Krystal

What is Waldkindergarten?

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Reposted from Creative Star Learning Co. A guest post by Anita Egle, a Swede who resides in Germany and has run Skogsmulle sessions in Bavaria since 1989. It is a written summary and photos from her presentation about Forest Kindergartens in Germany. So in her words… Forest Kindergarten History “Today there are more than 1000 … Read more

15 ideas to get kids playing outdoors

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Kids are playing more video games than ever before. Whether it’s on a pricey game console or on the computer, kids as young as three years old are playing video games. Sure, some may have educational lessons, but the vast majority are for mere fun and suck away the hours on a summer day. Get your kid outside and moving with these tips to get them away from video games.

Delaying Kindergarten creates smarter kids

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nursery_1958606cFormal schooling should be delayed by at least 12 months because an over-emphasis on the three-Rs at an early age can cause significant long-term damage to bright children, according to a leading academic.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY By , Education Editor DAILY TELEGRAPH

Pupils should not be subjected to full classroom tuition until the age of six to off-set the effects of premature “adultification”, it was claimed.

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Low Tech Learning

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Waldorf students just say no to HTML and PowerPoint to take a hands-on approach to learning.
“Our children may not be the programmers of the future, the testers of the computers,” said parent Monica Prince, “but they will be – I feel like they will be – the CEOs.”
Waldorf’s philosophy is a stark contrast to many other schools that integrate computers and even iPods into learning as early as kindergarten.

So what do education experts think of Waldorf’s low-tech approach?
“The research shows that as long as students are engaged and engaged in inquiry, they’re learning with or without that particular technology,” said Joanna Goode at the University of Oregon School of Education.

Nature in the News

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My ongoing collection of news articles about why going outside is good for us. How forest schools boost children’s immune systems – October 2023https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231031-how-forest-schools-boost-childrens-immune-systems Forest schools increasing in popularity across New Yorkhttps://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2023/08/31/forest-schools-increasing-in-popularity-acrossnew-york Why ‘forest schools’ are gaining popularity as an alternative to public schoolshttps://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/tn-forest-schools/ Behind the bush learning boom: why getting dirty and lighting fires … Read more

The Value of Art in School

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I posted this in a Facebook group to inspire some conversation on the subject. The arts are being threatened with all sorts of cutbacks in my country for some strange reason people put little value on it. They forget that without artists their lives would be far duller. Art inspires, it entertains, it encourages and nourishes the very essence of what is human in us. We are unique because we can experience and appreciate art in all it’s forms.

Throughout ancient and to an extent modern history artists may have been forgotten but their work lives on. In some cases it is our best insight into the inner workings of that society. Periods and timelines are often distinguished by their art. Historically great works of art were reserved for the wealthy however even peasants frequently owned relics (often of a deity) that were crafted by an artisan.

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Playing with purpose

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A trip to the store becomes so much more when you take a little extra time and go at the right time! Go when your child isn’t tired or hungry Talk to your child about what you need and what you are passing. Let them touch the cold milk, the warm deli case, the furry … Read more

Celebrating Solstice

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We celebrate the Winter Solstice in our house. It is a tradition that I find has been a lot of fun and the kids have really gotten into it. The best part is that they’ve learned things by doing it! Ha ha I tricked them. The main things we do are to decorate a ‘winter tree’ and turn out the lights.

During the day of the Winter Solstice I will pop popcorn and fetch some dried cranberries which the kids will then string onto short threads that we can droop over branches of random trees in the yard. In past years we have also done toast with peanut butter and bird seed and various other bird feeder type crafts. The popcorn and cranberries is a pretty constant one though.

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Parameters for Play

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I have in recent years spent a lot of time with a lot of kids. Not a classroom size or anything but more along the lines of large family. For me parenting is about setting kids up to succeed. It is my job to do the setting up and give them the tools they need in order to meet the expectations that have been laid out.

I, as the parent or caregiver, provide structure and a clear set of simple global rules about how they are to behave as well as treat each other and the things around them. Kids are remarkable in their ability to adapt and understand different sets of rules in different places. Children who go back and forth between parents have proven, in case there was any question, just how efficient they are. So long as love is at the forefront of what you are doing with them.

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In Praise of Slowness

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In this TED Talk journalist Carl Honore believes the Western world’s emphasis on speed erodes health, productivity and quality of life. But there’s a backlash brewing, as everyday people start putting the brakes on their all-too-modern lives.

In his book In Praise of Slowness, Carl Honoré dissects our speed-obsessed society and celebrates those who have gotten in touch with their “inner tortoise.”