Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) is a teaching perspective in early childhood education where a teacher nurtures a child’s development (social, emotional, physical, and cognitive) based on the following: The National Association…
Preschool cognitive development overview and techniques
During preschool and kindergarten (2.5 – 6 years old), children are beginning to develop and learn new skills through play. Play encourages all the important areas of development, which include:…
Promoting healthy attachments with children
In the formative years, the way that children form relationships will have a big impact on how they do so in the future. Here’s how to promote healthy attachments.
What do children learn from loose parts play?
What are loose parts? Loose parts are natural objects or materials which provide children with endless opportunities to build on their play. Loose parts offer children: Opportunities to create and…
3 uncommon theories of play you might not know about
In the early childhood education world, there are many theories of play. In this post, we will be exploring three of these theories: Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Developmental…
The importance of friendship in preschool
Preschool is the age when children start to make friends and build relationships with their peers. We know that friendship is important during the early years because this is a…
Why observe children at play?
Educators and parents should observe children at play because it will help you better understand the strengths and needs of each individual child. We unconsciously and consciously observe our surroundings…
Why outdoor play is important to childhood development
Children need to remain active throughout the day. Promoting outdoor play allows them to get fresh air and explore their environment. Hands-on learning, the natural environment and loose parts in…
The importance of math in the early years
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 16, 2018. We have completely revamped and updated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Enjoy! Children use early math skills every day,…
Educator Spotlight | Joyce Gee
Joyce Gee | Toronto, ON HiMama’s goal is to improve learning outcomes for children zero to five. We support early childhood education because the sector is the most challenging teaching…