Hidden Treasure: A Metal Playground

Many years ago I attended a conference where Lisa Murphy of Ooey Gooey Inc, was the keynote speaker. I enjoyed her keynote so much that I ditched the rest of my planned sessions for the day and attended only her sessions instead. 

One of the things she talked about was the old metal playgrounds and all the childhood experiences that are being taken away, because of adult concern for liability.  She often posts photos on her FB page about "spicy slides" she discovers in her travels. 

I don't usually share photos from my personal time, but this weekend on a mini-vacation to Campobello Island, New Brunswick, my family and I discovered one of these old playgrounds. 

We had so much fun. 

"When we strive to remove all risk from childhood we also remove the foundations of a rational adulthood, and we eliminate the very experiences that will help kids grow up to be the empowered, creative, brave problem-solvers that they can and must be. 

-Gever Tulley. Beware Dangerism!

Full sun: SO hot and spicy! Didn't stop them and nobody got hurt. 

For extra risk... the swinging metal ladder. :)

The evolution of playground equipment has been to this ever safer, less challenging, less interesting assemblies of equipment.

Gever Tulley

My kids love finding these on playgrounds. 

The Giant Metal Seesaw

Giant metal rocking horse, which was great for cooperation and teamwork. 

The shorter wider, Toddler slide?

Even if it isn't risky, my kids will find a way to make it so.

"Real protection means teaching children to manage risks on their own, not shielding them from every hazard."

 -Wendy Mogel (The Blessing of a Skinned Knee)

International Mud Day 2014

Wasting time on Facebook...?

Three years ago I started a group on Facebook. I had no idea what I was doing. I had never even been part of a Facebook Group. I invited local preschool teachers that I had connections with and also invited several of my favorite bloggers. Can't hurt to ask right? Before I knew it the group had grown and I was communicating with a couple hundred teachers both locally and worldwide. There were parts of our daily interactions with children that seemed universal, but each program also had its own uniqueness and differences. 

We had many ideas to share and many hot topics to debate. Through social networking I have gained more knowledge and inspiration than through any class or training I have attended.

Last November I was fortunate to be able to attend the NAEYC Conference in DC.  A conference that hosts over 10,000 early childhood teachers. At the conference I met up with several of the group members face to face. It was so refreshing to attend conference sessions together and be able to reflect afterwards.  

I was able to leave the conference for a short trip on the metro to visit another teacher that I had connected with through the group. My short visit with Lesley at Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School, made me realize how much I have gained through my connections on social media. Although I had already gained a lot from our interactions online and following her blog, seeing it in action was enlightening and inspiring. I am very thankful for that opportunity.

Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School

Another great discovery through these connections was Fafu. Many of you have seen our bright colored and open ended dress up clothes. I was first introduced to Fafu from following the blogs of both Lesley and also Kierna from Learning for Life.  The moment I saw the photos of children wearing Fafu, I knew that they would fit perfectly in my program. My darling husband surprised me with an order last fall. 

Through Facebook and connecting with "The Fafunians," I am so honored to share that I have been invited to join the 2014 Play Iceland. 

I am very excited for this opportunity to meet both Hulda and Tom in person, as well as the other educators and child advocates who are participating, including Suzanne of Interaction Imagination. 

We will be visiting several different Icelandic Playschools and hosting an event for the local teachers at the end of the trip to share our own experiences.

I have always said that when I "retire" I wanted to travel and visit preschools around the world.  I guess I won't wait. :)

Frog Camp

This week was our first week of "summer camp." During the summer we have shorter week long themes.. If you follow this blog at all, then you know I will remind you of how much learning is still taking place within the children's play.  

Most of the conversation and focus of the week was the Frog Life Cycle and also the difference between Real Frogs and Character Frogs. 

"Froggy's Baby Sister," by Jonathan London : The kids got quite a laugh about a mommy frog with a baby in her belly.

Green Playdough and Googly Eyes. 

Frog Pond Sensory Table

 Painting with Shades of Green and Brown

Nature Walk: Listening for the Frogs

A-Maze-ing Maps.

I introduced an old street map to the dress up area the other day. After noticing how much the kids were studying it I suggested that they spread it out on the table to see it a little better.

I grabbed some markers and circled a landmark at the bottom and also at the top of the map. One interested child then traced along the roads, like a maze, to create a path from start to finish. 

 After the introduction they started circling their own start and finish locations.  I suggested using a different color marker each time to help prevent confusion. 

They experimented with both long and short trips. They also realized the blue lines were rivers and avoided traveling on those.

It wasn't long before they started asking what different lines and colors and symbols meant. 

Of course some friends prefer "the road less traveled."