Digital Daycare
Thu, Feb 16 2012 12:14
We have started a pilot project in the Infant room that incorporates technology into our communication with parents.
Typically we would write journals daily for the Infants and their parents. Anecdotes of daily happenings with an accompanying photograph from time to time. These took a lot of time and lacked immediacy. They were also a lot to read for the parents.
We offered families the chance to sign up for the Digital Daycare Project and got 100% participation.
We now use an iPod touch to email photos and video along with a brief amount of text during the day as things unfold in the program.
From a simple video of a child mastering new language or a photo of a quiet, cosy moment between a staff and a child, or a photo of an intricate game being played...... we are able to send it on the spot, on the move, in the room as it happens.
The feedback so far is very positive. Staff are enjoying using the technology and are becoming more observant so they can catch those ordinary yet special moments.
Parents report they love getting these visual updates on the children via email during their work day.
We will continue with the project for the next several weeks but we are delighted with the outcome so far.
Typically we would write journals daily for the Infants and their parents. Anecdotes of daily happenings with an accompanying photograph from time to time. These took a lot of time and lacked immediacy. They were also a lot to read for the parents.
We offered families the chance to sign up for the Digital Daycare Project and got 100% participation.
We now use an iPod touch to email photos and video along with a brief amount of text during the day as things unfold in the program.
From a simple video of a child mastering new language or a photo of a quiet, cosy moment between a staff and a child, or a photo of an intricate game being played...... we are able to send it on the spot, on the move, in the room as it happens.
The feedback so far is very positive. Staff are enjoying using the technology and are becoming more observant so they can catch those ordinary yet special moments.
Parents report they love getting these visual updates on the children via email during their work day.
We will continue with the project for the next several weeks but we are delighted with the outcome so far.
Sparking Imagination
Mon, Dec 12 2011 08:55
Sparking Imagination
December 12, 2011
"For a child the world is full of things to touch, to reach, to hold, to explore, and thus discover. If we observe as very young children engage in their explorations, we will see that they let us know precisely what is attracting their interest. Early in their development, infants react in a very personal way to light and sound, to people, and to objects. They learn to concentrate on what they see and then gradually make movements that eventually bring them into contact with the objects in the sphere of their interest and within their reach. We can notice how a child reacts both to afamiliar object and to a new one and over time how personal these reactions are. Observing infants in a good infant/toddler center, where everything has been thoughtfully chosen and arranged with the very children who are there in mind, we see evidence as soon as they begin to move within that space, of children’s inexhaustible passion to explore and experiment with what attracts them."
December 12, 2011
Lay hold of the words your father gives you.
-Maori Proverb
Exchange's popular Out of the Box Training Kit, "Sparking Imagination," is built on two articles, one of which, "Recycled Materials," includes this observation by Lella Gandini from Reggio Children:-Maori Proverb
"For a child the world is full of things to touch, to reach, to hold, to explore, and thus discover. If we observe as very young children engage in their explorations, we will see that they let us know precisely what is attracting their interest. Early in their development, infants react in a very personal way to light and sound, to people, and to objects. They learn to concentrate on what they see and then gradually make movements that eventually bring them into contact with the objects in the sphere of their interest and within their reach. We can notice how a child reacts both to afamiliar object and to a new one and over time how personal these reactions are. Observing infants in a good infant/toddler center, where everything has been thoughtfully chosen and arranged with the very children who are there in mind, we see evidence as soon as they begin to move within that space, of children’s inexhaustible passion to explore and experiment with what attracts them."
A giant in the ECE field passes away
Thu, Nov 24 2011 07:53
Dr. Fraser Mustard, 1927 - 2011
November 24, 2011
In the late 1990s, he co-chaired a seminal report, with former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor, Margaret McCain, for the Government of Ontario on early childhood learning. The report was issued as "The Early Years Study — Reversing the Real Brain Drain". In the introduction to this report, Mustard and McCain observed:
"We examined the evidence from the neurosciences, developmental psychology, social sciences, anthropology, epidemiology, and other disciplines about therelationship among early brain and child development and learning, behaviour, and health throughout all stages of life. We consider, in view of this evidence, that the period of early child development is equal to or, in some cases, greater in importance for the quality of the next generation than the periods children and youth spend in education or post secondary education."
A number of friends of the World Forum Foundation shared their memories of Dr. Mustard...
Sheldon Shaeffer from Thailand: "I was largely ignorant of the importance of early childhood until Fraser (whom I thought then was already an ancient sage!) came to IDRC in Ottawa in the early 1980s, where I was working, and gave such a passionate and convincing presentation that I was hooked for life. He made such a difference to so many."
Alan Pence from Canada: "I saw that Fraser was doing a presentation at the University of Victoria and w ent tothe lecture hall to hear him. His presence and the manner of his presentation were ‘biblical’— the Old Testament prophet coming down off the mountain to share his wisdom. I was captivated, met with him, was later invited to join the CIAR group he was developing, and thoroughly enjoyed the contact and discussions over the years. He will be greatly missed by many.
November 24, 2011
No sooner have you spoken than what you have said becomes the property of another.
-Hindustani Proverb
Dr. Fraser Mustard's impassioned campaign calling attention to the crucial first years of life, and how brain development during that time sets the stage for health and well being, inspired economists, educators, and politicians, both in his home nation of Canada and around the world. Mustard died at home on November 16 after battling cancer. -Hindustani Proverb
In the late 1990s, he co-chaired a seminal report, with former New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor, Margaret McCain, for the Government of Ontario on early childhood learning. The report was issued as "The Early Years Study — Reversing the Real Brain Drain". In the introduction to this report, Mustard and McCain observed:
"We examined the evidence from the neurosciences, developmental psychology, social sciences, anthropology, epidemiology, and other disciplines about therelationship among early brain and child development and learning, behaviour, and health throughout all stages of life. We consider, in view of this evidence, that the period of early child development is equal to or, in some cases, greater in importance for the quality of the next generation than the periods children and youth spend in education or post secondary education."
A number of friends of the World Forum Foundation shared their memories of Dr. Mustard...
Sheldon Shaeffer from Thailand: "I was largely ignorant of the importance of early childhood until Fraser (whom I thought then was already an ancient sage!) came to IDRC in Ottawa in the early 1980s, where I was working, and gave such a passionate and convincing presentation that I was hooked for life. He made such a difference to so many."
Alan Pence from Canada: "I saw that Fraser was doing a presentation at the University of Victoria and w ent tothe lecture hall to hear him. His presence and the manner of his presentation were ‘biblical’— the Old Testament prophet coming down off the mountain to share his wisdom. I was captivated, met with him, was later invited to join the CIAR group he was developing, and thoroughly enjoyed the contact and discussions over the years. He will be greatly missed by many.
Cognitive and Social Capabilities Linked
Mon, Nov 14 2011 08:59
Cognitive and Social Capabilities Linked
November 14, 2011
"The brain is a highly integrated organ and its multiple functions operate in a richly coordinated fashion. Emotional well being and social competence provide a strong foundation for emerging cognitive abilities, and together they are the bricks and mortar that comprise the foundation of human development. Thus, oral language acquisition depends not only on adequate hearing, the ability to differentiate sounds, and the capacity to li nkmeaning to specific words, but also on the ability to concentrate, pay attention, and engage in meaningful social interaction. Furthermore, the emotional health, social skills, and cognitive-linguistic capacities that emerge in the early years are all important prerequisites for success in school and later in the workplace and community. Brain architecture and the immune system also interact as they mature, which influences the domains of development and health."
Reposted from Exchange Everyday
November 14, 2011
It is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it.
-Lillian Hellman
"Cognitive, emotional, and social capabilities are inextricably intertwined throughout the life course." This is one of six core concepts of development outlined in the Center on the Developing Child's excellent publication, The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do. In describing this concept, the publication continues...-Lillian Hellman
"The brain is a highly integrated organ and its multiple functions operate in a richly coordinated fashion. Emotional well being and social competence provide a strong foundation for emerging cognitive abilities, and together they are the bricks and mortar that comprise the foundation of human development. Thus, oral language acquisition depends not only on adequate hearing, the ability to differentiate sounds, and the capacity to li nkmeaning to specific words, but also on the ability to concentrate, pay attention, and engage in meaningful social interaction. Furthermore, the emotional health, social skills, and cognitive-linguistic capacities that emerge in the early years are all important prerequisites for success in school and later in the workplace and community. Brain architecture and the immune system also interact as they mature, which influences the domains of development and health."
Reposted from Exchange Everyday