It’s summertime, and that usually means more time outdoors. But in today’s world, it seems that “outdoor time” has come to mean “playground time.” I remember reading Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods, and being reminded that there is a difference between “outdoor time with nature” and “outdoor time with slides and swings.”
In his book, Louv helped us understand the important benefits of outdoor play in nature. He also wrote about what happens when children don’t have that kind of free time to explore, discover and just “hang out” in natural surroundings. He coined the term “nature-deficit disorder,” and he believes that it’s responsible for obesity, attention disorders and depression. His perspective has helped many of us in early childhood look for ways to encourage nature-based outdoor time.
MUSIC - It's More than Meets the Ear
September 2023: A gazillion times! Is that how many times you've sung Itsy, Bitsy Spider and Wheels on the Bus? I know it's not easy to keep finding the energy and enthusiasm to sing the same songs over and over again, but I hope you know how much you're giving children when you do.
August 2023: The world lost a legendary musical giant last month when Tony Bennett died. We're left with our memories and treasured recordings. I wonder if you knew that one of those recordings was from our very own Neighborhood - in 1975. Not with Lady Gaga - but with Lady Elaine!
I wonder how you felt about math when you were in school? I have heard many early childhood professionals say math was not their favorite subject. I actually liked math, but even now I can remember how it felt when we were faced with long division problems with a remainder...
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