists have spent years trying to understand how children learn to read. Researchers at Harvard University have even used MRI brain scans to watch how children’s brains change over time. What they discovered is both fascinating and encouraging. The systems the brain uses for reading do not suddenly switch on
You may have heard the term science of reading. It sounds complicated. However, the idea is simple. The science of reading refers to decades of research that explain how children learn to read — and what teaching practices work best. So what does this actually look like in a classroom?
I need to confess. I still have boxes of leveled books in my home office. Early in my teaching career, I relied on them to support beginning readers. However, over the last ten years, I have committed myself to learning more about how children learn to read. As a result,
Early reading struggles are common — and often misunderstood. The Science of Reading helps both parents and teachers understand why these challenges occur and how to respond effectively. 1. Reading Is Slow and Challenging Children may sound out every word and become tired or frustrated when reading. What research tells
I share teaching tips, strategies, lesson experiences and classroom snapshots to support your 3 to 6 year old learners.