Scientific method

Let Me Play

Halloween is celebrated in the USA with jack o' lanterns (the carved pumpkins in this photo have candles in them at night to make those faces even spookier); trick or treaters in all kinds of costumes (children going door to door collecting candy); and sometimes VERY scary movies and decorations and pranks. Do you celebrate Halloween in South Africa, Peru, or wherever you are? If so, what do you do? If not, is there another time of year when people dress up in costume?  Here is a link to a collection of halloween ideas for preschoolers. What do you think of all of this as it might relate to young children?

Book vs Movie?

Soon, the movie of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day will be in the theaters. But that movie is based on a classic preschool picture book.  Click here to listen to a read aloud of Alexander and the Terrible,  Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Then talk about how you might use this book in a preschool setting.

Weather is such a big part of a preschoolers understanding of the world. In some preschools children dress "weather bears" in appropriate clothing, measure rain fall or snow fall, track temperatures, and create wind socks or wind chimes to help observe the wind speed. What weather activities have you observed in preschool classes? Can you find an activity on the web that you think is Developmentally Appropriate for Preschoolers.

For those of you in Peru or in the USA, school has just started again for our professors, our college students, and for the preschoolers of our communities. In South Africa students have been attending school since January but are just now starting to see signs of a break to the winter.  Wherever you are, tell us about what you hope for over the next few months. Goal setting is the first step towards success as you define it for yourself.

Another way to draw children's attention to print. Let them illustration the labels around the room. This one was on the bathroom at the early childhood center.

Visiting the original campus of the University of San Marcos, founded in 1551, the oldest university in South America.

During a workshop on The Value of Play.

One of several meetings with some of the faculty of Early the Childhood Education Program at the Pontificia Universidad Catholica of Peru (PUCP). An awesome group of educators.

Preschoolers on a field trip right outside their school at the local shop. Notice how the teacher is drawing their attention to the print on the sign.

Surprise Parade

 I went to see the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace in the Plaza de Armes. I had no idea there was going to be a parade and that I would be at the staging grounds where the different groups gathered before marching. This is just a small taste of what I saw.

I visited a program today that included health care, nutrition, and the three programs depicted above where mothers learn the proper techniques for nursing their babies, "Skin to Skin" where young parents learn to connect and bond to their babies, and child care. It was an amazing place with dedicated staff working very hard to make a difference in the lives of at-risk families.

I visited 2 wonderful Reggio Emilia inspired preschools this morning. The children were involved in amazing work in both locations. At both schools learning was documented, natural materials were prominent and beauty was everywhere.

Meeting with the professional practicum supervisors of the PUCP Early Childhood and Primary Education team.

Very young children work alongside their parents and older siblings. In traditional dress, they sell items to tourists or accept (and expect) money to pose for pictures.

One child's pet is another child's dinner.

Field trip to see Incan ruins. The kids loved the day outdoors but thought what they saw was just a pile of rocks. Hopefully, the experience will be one that they will eventually appreciate having had.

Handmade finger puppets are everywhere. I'm bringing some back. Found these in a shop in the center of Lima. The little girl selling them was too cute to resist.

Heading for Peru in August to visit preschools and work with the faculty at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PCUP). Check back here to see how the trip is going. Know Spanish?? Then check out some of these early childhood links at PUCP. I don't speak Spanish but I love this image that I found on one of the PCUP sites.

UNICEF Children's Bill of Rights

Read the Bill of Rights for all the world's children. Are there any rights you think were left out? Are there any that surprised you?

Which of these rights can you help to make a reality for the children in your care or the children around the world?

June 29th is International Mud Day. How will you celebrate?
Check out these mud pie kitchens for inspiration.

HCC's Food for Thought Fair

Thanks for attending and discussing the Food For Thought Fair. It was great to have you all there. Our hope is that you take away some important ways to make yourself healthier and to make healthy eating fun for young children.