BFPP Early Learner's World
March 2021 ~ Vol. 1
The Power of Play
The seasons bring opportunities to look at the world around us in new ways. As winter begins to fade away, I reflect on how my family likes to play. We like to snowboard, ski, go sledding, work on a puzzle, make a bonfire and play board games together. Now spring is upon us and all around me I smell, feel and hear bits of a new season. The birds are out, the days are longer and there is less mud in my backyard; these are all signs that spring is approaching. Soon I will notice my family spending more time outside playing in the garden, taking the dogs for walks, skateboarding, shooting hoops, or throwing the football in the backyard. If you really think about it, play is everywhere!
There are so many different types of play, that you can break them down into different categories and even then different experts have different lists of play! One early childhood expert, Dr. Stuart Brown, the founder of The National Institute for Play has broken play in to seven categories. Movement Play; figuring out space while jumping and running, Object Play; manipulating objects like puzzles or skipping rocks, Imaginative Play; make believe adventures, Social Play; Hide and Go Seek (organized games), Celebratory and Ritual Play; holiday dinners and birthdays, Story Telling and Narrative Play; help us process why things are the way they are (life lessons), and Creative Play; using the imagination to create new ways of doing things.
So why is play important?
- Kids are natural researchers and learn through their experiences
- Kids are guiding their own interests through play
- Kids explore complex and abstract ideas while playing
- Kids make sense of the world as they play
- Kids are intrinsically motivated to learn through play
- Kids attach new learning to already learned concepts as they play
- Play reduces impulsivity as we mature
- PLAY IS FUN!
Researchers may break play into different groups and even sub groups and there are many different theories on play. However, all of the research I have read about the importance of play circles back to this one simple known truth: play is the foundation for learning. So today, when your kids are playing just think of how their brains are at the optimal state; they are growing, synthesizing information, problem solving and experiencing different emotions simultaneously, all while they are having fun playing!
-Until Next Time,
Sammy Cousens
Literacy Supports
It’s funny how the pendulum swings in education. One decade our schools are all about teaching printing and another decade it’s hit or miss in a school whether a teacher works it into their year. I can’t express enough the importance of learning to form letters as part of a child’s foundational skills. Here is an article about just that!
At BFPP we have curriculum called Handwriting Without Tears to help a child learn letters with simple, guiding language. To help, I have created some videos that incorporate letter formation with letter/sound knowledge. These videos incorporate a kinesthetic and tactile approach to learning that comes from Orton Gillingham.
Start here:
Then add these in any order:
Vowels and Straight-Line Letters
Other ideas for practicing letter formation with letter sound are:
- Write in shaving cream that is spread on an old cookie sheet
- Place hair gel in a Ziploc bag, enough to lay the bag flat and have ¼ in of gel. Double bag it and seal the top with duct tape. Lay flat and use finger or Qtip to practice letter formation.
- Write in salt or flour on an old cookie sheet.
World Language Supports
by Piper Mertle
Question: Are kindergartens required to offer World Languages?
Answer: Yes. Washington schools that receive state funding for full-day kindergarten are required to provide experiences in a world language other than English.
Fact: Young children are great at learning language. Their brains are hard-wired for it. I teach French at BFPP, but I have studied several languages (Spanish, Mandarin Chinese & Russian). I love opening a window to the world that learning a new language offers.
To give you and your learner a little peek at different cultures and lives, here are some videos of people counting their age in four different countries. With your student, choose one video to watch. Listen to and look at the people in that country. What do you notice?
Help you learner count to 100, make a collection of 100 things, take 100 steps or draw 100 of something. Research these countries, find them on a globe or map.
Let me know what else these videos inspire you to do. Enjoy!
Book Recommendations
by Kristy Tice
Dear Families,
Did you know that time spent reading with your child can boost your child’s intelligence? Not only that, but children learn more about themselves, the world, and people different from them while reading. Children also gain focus and concentration through reading. Reading with your child will help your child develop better mastery of language and speech. Snuggling with your child and reading a book will build a bond and wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Reading to your child sends an important message; that reading is FUN!
I know for me, it’s crucial that I enjoy the read aloud myself, so I can be more animated, engaged and entertained as I read! Sometimes you may find yourself in a rut, and may be struggling to find ideas of new and “old favorites” to read with your child! I have compiled a list of some of my very favorite read alouds. I hope you will find this to be helpful!
Warmly,
Teacher Kristy