Tag Archives: teachable moments

The Care and Keeping of Museum Professionals

The museum field is full of amazing, thoughtful, creative people. I’ve been working to bring their insights into a book. I jokingly call it “part self-help book, part group-memoir” because there are topics that can meet you where you are … Continue reading

Posted in Cabinet of Curiosities-Updates, Museum Education | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Purple Bucket

I’m working on some research on how trauma effects children. It is easy to get caught up in the “big” traumas. Abuse, neglect, separation from family. In our adult eyes those are the ones that matter, while things like a … Continue reading

Posted in Early Childhood Education | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

But We Can’t Read!

I had such a cool teaching moment today. I work with 3 and 4 year olds. All I want to do is make them love books and feel like reading is something that will open doors for them. If I … Continue reading

Posted in Early Childhood Education | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Cabinet of Curiosities-Updates, Early Childhood Education | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Preschoolers and “Weapon Play”

A block, a stick, a paintbrush…preschoolers are an inventive bunch and can turn almost anything into a weapon. “Look! Our firetruck has plenty of bombs on it!” “Bang! I shoot-ed you!” “Let’s get those bad guys!” I am a complete … Continue reading

Posted in Early Childhood Education | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Hands On” Art

The first child picked up the brush and dunked it in the paint. As the paint dripped off onto her hand she ran the brush back and forth spreading a thick coat all over her hand and arm. She was … Continue reading

Posted in Early Childhood Education, Museum Education | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Setting Expectations

  “Setting expectations” is part of classroom management 101. What they mean is, getting the kids comfortable with the routines and with how they are supposed to behave at various points in the day. What I think is often left … Continue reading

Posted in Early Childhood Education, Museum Education | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Gift of Time

Young children can do amazing things when they have the time. You’ll read article after article talking about how we over schedule our kids and we need to slow down and simplify. However, I think it goes even farther then … Continue reading

Posted in Early Childhood Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Little Pitchers Have Big Ears: Helping Children Deal with Tragedies

When there is a tragedy, those of us who have or work with young children have two simultaneous responses. We are personally reacting and grieving and we are also trying to plan for how to help the little people in … Continue reading

Posted in Early Childhood Education | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments