So, in this world of “shelter in place” and homeschooling, how can we provide children with this invaluable connection to the natural world?

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No matter how crazy times get; children need what children need. And, if we as the adults in their lives meet those needs, we will see fewer emotional outbursts (which sure is good for our own mental well-being).

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... when children feel like they don’t belong, that internalized shame and confusion can (and often will) lead to challenging behaviors in the classroom. Cultivating an environment of belonging not only honors and values each child, it will make your classroom a more joyful and peaceful place.

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When we all just agree to color inside the lines, eventually there will be no one left to design new lines.

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There is no inherent value in creating a child who can read at the age of four; especially if we use methods that kill their natural curiosity and stifle a love of reading. That love of story is what will drive them to become strong readers.

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I am not going to lie to you – I am pretty good at Candy Crush. Like, “finished all available levels” good. Because I have gone so far in the game, I get boosts that help me along the way. In case you are unfamiliar with the game, these boosts come from completing challenges, from […]

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As teachers, our goal is to teach children how to successfully navigate the world and the complex relationships that are part of it; not to punish them for not yet knowing.

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What the research tells us is that when there is an extrinsic motivation (like a sticker, the promise of a pizza party, screen time) the behavior becomes a means to an end. Short-term, we might see an increase in the behavior we want to see. But, in the long-term, the presence of an extrinsic motivation can build resentment about the desired activity.

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This time of year gets children and families thinking a lot about toys. All are in search of that elusive item that will guarantee joy and hours and hours of fun. In a recent edition of the ExchangeEveryDay, they summarized an article from wired.com (how is that for a convoluted intro?) that provides an interesting […]

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