News/Blog

This week’s article: “The Science of Play: 3 Poems and a Movie”, comes to us from ECLC Faculty Member Janice Chan. Janice forwarded this article and it is brilliant! It offers a wonderful take on the value of play through the eyes or artistic works of some of our most famous artists. Don’t miss this unique take on Play through the lens of Art.

What do you think? …. Join our discussion on the Facebook page. To read the full article, click here: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/03/the-science-of-play-3-poems-and-a-movie/

This article touches on three vital parts of learning “how to think”, as opposed to “how to regurgitate facts”. We hope that you will take a brief moment to read the article and let us know what you think!

To read the full article, click here: http://www.parents.com/blogs/red-hot-parenting/2012/03/13/health/3-ways-to-talk-to-your-toddler-that-pay-off-academically-10-years-later/

This week’s article: “The Need for Pretend Play in Childhood” This article really focuses in on the important skill set that children develop through imaginative play. This piece of the article nicely summarizes the importance of games in helping children develop capacity for self-regulation…. “ The research reviewed by Berk, Mann & Ogan, (2006) and Hirsh-Pasek, Golinkoff, Berk, & Singer (2009) suggest that make-believe games are forerunners of the important capacity for forms of self-regulation including reduced aggression, delay of gratification, civility, and empathy. When children use toys to  introduce possible scenarios or friends, the representation of multiple perspectives occurs naturally. Taking on different roles allows children the unique opportunity to learn social skills such as communication, problem solving, and empathy (Hughes, 1999).”

To read the full article, click here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beautiful-minds/201203/the-need-pretend-play-in-child-development

Much has been made of Transitional Kindergarten, but this article clearly articulates some of the advantages. While parents ponder the “right” starting age for children entering Kindergarten and the anxiety ridden question of “is my child ready?”, we believe that ttransitional kindergarten “is the greatest thing we can do to close the achievement gap in California,” and ensure that children are prepared for Kindergarten.

While the choice is an individual one for families, we as a school, feel that it is best for children to enter Kindergarten at age 5. If you find yourself frustrated with your public school Kindergarten program or still questioning what to do with your child who has a birthday in summer -fall 2008, come learn more about our TK program. Only a few spots remain!

To read the full article, click here: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/08/local/la-me-kindergarten-20120208

This week’s article offers some interesting insights: “ Twelve things you were not taught in school about creative thinking”. While this is not an exhaustive list, this is article provides great thought provoking ideas about encouraging our children to be creative thinkers. As many educators, brain scientists, sociologists and “big thinkers” of our time are espousing, use of our right brain will be the determining factor of success for our children’s generation.

When we look at the core tenets of our Reggio-inspired approach to early childhood education we find tremendous correlation in this list of creative skill set development.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creative-thinkering/201112/twelve-things-you-were-not-taught-in-school-about-creative-thinking