Call to Action
Is Your Preschooler Playing Enough at School?
by Rae Pica
March 4, 2009
There are so many choices in preschools today, it's no wonder that parents are overwhelmed when making decisions about where to send their children.
In brief, the preschool you choose should be one that respects children’s intellectual, social/emotional, and physical needs. This describes a traditional, play-based preschool, as opposed to the academic-oriented education being touted – and sought after – in today’s superkid climate. So, when you visit ...
Read More
Rae Pica is a children’s physical activity specialist and the author of A Running Start: How Play, Physical Activity, and Free Time Create a Successful Child (Da Capo Press, 2006) and Great Games for Young Children (Gryphon House, 2006). She has shared her expertise with such clients as the Sesame Street Research Department, the Centers for Disease Control, Gymboree Play & Music, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. She is also co-creator and host of "Body, Mind and Child," a radio program in which she interviews experts in the fields of early childhood education, child development, the neurosciences, and more. Listen at www.bodymindandchild.com.
Column Archive
-
Fingerplay Fun
by Rae Pica
July 9, 2008, 12:00 amFingerplays are a wonderful tool for promoting literacy skills. They encourage children to speak or sing words out loud, familiarize them with rhythm and rhyme, and adding actions to words makes the words even more relevant. Besides, they're fun! Read More
-
Being Butterflies
by Rae Pica
July 2, 2008, 12:00 amYou can help your child understand and appreciate these beautiful insects by asking him to pretend to be one of them! Active learning will make this science lesson come alive for your child. Read More
-
Foster Creative Problem-Solving
by Rae Pica
June 25, 2008, 12:00 amTo help promote creative thinking in your child, when you're doing chores or going for a walk or a drive together, make a game of trying to think of all the things that are round, for instance. Or in what ways are a cat and dog alike? Read More
-
I Spy
by Rae Pica
June 18, 2008, 12:00 amWhen my brothers and I were kids, we used to play I Spy in the car when the family was heading to Nana's house or somewhere else that took longer than a few minutes to reach. Read More
-
Red Rover
by Rae Pica
June 11, 2008, 12:00 amFrom a whole-child perspective, there are a number of problems with the traditional version of Red Rover. Children who are thought to be the weakest are called upon first. Similarly, they look to break through what they believe to be the weakest link in the opposing team. And, of course, children get hurt. Read More
-
Rhythm and Rhyme
June 4, 2008, 12:00 am
You may find it surprising to learn that rhythm is an essential part of the language arts and emergent literacy. So rhythmic activities in general promote literacy. But you can also perform rhythmic activities with your child that are specifically related to language. Read More
-
"Strength Training" for Young Children
May 28, 2008, 12:00 am
This week I want to focus on muscular strength because there seems to be so much confusion surrounding it. Read More
-
Time for Tag!
May 21, 2008, 12:00 am
We're all aware that children spend far too much of their time indoors these days. But I never stop hoping that will change. Among my reasons is the fact that being outside greatly contributes to children's health. Read More
-
Soda-Bottle Bowling
May 14, 2008, 12:00 am
Typically, when parents want their children to become comfortable with ball-handling skills, they go out into the backyard and play a game of catch. But here's some information about children's visual skills to keep in mind before expecting that exercise to be successful. Read More
-
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
May 7, 2008, 12:00 am
When children are learning to write they have to be able to physically replicate what their eyes are seeing. You can help promote this skill in your child by playing imitative games. Read More
‹ previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 next ›
