Emily Plank - Abundant Life Children

Iona Opie, along with her husband Peter, were some of the first to study and document the oral culture of childhood. Together, the two dedicated their careers to collecting and researching the games and nursery rhymes of children. They were some of the early pioneers in a field of study dedicated to understanding the world of children *through* the eyes of children themselves. So much of the research for my book and the readings I am currently doing for my master's program are built on the work of the Opies. What a lovely obituary in the Guardian.

Iona Opie obituary Folklorist who collected, codified and published children’s rhymes, riddles and street culture

While I think we can debate the foundational assumption that this generation of young people are the "me, me me" generation, I do think this article offers really excellent ideas about how to broaden children's contexts and help root them in gratitude. Enjoy! :)

How to raise kinder, less entitled kids (according to science) They aren’t beasts; there’s an explanation for why they act that way. Here’s how to fix it.

Very happy to see that NAEYC has a new membership structure with a much more affordable annual membership. If you aren't already a member, check it out!

Welcome to the NEW NAEYC Membership! NAEYC is excited to announce our NEW Membership structure! We're doubling down on our commitment to serving the early learning profession. Learn more at NAEY...

We talk at length about the value of play for a child's future. What if that's the wrong place to start?

"As early childhood educators, what would we say if children’s play actually didn’t make a difference in their lives as future adults? If play was something that children did, not because it made them into better or more competent adults, but because it was a critical element of experiencing the world as a child. Would we still work so hard to defend it?"

What If Play Doesn't Help Kids In Adulthood? - Emily Plank As early childhood educators, what would we say if children's play actually didn't make a difference in their lives as future adults? If play was something that children did, not because it made them into better or more competent adults, but because it was a critical element of experiencing the worl...

Tomorrow is my first day of school. [happy dance!!] I am thrilled to be starting a master's degree in Child Studies at the Linköpings universitet in Sweden. The program is largely online, so I will work from home and travel a few times each year of the two-year program for some in-person coursework and exams. I will be so excited to share some of what I am learning and reading with all of you!!

SILVER WINNER! Yahoo!

Discovering the Culture of Childhood wins silver from Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Awards--Education category, and was a finalist in the Midwest Book Awards.

YES! Thank you Janet Lansbury - Elevating Child Care.

"...we’re expecting them to reason out the unreasonable while dealing with equal doses of shame and guilt, then miraculously come to their senses and henceforth conduct themselves with a more mature level of self-control.

This is a fantasy. It’s just not going to happen."

Why Timeouts Fail and What to do Instead Timeout is a temporary, artificial, and inadequate solution to a real problem. Worse, it actually prevents us from seeing the real problem, because when kids

It's easy for blogs and parenting articles to over-simplify, to make parenting appear too much like a formula...and yet I consistently find that when I make time to connect with my kids in the mornings, that our days usually (not always...but usually) run more smoothly.

The One Thing Parents Can Do to Make Mornings Smoother, According to Science - Parent Co. Take a minute for connection before rattling off a list of must-dos.

Good reminders!

Not Naughty: 10 Ways Kids Appear to Be Acting Bad But Aren't Many of kids' so-called "naughty" behaviors are developmental and human.

Early childhood do work that is valuable, complex, demanding and important. Celebrate them by investing in them!

Are you registered for the 2nd annual Play Empowers PEP Rally? June 8, 9, 10, 11th 2017...Adamstown, Maryland. I will be speaking, along with Peter Gray and lots of other talented and amazing early childhood educators. There are still a few spots left, so if you aren't registered, do it today!

PEP Rally INFO 2nd Annual PEP Rally! June 8, 9, 10, 11th 2017 Claggett Retreat and Conference Center 3035 Adamstown, Maryland REGISTER ...