The Children's Studio

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We have an opening in our current class! Check out our website and give us a call to find out if our program is right for your 3-4 year old!

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This is a great book about the power of connection and play.

"The Importance of Being Little" by Erika Christakis argues for a shift in how we approach early childhood. The book champions fostering a child's natural curiosity and love of learning through play, exploration, and strong relationships rather than the current focus on academics in early childhood education. This is a must-read for parents, educators, and anyone interested in fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Embrace the Journey: Many parents view childhood as a race to get children "ready" for kindergarten or beyond. The Importance of Being Little reminds us that childhood is a valuable journey in itself. Don't pressure your child to achieve specific academic goals at a young age. Focus on creating an environment that sparks their curiosity and allows them to learn and explore at their own pace.

2. Motivation Matters More Than Rewards: Traditional methods often rely on rewards (stickers, praise) and punishments (time-outs) for behavior management. Christakis argues that these extrinsic motivators can undermine a child's intrinsic motivation – the natural desire to learn and explore. Instead, focus on open communication and positive reinforcement. Help them understand the impact of their actions and the natural consequences.

3. The Power of Play: Play is not just about fun and games; it's essential for a child's development. Through open-ended play (think building blocks, dress-up, imaginative scenarios), children explore their creativity, problem-solve, develop social skills, and learn about the world around them.

4. Building the Foundation: Feeling loved and accepted unconditionally is crucial for a child's well-being. The Importance of Being Little emphasizes the importance of strong, secure relationships with caregivers. This sense of security allows children to feel safe to take risks, explore their environment, and learn new things.

5. Conversations, Stories, and Songs: Formal lessons aren't the only way to help your child develop language skills. Everyday interactions like conversations, storytelling, and singing are filled with rich opportunities for language learning. Engage your child, ask open-ended questions, and listen attentively.

6. Emotional Intelligence: The Importance of Being Little goes beyond academics. Helping children understand and manage their emotions is vital. Validate their feelings, teach healthy coping mechanisms, and model emotional intelligence yourself.

7. Unstructured Time: Freedom to Explore, Freedom to Learn: Children learn best by doing and exploring. Provide unstructured time for them to follow their interests and curiosity at their own pace. This allows them to develop a love of learning, independence, and a sense of self-discovery.

8. Boundaries Provide Security, Not Stifle Growth: While The Importance of Being Little advocates for freedom and exploration, it doesn't mean a lack of boundaries. Clear and consistent limits create a safe and secure environment for children. Set age-appropriate expectations and provide guidance in a loving and respectful way.

9. Beyond Peers: The Irreplaceable Role of Adults: While peer interaction is important for social development, Christakis reminds us that children still crave adult connection. Spend quality time with your child, engaging in activities they enjoy, talking, and building a strong bond.

10. Lifelong Learners and Responsible Individuals: By prioritizing exploration, play, and positive relationships, you nurture your child's natural curiosity and love of learning. This, in turn, lays the foundation for them to become confident, responsible, and lifelong learners who are intrinsically motivated to explore the world and reach their full potential.

BOOK: https://amzn.to/3WCbuOb

You can get the Audiobook for FREE when you register for Audible Membership through the same link above

Very important decisions being made at preschool today. What color will our next batch of play dough be? How will it smell? Counting and thinking about data are important early math skills.

Co-constructing predictable text builds community, gives children voice, and introduces many important concepts about print. These pieces become some of our favorite reading material at preschool!

Teachers and kids practice storytelling using puppets- generating story ideas, building vocabulary, using story language, playing with story structure, and having so much fun. This is learning through play!

A rainy day story 🌦️☔️🌈

Recipes are great first reading materials for emergent readers. We learn concepts about print and develop alphabet knowledge while making a yummy snack.

What is teacher Kirsten sorting the buttons by? Size? Color? Shape? Number of holes? How many buttons are in each group? Which group or category has the most buttons? The fewest? Encouraging children to observe, question, and draw conclusions builds the foundation of mathematical thinking in preschool.

3-year-olds learn best when they’re eager participants in fun activities. Teachers help kids turn their oral stories into books. Kids practice scissor and gluing skills, develop their phonological awareness, build confidence, and learn concepts about print like directionality, word spacing, and picture/print matching. No pressure, no resistance, just fun and learning! Teaching this way takes more planning and expertise than passing out worksheets but the payoff is so worth it.

Noticing all the many things we can do with our hands. At this time in the year, kids are becoming so independent. Things that used to be hard are easier now and they feel so proud of their accomplishments.

Working near friends and working cooperatively with friends can be tricky. Preschoolers practice sharing materials and building on each other’s ideas with a lot of teacher guidance and support.

We don’t let a little rain get in the way of our important work. We have playing to do!