November 2009

Early Childhood Education and Digital Media: Past, Present, and Future

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:49
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Wow! The NAEYC conference was absolutely fantastic! By the time the closing session took place everyone was exhausted. However, the attendees that heard the presentation by Susan Zelman seemed happy they participated. Each teacher at the closing session was awarded free professional development for the PBS Raising Readers program.

•What problem is Ready to Learn trying to solve?
Mission: Use the power of public service media to help children ages 2-8, especially those from low income families learn to read.

•How has Read to Learn approached the problem?

Evaluating State Funded Early Childhood Initiatives: Implications and Application

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:21
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One of the sessions I attended at the NAEYC conference was presented by Dr. Browning and Dr. Daniel-Echols. Both women did a fantastic job of sharing insight from what they've learned working at the HighScope Educational Research Foundation.

State Funded Initiatives
•Community –based (sometimes have local control)
•Preschool
•Birth – Three
•Birth – Five
•At-Risk Eligibility (Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida Universal, Voluntary Pre-K)
•Universal Access

Funding
•Legislative appropriation
•School funding formulas
•Title 1
•Public-private partnerships

A Peek Inside Preschools in Italy, Germany, and Austria: Global Perspectives on Effective Teaching

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:09
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Dr. Saab, from West Virginia University (WVU), didn’t waste any time initiating the session – which is good because she had a lot of information to share! The graduate program in Early Childhood Education at WVU includes study of international early childhood education programs from Reggio Emilia Preschools [Italy], Montessori Schools [Italy], Forest Kindergartens [Germany & Austria], Head Start Programs [USA], and a wide variety of program models used across the United States and the world.

Italy
•1980 Exhibit “The Hundred Languages of Children”
•1994 Reggio Children and Friends

The Pleasure of Discovery: Science in the Early Childhood Classroom

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:41
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The last time I had an opportunity to attend a session led by Bev Bos was in the early 90s. I was a preschool teacher and our Florida NAEYC chapter sponsored a session. I remember like it was yesterday the excitement I felt being in a room with this amazing woman! The session was on a Saturday and the following day I spent outdoors and at the hardware store gathering items for school the following day. I simply could not wait! Bev is still as inspiring, encouraging, and rejuvenating as I remember!

Insights and Inspirations from Reggio Emilia: Stories of Teachers and Children from North America

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:58
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This session was presented by the amazing educators and editors of Insights and Inspirations from Reggio Emilia: Stories of Teachers and Children from North America. I found it challenging to take notes while Lella Gandini spoke. She has a soft, calming voice and such powerful insights to share. She, and the other presenters, were truly inspirational!

The above mentioned book is organized by the following themes:
1. Child image
2. Teacher image
3. Children and being respectful
4. The hundred languages of children
5. Power of communication

Concept Mapping with Preschoolers: Providing Multiple Ways to Enhance and Record Children’s Developing Skills

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:32
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The session began with Dr. Brennan sharing research on concept mapping with preschoolers. Mr. Bock and Ms. Hwang then described concept maps they’ve done with their students. Throughout the session examples were shown to attendees. Both Mr. Bock and Ms. Hwang suggested using tangible items when working with preschoolers on a concept map (items from nature, pictures from magazines, photos, etc.). They also explained the importance of allowing students to classify items and revisit and revise as often as they like.

Implementing the Reggio Emilia Approach in the Toddler Classroom: Meeting Standards with Project Work

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 14:38
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Kelly Lenihan is a lead teacher at the University of Michigan’s Dearborn campus Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). Mrs. Lenihan’s session focused on a Growing Project that was inspired when she realized that eight of her families were expecting babies and that this was on the minds of many of her students and their families. Through a project-based approach a variety of preschool standards were met.

Mrs. Lenihan described to attendees the ECEC environment:
-Reggio inspired program
-6 Classrooms – each classroom was in a cottage and children could visit rooms/centers as they wished

NAEYC Opening Session

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 13:26
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The minute Greg Scelsa & Steve Millang took the NAEYC stage for the opening general session we were out of our seats and dancing together! These musicians have been educating, motivating, and entertaining folks for 35 years. Mark Ginsburg then welcomed us to Washington, D.C., home of NAEYC. He shared with us www.flu.gov a helpful site that has information about measures we can all take to prevent further spread of the H1N1 virus.

NAEYC Conference Summary

Submitted by Robin Brandenburg on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:34
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Being among preschool educators and having the opportunity to attend NAEYC at our nation’s capitol was an amazing experience! During the opening session we danced and played air guitars alongside Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. In the evenings I found myself trying to map out which sessions to attend the following day -- a challenging task given the variety of interesting topics and large number of sessions from which to choose. Friendships were quickly forged as I found myself sharing, laughing, and crying with other educators.

Michael Bierut's Life as a Font

Submitted by Alissa Jones on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:50
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Last week, I listened to Michael Bierut present “My Life as a Font” at a UMBC/AIGA Baltimore event. He worked his way through the alphabet, showcasing a project for each letter and discussing the typeface used. But what I really enjoyed hearing were all the lessons he seemed to pick up along the way.