Author Archives: D.C. Enthusiast
Purposeful Mess
“So, how do you feel about mess?” It’s a question I pose during my workshops on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for early childhood educators. I love it because you get an immediate visual reaction from everyone. Some of … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education
Tagged conferences, educators, Mess, planning, science, STEM, teachable moments, workshops
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Creating Wild Places
Baby slides, push toys, ride along cars. In our town, when they are outgrown and unwanted they find there way to this one park. Since they don’t “belong” to anyone, no one is worried about keeping them “nice.” That means … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education
Tagged create, explore, nature, outdoors, play, playground
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Museums and Schools: Common Ground
I led a workshop last weekend called “Everyday Museums: Re-imagining Classroom and Community Spaces.” It is a fancy title, but basically what I try to do is get early childhood educators to think of their classrooms as museums. This isn’t … Continue reading
Who Is On Your Exhibit Team?
I recently asked a group of Museum Studies grad students a deceptively tricky question. “What is your #1 priority for an exhibit?” Not a whole museum, just a single exhibit. It could be big (connected ideas) or specific (enough benches)but … Continue reading
Posted in Museum Education
Tagged collaboration, exhibit design, graduate studies, planning, teachable moments, workshops
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STEM in Early Childhood- Professions
One of my most popular workshops recently is one simply titled “STEM in Early Childhood Education.” STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a hot buzzword right now, and educators are pressured to show how they are teaching it and … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education, Museum Fun at Home, Uncategorized
Tagged conferences, educators, outdoor, planning, science, STEM, teachable moments, training, workshops
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Aquarium Visit Reboot
The last time we visited the National Aquarium, my son (3yrs old) treated it like a race he had to complete. I don’t know if it was the fact there was a “path” to follow, the crowds or what but … Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Kids in Museums
Tagged aquarium, homemade, museums with kids, planning, reward chart, science, STEM
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Just Not Her Thing?
When my son was little, it became obvious very quickly that books were one of his favorite things. As soon as he could sit and coordinate his hands he would flip through pages on his own, and he would bring … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education
Tagged books, children's books, infant, Parents, quiet activities, reading, teachable moments
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STEAM in Action
“Mama look!” My son called to my excitedly “I built a truck with stabilizers!” Sure enough, out of his magnet blocks he had constructed a perfect replica of a truck he had seen on a favorite TV show. “Those help … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education, Museum Fun at Home, Uncategorized
Tagged blocks, everyday, science, sculpture, STEAM, STEM, teachable moments
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But When Will They WRITE?!?
The picture is a little blurry, but let me see if I can “set the scene” for you. In the bath the other night my 3.5 year old was playing with a squirt bottle. “LOOK Mama!” He shouted excitedly “I … Continue reading
Posted in Early Childhood Education, Uncategorized
Tagged books, everyday, litearcy, preschool, reading, teachable moments, toddler, writing
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