Like many proud parents, I took a picture of my children every year on their first day of school (well, most days – I tried my best). When planning our son’s graduation party, I arranged the pictures in order; from the first day of preschool to his first day of his senior year. I noticed […]
The Tyranny of “Criss-Cross Applesauce”
Advocacy Challenging Behavior Classroom Environments Developmentally Appropriate Expectations Early Childhood Guidance Quality Care and Education
I noticed something interesting as I walked around my office the other day. Apparently, none of the adults with whom I work would define “comfortable” in the same way; as indicated by the postures they adopt while working. Some are on their feet with their computers elevated to accommodate their need to stand and move […]
Take Time for Beauty
Challenging Behavior Classroom Environments Early Childhood Quality Care and Education
On a recent Sunday morning, I sat, a bit groggy and grumpy, in an uncomfortable chair in the DFW airport, waiting for my highly-anticipated flight home. I was early and decided to take a walk to pass the time (and, to drive up that step count on my fitness tracker). Within a couple dozen steps, […]
August 1, 2018
Liberation of Mismatched Socks
Challenging Behavior Classroom Environments Developmentally Appropriate Expectations Early Childhood Education Guidance Quality Care and Education Teacher-Child Interactions Teaching
Recently, I gave up a bad habit; one that was draining my time and energy. I gave up the habit of insisting that my socks match. I have discovered the joy of wearing mismatched socks. It is so liberating to just grab two socks and walk out the door. And, don’t get me started on […]
I came to a pretty startling realization this past weekend – but, more on that later. I am enamored with the world of genetics and physics. I voraciously devour articles and podcasts that discuss these topics. I have often said that if I had my life to live over again, I would probably dedicate myself […]
July 2, 2018
There are two reason this quote by Frederick Douglass speaks to me so strongly. 1. It blows me away the insight that Frederick Douglass had about human development. He knew this even before we had machines that looked into the brains of young children and myriad studies into the importance of the first five years […]
June 15, 2018
Have you witnessed one of those cringe-worthy interactions in which someone is trying to get an idea across to someone else who does not speak the language? “Can you please tell me where this bus goes?” the lost tourist asks the local at the bus stop. When meet with a shrug and a bewildered look, […]
May 29, 2018
I don’t know about you – but, I spent much of my childhood years outside. My brother, my friends, and I passed hours running, screaming, climbing, and jumping in the backyards and sidewalks of Detroit. Fast forward to the realities of childhood for many children today. “Walking feet”. “Inside voices”. “You can throw outside”. These […]
We do not know the world we are educating our children for. When most of us were in Kindergarten, our teachers could not imagine that we would all walk around with machines in our pockets that contain more computing power than the machine that guided humanity to the moon and back. It has been said […]
April 22, 2018
I’m not a gardener by any means. I sometimes think I would like to be, but then it quickly becomes apparent that plants die from just being in my presence. I have come to terms with this flaw and I now look with admiration at gardens others have cultivated and buy my vegetables from people […]
April 8, 2018