by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
While visiting an early childhood centre recently, a small boy dressed as a little dog crawled towards me, panted, and stopped before me for a pat. I patted him on the head and commented on what a quiet, friendly dog he was. He nodded, panted again and his eyes shone.... by Claire | Mar 20, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
Early childhood teachers guide young children’s learning in ways that support their development. Traditionally, foremost in teachers’ minds is what knowledge and skills children should acquire. Today, however, many teachers are becoming aware of the pivotal role of... by Claire | Mar 16, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
When you arrange your shoes, do you line them up symmetrically? When you are passing a lamp post, do you ever swing around it, or want to swing around it? Or perhaps you are a person who has to hang the washing out in your own particular way? These are all... by Claire | Mar 16, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
Baby boomers are probably the last generation to have run wild in the woods and paddocks, freely exploring the nearby creek bed, or building huts and tree houses in the outdoors. Tamariki born after 1980 seldom hear the words “Go and play outside.” With few... by Claire | Mar 16, 2021 | Articles, Nature
Recently in New Zealand, many early childhood settings have taken up the work of connecting children with nature in and around their communities. by Claire | Mar 16, 2021 | Articles, Pedagogy
In the dark of night, on 4 September 2010, a change happened for 4-year-old Max, in Christchurch. Woken violently from sleep, the house thrashing from side to side with deafening sound, like a jet plane roaring outside. How was he to know this was a large earthquake,...