I was once told that if you have something important to say to a busy person, the first step is to practice getting your main points across in two minutes or less. That way, the theory goes, if you happen to find yourself, say, in an elevator with the President, you won't waste the opportunity stumbling over your words. And if you're really good, the President will then reply, "Tell me more."
Anyway, that was sort of the mission when I traveled to Santa Monica to make a series of 18 short parenting videos for
Kids In The House. And even while I doubt I'll ever find myself alone on an elevator with the President, I found it an excellent exercise to try to talk about big topics in a limited time-frame without it coming out as word salad.
A huge part of this blog is about the whys and wherefores of a play-based curriculum, so I know I can go long on the topic. Embedded below is my attempt at an elevator ride speech on how a play-based curriculum works.
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6 comments:
You are so awesome!! When school starts up again in September I am going to connect my parents to your blog and to these informative videos. Thanks!!
Thank you for posting this video. I'm searching for a preschool for my youngest daughter and found a brilliant preschool with an impressive calendar. It looked good to me (having weekly themes and focuses on a particular book each class day with activities connected to both the theme and book.) Anyhow, I glanced at their philosophy and noticed they label themselves as an academic-based preschool. I thought that was curious because everything looked "playful" in their approach to learning. Now, after listening to your video, I realize why they aren't play based... they are missing the play in preschool. I haven't been to the preschool in person yet, but I'll be scrutinizing their free play schedule, classroom set up and outside equipment very carefully.
One of the things that hooked me right away to your blog were the great pictures you post of kids at play and exploration. I would love to have an outdoor area like you have, at my school. It's so great to connect with others that "get it"....Let the kids PLAY! Too much structure hinders their learning and messy days are good days! Thanks for sharing the link to this great resource. I will be sharing it with my Pre-K families this year and using it myself as a parent of teenage boys!
Paula
Learn + Play = PreK
I love the video Tom! Can't wait to see more of them!
I love your heart.
Tom, you have been and continue to be my biggest inspiration! Thank you for finding the words to eloquently phrase all the thoughts we really want our parents to understand!
Marie
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