The Stepping Stones Way

I did a thing! My very first mini-course is ready. If you are an early childhood teacher and you want to know more about play schema - then this course is for you! Or maybe you are an early childhood teacher and you don’t know anything about how play schema can change your teaching - then this course is for you too! This mini-course is just 3 modules long and only $9 so quick and easy for you to fit into your busy teaching schedule! Sign up at the link in the bio. #ece #earlychildhoodeducation #eyfs #playbasedlearning #earlyyearsteacher #earlylearning #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhood #childledlearning #playschema #onlinecourses #minicourse

Myopia is a growing problem in young children! At our latest appointment with the eye doctor, our optician emphasized the need to keep our three boys playing outside as they grow. Lack of outdoor time and too much time looking at small screens has been associated with increased short-sightedness in young children. For the good of our children’s, mental and physical health it is imperative that we continue to build on the movement for outdoor play every day! #outdoorplay #childdevelopment #playbasedlearning #playbasedadvocate #earlyyearseducation #earlyyearsteacher #myopia #eyedevelopment

Real life, real world examples will always be more meaningful and impactful than a representation of the same learning on a worksheet. Which would you prefer? Your child deserves a quality, play-based learning environment in the early years. Don’t settle for less.

Bbbbrrr! It is very cold out there! Make sure you wrap up in multiple layers when going outside! Stay toastie, friends! #playbasedadvocate #playbasedlearning #earlychildhoodeducation #outdoorplay #outdoorplayeveryday

Early childhood teachers, as winter approaches are you getting ready to hibernate as the cold weather hits or are you prepping for outdoor winter adventures? Read about how we prep for winter in our new blog post. Link in bio!

It’s December! We are ready for snow piles, Happy Holidays, and Jack Frost nipping at our noses! ❄️☃️🌨️🎁🎄🪔 #playbasedlearning #outdoorplay #outdoorplayeveryday #childcare #earlychildhood #nurseryschool #iteachpreschool #naturebasedlearning #natureplay #snow #winter

Switching to a play based classroom can seem like a daunting task but it can be easy with just a few small adjustments. 🦄 Watch your children and observe where and when they are naturally drawn to play. 🦄 Look at your schedule and routines to see what can be skipped to make more time for open ended play. 🦄 Step back, be patient, and wait to see how the children adapt to the new routine. Continue this cycle of observing and adapting as the children show you what they need. Play is the way! #playbasedadvocate #playbasedlearning #play #playbasedclassroom

Early childhood educators STOP THE MADNESS!! 😂 Step away from the glitter and pre-cut crafts.💤 I know, I know, it’s a busy time of year and the grown-ups want something festive to take home. But there is a better way… 🍁put out natural materials such as leaves and twigs for children to create their own holiday creations 🍁create a crafting station with feathers, Pom poms, paper and paint in fall colors and let the children go at it! 🍁make turkeys out of salt dough or air dry clay - just don’t be tempted to push their hands into the dough! Turkey hand prints are fine but it must be the children taking the lead. ❤️ Trust me, the art they create to take home will be so much more memorable and meaningful to their families if it is an original piece of work!🎉 This week’s newsletter will be all about how to celebrate the holidays in a child-led and meaningful way. Sign up at the link in bio! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

Autumn in the city brings pumpkins and leaves, sunny day play, rainy day play and muddy play! It’s our favorite season for rich, sensory outdoor play! What do you love most about Autumn?

How do we run a nature based nursery school in the middle of Chicago? By knowing where the good playgrounds are!! Nature is everywhere if you look for it! 👀 🍃 #ece #eyfs #earlychildhoodeducation #playbasedlearning #earlyyearsteacher #earlylearning #earlychildhoodeducator #childledlearning #earlychildhood #earlyyearseducation #nature #citykids #kidsinnature

This is not a stick! What are some of your favorite ways to use sticks in child’s play? ✔️ as musical instruments ✔️ as magic wands ✔️ as cooking utensils ✔️ to build a den What would you add to this list? #ece #eyfs #earlychildhoodeducation #playbasedlearning #earlyyearsteacher #earlylearning #earlychildhoodeducator #childledlearning #earlychildhood #thisisnotastick

One of my favorite things in our old home daycare playground was the rain barrel. It gave the children independent access to water play whenever they wanted it and because it was collected water, I felt less precious about how much water was used! #ece #eyfs #earlychildhoodeducation #playbasedlearning #earlyyearsteacher #earlylearning #earlychildhoodeducator #childledlearning #earlychildhood #earlyyearseducation #outdoorplay