Susan Friedman's blog

Generosity Misunderstood Through a Toddler’s Eyes

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Thu, 11/10/2016 - 12:56

Like many families ours has memorable stories from early childhood we repeat every now and then.  This one is about the birthday message my son asked me to write on his cousin's card.

Q&A: What the Research Tells us About Block Play and STEM Learning

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 12:05

Young children + families + interactive block building = future scientists, architects and engineers.
During a recent event at NAEYC celebrating the opening of the White House-sponsored Early Learning STEM Symposium, Patricia Kempthorne highlighted BLOCKFest, a research-based initiative designed to equip children ages 8 mo.-8 yrs. (and their families) with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills through block play. Kempthorne is the mother behind the idea and the founder of The Twiga Foundation, which supports BLOCK Fest.

Time Goes By So Fast: Play Makes Meaningful Memories

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Wed, 11/04/2015 - 10:31

When your kids are little everyone says, “Treasure this time. It goes by so fast.” When in the midst of changing diapers or getting the call to pick up a sick child from school, it’s hard to believe that being there, wanting you, needing you is a period in time. It’s over all of a sudden. 

Mud Brought Them Together

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Mon, 06/22/2015 - 16:30

My daughter was a year old - crawling but not yet walking and my son was four.  When we went outdoors that spring my son went to his dirt pile for some serious digging and my daughter played with plastic toys, stuffed animals, books – whatever we placed nearby. 

“My Teacher Made me Draw a Nose!” And Other Tales of Starting School

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Wed, 07/30/2014 - 16:47

My son got off the bus after his first day of kindergarten and told me he didn't want to go back to school if he had to draw a nose.  He was pretty upset about it. It took me a while to figure out what he was talking about but finally I pieced it together.

How Has a Teacher Impacted Your Child's Learning?

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Mon, 05/05/2014 - 10:10

When my son was a preschooler, I learned he didn’t join in with the group during singing or movement time when I dropped off a forgotten lunch box. He sat and watched while all the other children sang and danced.

Evaluating Children's Media: How Do You Decide What's Educational?

Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Mon, 01/27/2014 - 17:00

As children spend more time using screen media, how can we evaluate what our children are learning? 

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.

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Submitted by Susan Friedman
on Tue, 11/25/2014 - 16:34

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