Screen Time

Since the subject of using screen time has come up in many of the blogs I am sharing another blog I have started which posts a lot of information about using technology with young children. I try to be open minded but tend to post more that lets us know screen time may not be a great idea for young brains and developing bodies. There is reference to blue light, children needing glasses more since they are not developing the eyesight which is built by being outside, but also lists websites so parents and lap read non-fiction books with their children... check it out- lots on there. tech4ec.blogspot.com

Milwaukee Public Schools Play Guidelines

Since many people are concerned about play disappearing in Early Childhood (which  many believe goes through age eight) I am sharing Milwaukee's position statement and guidelines on play. Note it includes 5K!  It is so exciting to see that a district values play! Here is a link to the document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Lub3oN31qsLUplM1dJekNqS00/view?usp=sharing 

WEEK TWO:  SHARING THE VALUE OF PLAY.  This week we will be reading CHAPTER 2, which focuses on being able to share the value of play with families, funders, colleagues, and directors/principals.  Please use this week as an opportunity to consider how you, as an advocate for how young children learn, would respond to questions about the value of play. If you have a short elevator speech ready it will be easier for you to share when someone tries to argue about the value of play.   If you are taking this course for graduate credit, developing a brief speech/discussion/powerpoint about the value of play is one of the options available to you for your final project.

There are several articles that you may find useful in addition to your reading and reflections this week.  These articles can be found in the Play Livebinder: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1717363 or use the link on the right side of this blog.

Alliance for Childhood (2009).  Crisis in the kindergarten:  Why children need to play in school. http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/file/kindergarten_report.pdf

Bartlett, T.  (2011).  The case for play:  How a handful of researchers are trying to save childhood.  http://chronicle.com/article/The-Case-for-Play/126382

There are a few other resources that might be of interest, particularly when explaining the importance of play to others:
Policies and practice:  Sharing the power of play with parents.   http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/policies-practices-sharing-power-play-parents

The value of play:  A fact sheet for families.  http://ncac.acecqa.gov.au/family-resources/factsheets/play.pdf

The power of play in the early learning environment.  http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/07/the-power-of-play-in-the-learning-environment/

NAEYC articles on play:  http://www.naeyc.org/play

Enjoy this week's discussions.