Blogs

Our Learning Moments

Our Learning Moments is a blog where families share stories about their children’s learning. We’re excited that so many of you have submitted your stories. We post stories from families about young children’s (birth through age 8) learning moments on an ongoing basis. Please submit your own Our Learning Moments story ideas!

 

Favorite Dads in Children’s Books

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Tue, 05/28/2013 - 13:44

Who are your favorite dads in children’s books?  One of mine is Trixie’s dad in Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems. Trixie and her dad take a trip to the Laundromat. All goes well until they leave and Trixie realizes they left her beloved bunny behind.

Who Is Your Favorite Mom in a Children's Book?

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 09:24

Children’s books are full of moms.  Duck moms, rabbit moms, bear moms, and of course, human moms. Mother Bear from the Little Bear books is one of my favorite moms in a children's book.

Walking with a Toddler Takes So Long Because There’s So Much to Learn

Submitted by Peggy Ashbrook
on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 11:14

When my son was 2, a walk around my neighborhood could take an hour. There were multiple steps leading up to each house to test one’s strength and agility. We counted each set of steps, sometimes more than once. We looked up at the sky to see clouds and, sometimes, the moon. 

The Year the Superheroes and Villains Came

Submitted by Marica Mitchell
on Wed, 03/13/2013 - 11:08

As a parent and early childhood educator, I thought I was well-equipped to deal with every developmental stage. I was grounded in the teachings of child development. I knew I was ready for anything that could possibly happen between birth and age 8— that is, until the year the superheroes and their villains arrived. I was overwhelmed and was not prepared for this type of play.

Working Out Conflict with Children

Submitted by Lynn A. Manfred...
on Wed, 02/20/2013 - 14:12

I just finished helping 5-year-old Janie and almost 5-year-old Olivia work through a BIG conflict at my home-based school, so it was a good time to reflect on how we resolve conflicts between friends. I hope some of these ideas will help families and teachers with the conflicts that inevitably come up between friends and siblings at home and at school. As you can see from this story, figuring out what happened can sometimes take a little time.

Getting Past the Hard Times

Submitted by Tracy Galuski
on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 09:11

One day I was shopping at a large discount store with my 2-year-old daughter. She was happily buckled into the cart, and we chatted while we browsed the aisles. Unfortunately I dawdled a little too long, and she began to fuss over a toy she wanted. I tried to calm her, but she howled at the top of her lungs. Fellow shoppers peeked to see what was causing the commotion while I rushed to the front of the store. Her crying continued at the register, on the way to the car, and as I put the belt of the car seat around her wiggly body.

How Was School Today?

Submitted by Mary Jaffe
on Thu, 12/13/2012 - 10:13

Our son, Sam’s first months of kindergarten have been going well. He loves his teacher, has made new friends, and once in a while even tells us what’s happening at school. While Sam is usually a chatterbox, he’s quiet about school. Actually he’s quiet about what he does at school. We know lots of things about his friends.

It’s hard to get information from him. When I pick him up, he tends to focus on what’s happening next—whether it’s an afterschool activity, play date, homework, or snack—instead of talking about the school day.

 

Top 10 No Cost Toys for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Submitted by Karen Nemeth
on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 16:58

Here's My Top 10 Toy Ideas for Infants!

1. Measuring cups and spoons to shake, rattle, and roll

2. Plastic containers to stack, fill, and empty

3. Washcloth to hide a surprise, wave in the air, or help with cleanup

Thoughts on Giving

Submitted by Mimi Brodsky Ch...
on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 10:55

Thanksgiving. Christmas. Chanukah. Kwaanza. It’s that time of year when millions of us plunge headlong into the season of GIFTS!

Sometimes we forget important ideas like “’tis a gift to be simple.” Children help us remember. For example, after a day of creativity workshops with classes in a nearby school, I was packing my stuff in the gym when a group of children ran in to practice a dance they were working on. I stopped everything to admire their delightful energy and patterns. As I left the gym, some of the children called out, “Mimi! Thanks for watching us!”

Playing with Stories: Using Books to Inspire Play

Submitted by Melissa Taylor
on Fri, 10/26/2012 - 13:07

Books helped me discover my playful side, a side that once didn't come naturally. To be perfectly honest, not only did I not feel playful but I also had postpartum depression.