A Quick Mention

While doing some research for a paper I am writing I came across The Strong website and felt I had to share it with you guys.

The Strong “is a highly interactive, collections-based educational institution devoted to the study and exploration of play” – thestrong.org.

The institution spreads its knowledge and has five “programmatic arms” called play partners.   One of these play partners is the National Museum of Play (NMP).  The NMP combines history and fun while offering extensive collections (like the largest doll collection) and hands-on activities.  I have never been to the NMP but it sounds like my type of museum! What I loved about both the Strong website and the NMP’s website is that they have great information and research on the benefits of play.  I encourage you all you check it out!

Thanks for stopping by,

Alyshia.marli

My Type of homework: Creating meaningful Interactions

My Type of homework…

Based on recent research conducted by Linda Cameron and her husband Lee Bartel, homework can stir up a mix of emotions and opinions.  It seems that no one – teachers, parents, school boards or students – are on the same page when it comes to homework.  I have had the honor to have Linda Cameron as my professor for three courses during my two years at OISE.  I have also had the pleasure to hear about and meet Lee Bartel.  Both amazing people I urge everyone to check out their research and work on their website, Connecting people with research.  

Now it is time to ask yourselves how you feel about homework!  Do you think homework promotes meaningful interactions?  Do you feel that homework benefits a child’s academic success? And last but not least, what do you think homework should look like?

Challenge #2: Creating a meaningful interaction at home.

I am not sure what you imagined when I asked “what homework should look like?”, but my idea of homework (especially in the younger grades) is an activity that brings the family together and is “real, meaningful and relevant” – Linda Bartel.  My challenge for you is to create your own real, meaningful and relevant experience with you child or children.  One example of a fun activity you can do with you children that is educational and interesting is building a family tree.  You can start as far back as you want, do it on the computer or draw your own tree, you can even decorate it and frame it as wall art (finger prints make great leaves).  Have fun, be creative and enjoy the time you have with your children!  And let me know how the challenge goes! If you are not a wordpress member and would like to share your experience mail me at alyshia.marli@gmail.com and i’ll post your story.

Thanks for stopping by!

alyshia.marli

Nature Deficit Disorder

 

Hi guys,

I apologize for not posting in a while, I was away on vacation and the day after I got home I began working for my Aunt & Uncle running programs on one of their natural playgrounds.    My aunt and uncle are one of the few people I know that have been fortunate enough to make a career by combining their two passions.  In this case it’s landscaping and early childhood education.  Check out their company Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds.  Not only do they build beautiful playgrounds, they also advocate on behalf of the importance of play, the environment, and children’s creativity.

 

Although I didn’t blog doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about what I was going to write about when I blogged. Throughout the week there were two “things” that I kept noticing.  1) was the  difference I could see between children from different educational environments & 2) the reality of the nature-deficit disorder, a term I learnt about last semester.   Today we will be focusing on nature-deficit disorder.

 

Like I mentioned above, I first heard the term ‘nature-deficit disorder’ while I was reading ‘Einstein never used flashcards: How our children really learn- and why they need to play more and memorize less by,R.Golinkoff, K.Hirsh-Pasek, & D.Eyer.  However nature-deficit disorder was termed by Richard Louv in 2005.  Nature-deficit is characterized by the lack of (free) time children spend outside and the wide range of behaviour issues that can can develop as a result.   Louv, pinpoints three main reasons why children spend so little time outside 1) safety/parents fear 2) restricted access to natural resources/ loss of natural surroundings 3) increased time inside/the lure of the screen.

 

Louv also points out that too often parents favour regimented sports over imaginary play.

The question I want you guys to ask your self is how much time a day or week does your child have for free play outdoor?  And what does that outdoor environment look like?

 

If the concept of natural playgrounds are new to you, do some personal research on Natural Playgrounds and see what you think!  Personally, I think in our concrete-dominant world all of our playgrounds should embrace nature and place children in a natural creative surrounding.

Let me know what you think!!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

alyshia.marli

“letting children be children in our achievement oriented society” … Challenge #1

Letting children be children in our achievement oriented society” –  Dr. William Crain

I have recently started reading Reclaiming Childhood, by Dr. William Crain, a developmental psychologist and social activist.  Although I am still in the first half of the book, I felt I had to share what I’ve learned so far from the very insightful Dr. Crain.  In his book, Dr. Crain offers his readers a refreshing and honest approach to child development.  An approach that can be identified as the “child-centered approach”.  Personally, for me this book is an extension from what I’ve learned during my early-childhood education degree as well as what I continue to learn at OISE…..Play and exploration aremore important than you think, especially when it comes to a child’s academic success and overall well-being.  Ideally, parents or caregivers should allow children to independently explore and play with their surroundings, as they stand off in the sidelines for moral support.

“The child-centered philosophy, then, holds that we help children learn by respecting their own ways of learning…Thus, we should bring the baby and toddler into contact with a world in all its richness and then give the child a chance to explore what is most interesting to her.  Instead of trying to assist or direct the child’s investigations, we should give the child a chance to learn on her own” Reclaiming Childhood, (p.27)

As I mentioned above, I have only began reading Reclaiming Childhood, but I look forward to the chapters ahead and to sharing what I learn with all of you!

I leave you all with a challenge, especially to those who have young children at home…take a walk with your child (grandchild, niece or nephew), however this time the child is unknowingly in-charge.  Follow the child’s lead, if he or she wants to stop and look at a leaf or bug stop with them and don’t bombard them with information let them ask you questions if he or she has any. Remember to take your time, don’t rush the child, follow the child’s lead, and make sure you leave  plenty of time of exploration (give your self double the time it would normally take you)!

Once you have tried this outside, trying letting you child have the same type of exploratory play within the home.

By doing this challenge you are allowing your child to explore and interact with things that are of interest to them, making their own sense of the world around them.

I would love to hear your feedback on how this challenge worked for you, or any questions or comments you may have about play, parent-engagement, or education. If you are unable to comment on my blog page feel free to visit me on twitter, @alyshiamarli   I am also in the process of creating a Facebook page – this way we can all communicate with each other 🙂

Thanks for stopping by,

alyshia.marli

FOUR QUICK TIPS FOR POSITIVE PARENT-ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION

4 Quick Tips For Positive Parent-Engagement in Education:

1. Be an engaged-partner in learning: help with and check your children’s homework.
2. Model positive attitudes: show your children that you believe that learning and education is important.
3. Creat an open and positive relationship with your children’s teacher/school: attend school events, check in regularly with their homeroom teacher, and engage in open two-way communication.
4. Have fun with education: create or engage in fun educational activities and adventures, and make sure to include the whole family 🙂

ATTENTION PARENTS: DO YOU KNOW YOU MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC SUCCESS?

I have recently read an eye-opening book called, Do Parents Know They Matter? Raising achievement through parental engagement.  Written by, Alma Harris, Kirstie Andrew-Power, and Janet Goodall, three well-established women in the field of education.  I deem this book a must read for parents, educators, and school administers.  The book goes beyond parent volunteering within the school and highlights: the importance and impact of parent engagement, what engagement looks like at home, how to support home engagement in schools, how to overcome the challenges that teachers might face, and provides examples of effective school-home communication.

I found there to be two overall take home messages in this book: 1) is that parents are the most underused and yet the most effective means of improving student academic success, 2) that administrators, teachers, and parents need to work together and put parent engagement at the core of learning, encouraging the involvement of parents with the school and its curriculum.

I leave you with a quote from this book, (p. 60)

“… engagement with learning  in the home should be the ultimate aim of all school and parental collaboration if there is to be a positive impact on student achievement”

 Thanks for stopping by,

alyshia.marli

Post #1: Welcome :)

Hi guys,

Welcome to my first blog ever!! This blog was originally created as a project for one of my courses in graduate school (I am currently months away from graduating from the Master of Education program at OISE-University of Toronto); however, I hope this blog will last much longer than just a few months and that you guys will be with me as I venture into the beginning of my career.

I created this blog to support the parent-school relationship, learning in the home, and children’s academic success. I will use this forum to post my thoughts, articles, videos, links, and anything else I find interesting and helpful. Please feel free to post any thoughts, information, or questions you may have about parental engagement in education.

Thanks for stopping by,

alyshia.marli