By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. The concept of play-based learning is not new and the idea of playing in and with nature while getting a lot of attention these days is not a current fad or trend. It has been long suggested that play is the vehicle for learning and there is no better classroom than … Continue reading
We are proud to be working with the York Region Nature Collaborative to support two amazing upcoming events. On April 25th at the beautiful Swan Lake Centre in Richmond Hill a workshop featuring early childhood educators and full day kindergarten teachers incorporating forest school practices will take place, Forest Schools: Enhancing your Outdoor Environment with Forest … Continue reading
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. On January 10th, I had the honour of co-moderating an international #ReggioPLC chat with Suzanne Axelsson, a friend from across the globe. Educators from Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, Turkey across the United States and Canada joined in a fast paced hour of professional collaboration on the topic of listening. A Twitter … Continue reading
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. Technology Rich Inquiry Based recently celebrated its 2nd anniversary and 100,000th view. At this time we would like to thank our followers and readers for sharing in this journey of Reggio inspired teaching and learning. For 2015 we wish only good wishes for you and to commemorate the New Year, here is … Continue reading
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. Play is an experience that includes the ability to bend or invent reality that has a strong internally based motivation. Children use the process of play to discover and learn about their world in many ways. The complex process of play and learning is most beneficial to children when they … Continue reading
Since returning from five days in the forest, which was my introduction to forest and nature school learning, I have been thinking deeply about loose parts, a topic I have written extensively about. The forest is resplendent with natural loose parts. When I was in the forest, my first inclination, as I sat on the … Continue reading
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. All of this is a great forest. Inside the forest is the child. The forest is beautiful, fascinating, green, and full of hopes; there are no paths. Although it isn`t easy, we have to make our own paths, as teachers and children and families, in the forest. Sometimes we find … Continue reading
I have learned many things since starting this blog and co-moderating the live #ReggioPLC Twitter chat. In reflecting back over the last year since the hash tag #ReggioPLC was created I think our decision to frame the topics of last year’s bi-monthly chats around the principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach was very meaningful and … Continue reading
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. I had the amazing good fortune to spend time with Lella Gandini, North American Liaison for the Dissemination of the Reggio Emilia Approach this past spring. Lella visiting Acorn School, Spring, 2014 When I began writing this blog, I “googled” the words, “relationships, laughter, play and Reggio inspired practice” and … Continue reading
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. What is the point of entry for teachers who want to transform their practice, moving away from a theme-based approach to emergent curriculum, which builds on children’s authentic interests. After spending five days in the forest we have come to the realization that the outdoor environment is not just the … Continue reading
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