Tag Archives: early childhood education

The surprisingly logical mind of babies

Posted on November 21, 2015 by backyardbooks

Another fantastic TED talk…

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Timing teaching

Posted on April 28, 2015 by backyardbooks

“Early childhood education, like all education, is a deliberate intervention in the lives of young children. It results from a belief that children growing up naturally might not come to know all the things we want them to know.” ~ … Continue reading →

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Societal violence and the treatment of children

Posted on October 22, 2014 by backyardbooks

I’m still taking notes from Peter Gray’s Free to Learn: “…recently, research involving many types of societies has shown systematic relationships between a society’s structure and its treatment of children. In one study, Carol and Melvin Ember analyzed massive amounts … Continue reading →

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Peter Gray on free play vs resume building in childhood

Posted on October 18, 2014 by backyardbooks

Peter Gray writes: “Children are designed, by nature, to play and explore on their own, independently of adults. They need freedom in order to develop; without it they suffer. The drive to play freely is a basic, biological drive. Lack … Continue reading →

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Another quote on the value of play

Posted on September 14, 2014 by backyardbooks

“Play – it’s natural for young children. We see children engaging in play almost from the moment of birth. They play with their hands; they play with sounds; and they play with almost anything anywhere. Animals and adult humans engage … Continue reading →

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Metaphor use by young children

Posted on January 29, 2014 by backyardbooks

I have been researching metaphor use by young children… Annoyingly, much of the work on children’s use of metaphor seems to focus on their ability to understand and make themselves understood in the adult world (rather than on their own … Continue reading →

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Neuroscience, ECE and play

Posted on January 28, 2014 by backyardbooks

In a Guest Editorial to the Early Childhood Education Journal, Stephen Rushton “examines neuroscience and its impact on the field of education. [He] intertwines research with basic principles of learning…. The four principles are: (1) the brain is uniquely organized; (2) … Continue reading →

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Kindergarten: the seed pearl of the modern era

Posted on January 1, 2014 by backyardbooks

Norman Brosterman describes kindergarten as “the seed pearl of the modern era” (p.7) In his history of Froebel’s kindergarten, he writes: “Kindergarten has been around so long, and is so familiar, that it is natural to assume personal expertise on … Continue reading →

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The Power of Addiction and The Addiction of Power: Gabor Maté

Posted on October 24, 2013 by backyardbooks

Pennie Brownlee just drew our attention to the following TED talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66cYcSak6nE In her October 2013 newsletter, she writes: ““The source of addictions in not to be found in genes, but in the early childhood environment,” says Hungarian-born Canadian doctor Gabor … Continue reading →

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It is important to recall memories of play

Posted on September 25, 2013 by backyardbooks

“As teachers of very young children it is important to recall memories of play so as to recognize the play that is presented by our youngest citizens.” ~ Adrienne Sansom (p.30) Arguing for the importance of play and recognition of … Continue reading →

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