Author Archives: D.C. Enthusiast
Where Do Your Books Live?
If you work with young children, take a moment and think about your space. Where are the books? Are they in a cozy reading corner? Think about when books make an appearance in your day. Is it just when you … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education, Uncategorized
Tagged books, Classroom, learning through play, Literacy, play, reading
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Are You Doing It Wrong?
(Photos show a collage of pictures I took over the weekend at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Industry) Would you like to know a secret? Unless you are damaging the collections, or interfering with other … Continue reading
Posted in Kids in Museums, Museum Education
Tagged art, engaging, exhibit, museums with kids, no wrong way
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Learning Letters Looks Like This
Learning your letters doesn’t mean sitting down and writing a B over and over and over Learning letters means building a B out of blocks and driving your car over it Learning letters means rolling them out in playdough Learning … Continue reading
Technology and Early Learning
The “tech world” moves fast and there is increasing pressure for early childhood education and museums to incorporate the latest technology. Educators are interested in the possibilities, concerned about the implications and want to know what the “right” way to … Continue reading
Surviving a Blockbuster Exhibit
If you are in DC right now, the hot ticket to get is the Hirshhorn’s “Infinity Mirrors.” Just go on your favorite social media site and look for #infinitekusama, you’ll see what I mean. This is just one example of … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education, Kids in Museums
Tagged blockbuster, exhibit, museums with kids, planning, preschool, teachable moments, toddler
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Educating an Advocate
I never aspired to become an advocate. I didn’t know enough about the issues, I couldn’t balance that with my work and family life. I promised myself that I would focus on raising good kids, being a high quality educator … Continue reading
The Spooky House
This is the “Spooky House.” No, that is not its official title (embarrassingly I can’t find the notes where I wrote down its actual name) but it is what these two 4 year olds called the work. They spent ten … Continue reading
Sandbox Heretic
Last week I reflected on “rule breaking” in early childhood. To prove I’m not all talk I wanted to share this story… “Keep the sand in the sandbox!” An adult voice called out. It was the rule, it had been … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education, Museum Education
Tagged creativity, everyday, preschool, rules, sand, teamwork, tough topics
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Rules are Rules
The hole was big, to kid eyes it was a crowning achievement. As we put the finishing touches on it a lifeguard walked by “You’ll have to fill that in” he said “it’s not allowed.” Slowly we started dumping sand … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education, Kids in Museums
Tagged messy play, nature, outdoor, preschool, rules, training
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