Children still need to engage in play because they are still using symbols to represent words, images, and ideas and their ability for abstract concepts isn’t yet developed. Play is where they put all of their learning together in ways their brains can understand.
Tag: early childhood education
I Am an Early Childhood Educator. I Should Be Shaping Early Childhood Policy.
Illinois must ensure early childhood educators’ voices continue to shape policy. Teacher reps must be part of the next steps in building a more equitable system of early care and learning across our state.
Arte en Casa/Art at Home
En este video, mi amigo, Maestro Jesús Oviedo, mostró proyectos artísticos que familias pueden hacer en casa con agua, pintura y jabón. In this video, my friend, teacher Jesús Oviedo, demonstrates art projects that families can do at home with water, paint and soap. Maestro Jesús, an artist and early childhood educator, shared some thoughts on how art inspires deep…
Here’s What Happens When Early Childhood Teachers Go Deep Connecting with Families
When I first started teaching early childhood special education four years ago, I was confident in my teaching ability and behavior management skills. I was quickly confronted with the realization that I was working not only with my students, but with their families. During my first round of parent-teacher conferences and the first few IEP meetings, I wasn’t sure what…
Christopher House Breaks Ground on Innovative Middle School
As a toddler, Camilla Ruelas had a life-saving liver transplant. She’s now a sixth-grader at Christopher House Charter School, with her sights set on college at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and later, medical school. “I hope to learn more about the human body and anatomy to become a doctor someday,” and perform those lifesaving transplants herself, she told a…