“We do a lot of improv here.” – Buttercup the Hedgehog in “Toy Story 3” This is my favorite scene in the wonderful movie “Toy Story 3.” Woody the cowboy has just arrived at the home of […]
Tag Archives: young children
Young children express a remarkable amount of creative thinking through physical improvisation. They explore their bodies’ possibilities for power, speed, range of motion, directionality, and emotional expressiveness on a daily basis to an extent that would exhaust a professional athlete or dancer. Games and activities that incorporate opportunities for movement improvisation are a very natural […]
This article appears in the current issue of Creativity Portal (creativity-portal.com). If you’re not familiar with Creativity Portal, check it out- it has wonderful ideas and articles for artists, writers, teachers, and other creative people! The Creative Magic of Naming How to use the Naming Game to empower children and foster creativity. By Abby Connors […]
“We do a lot of improv here.” – Buttercup the Hedgehog in “Toy Story 3” This is my favorite scene in the wonderful movie “Toy Story 3.” Woody the cowboy has just arrived at the home of […]
I decided to do a version of “Fun Fun Friday” today because my students were so interesting and entertaining today, I just couldn’t wait. So: Wacky Wednesday! First, a boy raised his hand to say, “Did you know that squirrels sound just like birds?” (Just FYI, nothing we’d been doing today had anything to do […]
Teaching and learning – we think they go hand in hand, but sometimes, oddly enough, they’re at odds with each other. Especially when it comes to early childhood. We know that young children learn through play, not through worksheets; with their whole bodies, not just their eyes and ears; and through concrete experiences, not discussions […]
Our aim is not only to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core. – Maria Montessori I’m not a Montessori teacher, but I absolutely love this quote! When was the last time you thought of your aim as a […]
Two Little Blackbirds – Music Together available on Amazon Of course, there are many versions of this traditional fingerplay song. This one is my favorite, for many reasons. It flows at a leisurely pace, so even very young children can follow alongeasily. An adult voice alternates with a young girl’s voice, which adds texture and interest. There’s a […]
If you were a bear who lived in a neat cave right on the beach, you might not be that eager to take a trip to the city. But that’s what the bear in this story does, lured by the intriguing sounds of cars and trains. Of course, he has many adventures. When he tires […]
Long car trips with young children can be a challenge, but singing silly songs as a family can make the time go by quickly and provide lasting memories. Here are some fun songs to try with your kids. The Nursery Rhyme Family Substitute the names of family members for famous nursery rhyme characters. For example: […]
Music (and Science) For Young Children 