Quality instruction isn’t the only factor that determines students’ academic achievement. Students’ sense of belonging to the school community is also significant to student achievement. A growing body of research shows the sense of belonging or “connectedness” […]
Category: Preschool
7 Amazing KidKraft Kitchen Playsets to Get Your Little Chef Cooking
Is there a little chef eagerly waiting for their turn to stir a pot each and every time you prep a meal? Well now, you can continue to feed their “inner” chef with a KidKraft Kitchen! […]
13 Questions to Consider When Choosing a High Quality Child Care Center
Selecting a quality child care center is difficult and requires a lot of research. With over thirty years working in the early childhood field, I know quality! Here, I’m going to outline some of the most […]
Fading or Thriving In Sport? The Mental Approach That Shapes Healthy & Happy Champions Of Tomorrow
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in visits to my office by parents with young athletes between 11–13 years of age. At first, this seemed like a positive movement, perhaps motivated by […]
Marbotic Smart Letters and Numbers Review: Tech Toys With A Soul (and Major Fun Factor!)
The Product Marbotic offers wooden letters and numbers that work with six apps (free with the purchase of the letter and number blocks), which together allow your child to practice number- and letter-recognition, addition, subtraction, tens […]
A Future Artist May Be in Your Preschool Classroom—Some Things to Consider When Setting Up Your Art Centre
The art area in a preschool child care center can be one of a child’s favorite spaces. Just imagine, mounds of crayons, boxes of colored pencils, markers in every color, plain paper, glue, plastic scissors, magazines […]
Exclusive Interview: Author Teresa Ann Power and The ABCs of Yoga For Kids Around the World
The following is an exclusive interview with Teresa Anne Power, internationally acclaimed children’s yoga expert and bestselling author, yogi, and advocate for the health benefits of yoga for children. Her first book, international hit The ABCs […]
Selecting a Communication System for your Non-Speaking Child
When my son, Isaac, who is diagnosed with autism, was three years old, he went to a therapeutic school which was focused on teaching sign language. He caught on pretty quickly and had about a half dozen […]
Why Early Childhood Educators Shouldn’t Avoid Leadership Roles
When I was in the fifth grade I became the student council president at my elementary school. I had my campaign speech, with various promises for improving our student council and bettering the lives of our student […]
7 Superb Shape Sorters to Engage Your Little One
We all remember our favorite childhood toy or toys. Perhaps it was a telephone with googling eyes, or a toy vacuum so you could “help” with chores. We never realized that many of the toys we played […]
The Benefits of Reading to Children—More Than Just Quality Time Together
“The more rich and multifaceted the learning experiences, the more neurons are fired. What fires together, wires together.” —Dr. Betty Rintoul (NC Infant Mental Health Association, Baby Steps, Fall Newsletter, 2013.) This is a great quote that […]
Preschool Learning Centres Provide a Basis for Lifelong Learning
According to research, learning centers in preschool provide the tools for learning all throughout life. The early childhood classroom (ages 2–5) is a huge factor in children’s development. Classrooms are usually set up so that children […]
The Many Career Changing Rewards of Blogging
In 2015 I was attending a training program called Women in Leadership. The series went over several days and before courses began one day, I was reading the agenda and noticed a session entitled, “Joys of […]
The Innovator’s Mindset—A Blockbuster Lesson from George Couros
Let me begin by making three confessions: 1. I think this is a very clever title … read on to find out why. 2. I thought this review would never be written; indeed, I’ve taken nearly […]
9 Solar System Projects for Astronomical Fun!
Shooting stars, colossal comets, and undiscovered UFOs—our universe is a mysterious place that inspires wonder in children and adults alike. Many children imagine futures as astronauts, traveling in a rocketship to explore the vast expanses of […]
Circuit Playground meets Scratch—Physical Computing for Kindergartners
While most of my posts are about children and how I educate them through STEM-related projects, this post is mostly technical. It is behind the scenes of my work with the kids and how I make […]
9 Rokenbok Toys for Super STEM Recreation
Rokenbok construction toy systems are an ideal way to introduce your child to STEM concepts and learning. Science, technology, engineering and math skills promoted by STEM toys are not only useful in school, they are important […]
9 Hot K’Nex Sets for Children of All Ages
Building toys have been a favorite for decades. The market has seen many different types of sets, materials and ideas but one that seems to have found its own little corner of the market is K’NEX. […]
7 Dinosaur Games for Passionate Young Paleontologists
Dinosaur games—there is nothing quite like the lure of Prehistoric creatures to get kids excited about science, and no better way to do it! From the roaring T-Rex to the soaring Pterodactyl, dinosaurs are the pet […]
7 Puzzle Mats for Kids’ Play Areas
A puzzle mat is a children’s play area accessory you will wonder how you ever lived without once you have one. These foam play areas provide hours of building and puzzle solving fun for young kids. […]