SMAP - Smart, Mindful, and Active Participants of the Learning Process

https://youtu.be/4ymzIdDMDvM?si=iVVpPzBkYhoYtLuR

indeed, children’s ideas are so poetic and so profound! may we not take that away from them.

Metaphor and metacognition: Alise Shafer Ivey at TEDxSunsetPark Metaphor and Metacognition: the mind when pushed to inventionAlise is the founder and director of Evergreen Community School in Santa Monica, California. He...

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSLDAJExs/

smap.earlyyears on TikTok Mga Felt Marker: Gabay sa Pagkontrol ng Kamay at Pagsasabuhay ng Kaisipan! 🎨✍️ Ang mga felt marker ay karaniwang mas madaling kontrolin ng mga batang bata kumpara sa iba pang kasangkapan sa pagsusulat o pagguhit. Nagbibigay ang mga ito ng malambot at magkasintulad na daloy ng tinta, pinapayag...

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSL6Rn1h3/

smap.earlyyears on TikTok Engage, learn, and create with this interactive spelling tool. Perfect for developing phonemic awareness and fostering a love for language. Durable, and portable, it's ideal for home, school, and on-the-go learning. Let their imagination soar as they arrange letters, form words, and embark on a jour...

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSL6RPH8r/

smap.earlyyears on TikTok Let Your Children Explore and Learn through Hands-On Play with Self-Correcting Wooden Toys! Encouraging Creativity, Problem-Solving, and Fine Motor Skills Development

Unlock your children’s potential and foster their love of learning through exploration and discovery with our quick guide to inquiry-based learning, Reggio inspired.

DM us for collaboration, consultation and professional development. We’re here to co-learn, support, and collaborate✨

Early years education uses a 'framework' instead of a 'curriculum' because it promotes a child-centered approach that encourages play, exploration, and social interaction. This approach supports children's natural curiosity and helps to develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence.

Now that we are going back to “normal”, let children explore! let them roam, play, and use their senses instead of asking them to sit down and listen… they have been sitting down and listening for the past two years (for most online learning). set them free!!

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fphysical-activity-preschoolers-learning%2F&h=AT3k4uyce3Spo1RruuTAIoaOPyefwmUPYsMn1u2dFhAnBM-s5XmNxZRBWK7dGDSwSsMiRy39fRk1kGs_81921JczRz4U7FysMp0HmsFo30nhkOBpueqrtYjvfTY2tUfDJkYD7Sdu&s=1

Preschoolers Literally Can’t Sit Still, So Stop Expecting Them To Anyone who expects preschoolers to sit still all day in school is ignoring an abundance of science that shows physical activity is crucial to learning.

Why provide black markers in your child’s space? Why allow children to use black markers?

Traditionally, children were only allowed or encouraged to write or make their marks using pencils.

In 2013, when I joined a Reggio Emilia inspired school, black markers where more prominent in the environment than pencils. I never asked why nor hesitated to use them in my class because for some reason, the documentation of the children’s drawings and scribbles looked so powerful. They spoke to me! They conveyed meanings on their own.

Over time, I witnessed it’s magic and power. It’s significant influence in children’s thinking and mark-making process.

So, here are a few reasons why we should provide black markers in our children’s space and allow them to use black ink to make their marks:

-It’s ink is prominent. Young children’s (i.e. toddlers) hand grip is still not strong enough to make prominent marks using a pencil. When they use a pencil to scribble, the marks they make look very light that they hardly notice them. whereas, when they use a marker, they can see their marks immediately that would encourage them to draw or scribble more.
-It encourages curiosity. As children make marks on different surfaces, they naturally recognize and observe the physical reaction between the ink and the writing surface. And because they could easily see the marks, it allows them to explore different strokes.
-It brings out the natural ideas and thought process of the children. Giving them crayons and coloured pens would likely bring into the schema of rainbows 🌈 , flowers 💐 and the likes.
-black ink encourages children to investigate dots, lines, and shapes that they could build upon to create their own beautiful and very organic masterpieces.

8 years after, I am still and will always be in awe to see children’s marks in black and white.

They are so beautiful and powerful.

Why provide black markers in your child’s space? Why allow children to use black markers?

Traditionally, children were only allowed or encouraged to write or make their marks using pencils.

In 2013, when I joined a Reggio Emilia inspired school, black markers where more prominent in the environment than pencils. I never asked why nor hesitated to use them in my class because for some reason, the documentation of the children’s drawings and scribbles looked so powerful. They spoke and conveyed meanings on their own.

Over time, I witnessed it’s magic and power. It’s significant influence in children’s thinking and mark-making process.

So, here are a few reasons why we should provide black markers in our children’s space and allow them to use black ink to make their marks:

-It’s ink is prominent. Young children’s (i.e. toddlers) hand grip is still not strong enough to make prominent marks using a pencil. When they use a pencil to scribble, the marks they make look very light that they hardly notice them. whereas, when they use a marker, they can see their marks immediately that would encourage them to draw or scribble more.
-It encourages curiosity. As children make marks on different surfaces, they naturally recognize and observe the physical reaction between the ink and the writing surface. And because they could easily see the marks, it allows them to explore different strokes.
-It brings out the natural ideas and thought process of the children. Giving them crayons and coloured pens would likely bring into the schema of rainbows 🌈 , flowers 💐 and the likes.
-black ink encourages children to investigate dots, lines, and shapes that they could build upon to create their own beautiful and very organic masterpieces.

8 years after, I am still and will always be in awe to see children’s marks in black and white.

They are so beautiful and powerful.

Lately, I have been conducting my meetings and teachers’ Professional Development in my 7 year old niece’s study room. Most of the time she is there doing something else and often she would respond to my questions to the teachers 😂 even though she only hears my side because I wear a headset.

This afternoon, I discussed the importance of literature or reading good stories to language and literacy development of the children and touched on the ‘Four-Pronged Approach’. One of the teachers Oliver Jeffer’s How to Catch a Star and heard the ‘homework’ I gave the teachers at the end of the session - to think of engaging activities inspired by the story that could meet different learning areas e.g. Discovery of the World, Numeracy, Social-Emotional etc. my niece called my attention while I was wrapping up and said she has an idea.

After dinner, she immediately went back to her study room. After about 30mins, she came down and said, “Tita, I have something to show you.” I went up with her and to my surprise, I saw this. She explained to how the activity will be and it’s learning goals 🙈 later on, she tried it out to her sister 🙈🙈🙈.

Should I not conduct PD in her study room anymore with her there around? 😂😂😂😂

Habit Number 2 is up on youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeLfOwRaXQk

7 Habits of Happy Kids: Habit 2- Have A Plan through the story Goob and The Bug Collecting Kit Habit 2: Have a Plan - Begin with an End in MindUp for Discussion1. What do you think of Goob’s plan? 2. What do you think about Goob and Jumper? 3. How d...

https://anchor.fm/smap1/episodes/7-Habits-of-Happy-Kids-Habit-2--Have-A-Plan-through-the-story-Goob-and-The-Bug-Collecting-Kit-ev18ki

7 Habits of Happy Kids: Habit 2- Have A Plan through the story Goob and The Bug Collecting Kit by SMAP Early Years • A podcast on Anchor Habit 2 Discussion: Have a Plan 1. What do you think of Goob’s plan? 2. What do you think about Goob and Jumper? 3. How did Jumper spend his money? How did Goob spend his money? Who spent their money in a better way? 4. What guided Good in spending his money? 5. How was Good able to help jumper in...