Beware Playground Rant To Follow (by Jeff Johnson)

Beware Playground Rant To Follow: 

We took Grandbaby to the riverfront playground over the weekend. It was a beautiful day in the 50's--the first nice day in a while. I was eager to see her head off and play with a roaming herd of kids.

As we arrived, I was disappointed to see that the parking lot was mostly empty--and so was the playground. When Grandbaby's Mommy was little this park would have been packed on such a day.

The play structures back then were the same plasticy things we have today , but at least back then there were some swings and sand.

The swings and sand are gone now. So are the merry-go-rounds, the teeter-totters, the super tall and fast slides, and the kids.

The problem is that these play spaces are designed for adults, not for children. For example:

They are designed to make adults feel safe and secure (We don't want to worry about law suits or Risk).

They are designed to visually appeal to adults (we want to boost property values and make other adults exclaim "wow, what a nice playground" when they pass through town.)

They are designed for adult access (in many communities fewer and fewer playgrounds are being built in locations children can walk to--they are mostly drive-to locations).

Children get easily bored with these playgrounds and are usually eager to move on to other things--especially if there are not other kids around. The most fun Grandbaby had on our playground visit was investigating an abandoned sock she found in the wood chips.

Sadly, we're not going to be hurrying back to the playground. I'll just toss some loose parts (including socks) into the yard for Grandbaby.

How about some more public play spaces designed for kids?

-Jeff Johnson-

Teacher Tom: Just Right RIsk

I loved this post from Teacher Tom: Just Right Risk,  the photos are inspiring and his posts are aways inspiration, down to earth, creative, and just down right inspiring for parents and caregivers!

So if you have not already please check out Teacher Toms website for his daily posts about children.

photo from Teacher Tom Blog

What would happen if child care were not available?

What would happen if child care were not available?  This was the question the Local Child Care Planning Council of Humboldt (CA) County explored with their video "A Day Without ChildCare".  This well-produced video presents some very serious issues about the importance of child care services in a humorous context.  Often our advocacy messages are so very serious.  This takes a different approach to get the message across.  Check this one out

Teacher Tom: The Foundation Of A Good Education

It’s love and play that form the foundation of a good education. Without that the rest is meaningless....

Teacher Tom: The Foundation Of A Good Education

Respecting children's learning

Some really good information/perspective can be found here:
zella said purple: respecting children's learning

Another newer article series I like from this same site is titled "just playing?". Check them out!

Setting up a Reggio Inspired Activity

Beautiful Reggio-inspired activities that will engage children and  appeal to their interests. You can find the blog here: Setting up a Reggio-inspired Activity. 

She also has another really good blog about reggio you ca. Find ot here: Getting Started: Reggio at Home. And this one is about about Reggio Materials 

 I hope you enjoy it and find it as useful as I did.

magical muddiness

I encourage everyone to check out forest schools blog posting about Magical Muddiness

Praying for a Pay Raise

Teacher in Mississippi: Praying for a Pay Raise (source)

“I’m getting ready to go to bed b/c I have to get up at 5:00 in the morning for early duty. I plan to pray tonight for our Elected Officials b/c that is what it says to do in the Bible to pray for them b/c they are placed in authority. I have a lot of emotions going through my mind but I hope and pray that the Representatives will do the right thing tomorrow and Support our Ms Teachers. We all work hard and we all do it b/c we love the children and love our communities. Even though we don’t teach for the money we all have bills to pay and have to provide for our on families. It really bothers me personally though that the State would be willing to give away $350 million to big corporations, willing to give tax credits to Vouchers for private schools, and expanding Charter Schools across our states. I truly believe that some of these elected officials have forgotten us and just don’t respect us anymore. I just don’t understand how they can start new schools while our schools are underfunded and teachers are struggling to make it. Anyway I’m off my soapbox but plan to keep the fight and plan to do the best job that I can to educate my children everyday. God Bless you all.”

The Bitter Cold Isn’t So Bad When You Do What This Awesome Family Did. Brilliant Idea!

I was forwarded this really neat post.  Thanks Reggio Children Inspired for forwarding this site:

http://www.viralnova.com/colored-igloo/

As we have been bombarded with brutal cold weather and a snow storm at least once a week.  We have seemed to have tons of snow (3-5 feet) and are averaging temperatures of minus 25 to 45 degree.  It  feels like were living in an igloo.  It does require a lot of creativity, motivation and inspiration to get though (not to mention we will have another 2+ months to go).

Here's a photo of one of my little munchkins playing with some ice blocks as food and treasures.....

Slow unstructured play!

"Slowing Down And Embracing Unstructured Play"

Personally, I think time that is not planned out is really important for everyone, yes thats right adults included.  Whether its a stroll in the park, bike ride or some sun basking.   It can allow you to be more focused and creative once you are placed back at a structured task.

When we finally accept the truth about PLAY (article)

Check it out at Teacher Tom: parenting

                       Photo taken by pebble creek photography

What good Parenting Means

I wanted to share an article with you  written by Teacher Tom called What Good Parenting Means

Reason why it's such a great reminder (specially after the challenging morning I have had) because its something So simple, clearly very true, yet not always easy or possible and often gets forgot about/pushed under the rug... BUT we need to make time to try, its never to late!
And of course it not only applicable to our wee ones but to everybody(human or animal) and place (even possessions and things) to which we invest our hearts, time and soul into.
"It is how we handle our own reponces and observe our reactions that determknes our growth and instills and inspires growth and love in those around us"

Telephone meeting on manitoba government budget

Telephone town hall meeting on manitoba  government budget.

You will be able to vote on budget priorities and ask the minister questions.

This goverment needs to hear the importance of including childcare, families and our communities.

Call will take place February 10.
For more information and to Register  click this link...

http://www.gov.mb.ca/finance/consult/virtual.html