#Kinderchat Archive
#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Monday February 15, 2016
Amy here, moderating from The Canada. At my old school, we did a V-Day dance party in gym for grads K-3. LOVED.
Hi . Meg, preschool director, from Chicago. I like the candy sale the day after Valentine’s Day. :o)
Hi from Christine in Millarville! My fave part of V-Day is watching the Ks deliver their mail.Takes 35 minutes!
Kathleen from Edmonton. Fav thing about V-Day: eating chocolate in front of the children while they ask where their share is.
Carrie in PEI Fav thing about VDay?
I have 26 students and it took us an hour this year. 😭😝😟😱
Heidi Mozoki here from snowy Baltimore. I teach KGN.
My class is obviously gifted
And the thing is: they LIKE handing out cards for 78 minutes straight!
Hi ! It's Brittany, checking in from Chicago :) I loved hearing all of the kids' Valentine's stories from the weekend.
Tonight, we are discussing this article, re: importance of physical development in reading readiness: https://t.co/G6CdOmtSZd
GAH! CURSES! CBS just shut down my Grammys live feed!
They do that. They kind of suck really
Katie from NC, Kinder ESL teacher
The parent committee threw a family dance in our play space on Sunday. It was hilarious and adorable.
Wanting resources on how to do MTSS/small intervention groups in Kinder. What does it look like in your classroom? 🤓
Hi, from northern Saskatchewan my favourite thing about Valentine's Day is homemade cards, & this year I got a new grandson too!
I was in a meeting all day Thurs and Fri. I missed my class VDay party!
the best kind of Valentine ever!
Hi Brittany! Waves across the city to a fellow Chicago folk.
What?! A new grandson? CONGRATS!!
I think that's what we call good timing.
That’s what I was thinking!
Hey, Meg! Looking forward to our 50 degrees on Friday to melt all of this snow!
I like the snow. Much better than the sludge from the melting.
We are in our formal chat right now, discussing movement & reading. I'm sure someone will have ideas for you after!
Q1: What was one thing in the article that was new or surprising to you? (Article is here: https://t.co/dwAn8W7SfF )
Hi ! Bethany, kinder teacher in Idaho!
A1: Not new or surprising, but I loved the emphasis on physical dev.//intellectual dev.
A1 I knew that kids developed at diff rates but I didn't know it was connected to their mvmt / that mvmt impacts brain growth
A1 Too early = research says 11 yr olds were less positive about rdg and had lower text comprehension
A1: I absolutely loved this article. Nothing new, but articulated well something I’ve been trying to express to staff for weeks.
A1: If you haven't taken the time to develop the brain physically between hemispheres, intellectual tasks are tougher.
A1: I always think it’s a good reminder about importance of crossing the midline. I don’t think this gets talked about enough.
A1: My K team discusses this topic each week at team meetings.
Tonight, we are discussing this article, re: importance of physical development in reading readiness: https://t.co/F05J18nZdI
You’re right. I’ve even talked to our OT about crossing the midline- she didn’t have much to say.
Add it to the list of stuff we don't learn in University but should.
Hey !! Joining late. Ashlea from SF Bay Area!
A1: Reading readiness factors include a supportive family life that includes play, reading, and conversation
. This particular statement really struck me too. It’s an explosion of truth that needs to get shared all the time.
A1: Surprised to learn that children's positive attitudes toward reading are often higher when they learn to read later.
our OT is big on crossing the midline and heavy work before academics
So true - but had a wonderful OT who taught me so much my first year in K
Kindergarten is the new 1st grade b/c the younger students are, the more they can learn and the faster they can learn.
. Really?! I’m so surprised. OTs are usually on par with the whole midline thing.
I wonder if that is bc reading comes easier at later age? Hard for 5yo to love something that is HARD.
Shows that it isn’t a universal thing, though, right? ...
Did you read the article? It actually says exactly the opposite. Reading earlier is not better or easier.
ALL THE HEAVY WORK. We need more of this. And more climbing.
For too long we have divided physical & mental. More and more we learn they are completely interwoven.
Yes this is so important. Makes it hard when Ss are on electronics all day or parents aren't around for support
yes, that surprised me too
A1: I think it's about meeting Ss where they are. Some ready for it, others need time. The beauty of K is we can give them that!
https://t.co/MZTAm0wDaM
So true! When it comes naturally, it's more comfortable & enjoyable! Definitely thought provoking!
We all need to move. Especially the little ones. https://t.co/TRSyhxC20O
For too long we have divided physical & mental. More and more we learn they are completely interwoven.
: RE: A1: how do you account for students who don't have these supports? Is it the teacher's job to catch kids up?
A1: I don't think it's fair to assume NONE of them are ready- must be mindful of each individual!
Q2 For new/pre-service tchrs: How well informed do you feel re: the literacy skills that come BEFORE letters & sounds?
Q2 for experienced teachers: How has your understanding of pre-reading skills evolved throughout your career?
This OT was unconventional in every way so that's why we clicked
Idk if I can accept that. I believe in following the child. Many are interested in reading sooner.
This is contradictory to what the article says, in my opinion.
Even though schools expect more of students at this age, they need more play and self-directed learning time
funny we’re talking about this. We’ve been talking about the need to educate the whole child intellect/physic/creative/social
agreed! It was such a powerful data point
Hi rizza K physed T from philippines
A1: Many good tips and suggestions I would like to share with parents at Kinder registration
A2 Teacher trained in the 80s, fortunate to have had literacy dev as constructing meaning from the beginning
A2: I've learned SO MUCH about scaffolding activities and pre-printing milestones in general. Went from 0-100 quickly.
I don't disagree. Kids who teach selves to read early do fine over longterm. REQUIRING it is problem.
A5: Each year I realize more & more about the importance of taking the time to provide Ss with a strong foundation!
A2: My mindset has moved from ‘the teacher teaches’ to ‘the teacher facilitates’
A2: The importance of getting to know your Ss's stories, background knowledge, supports they need for their learning needs
A2: Moved from 4th to K this past yr..Learning that pre-rdg skills are foundation! Rdg and wrtg begin w/ sounds and TALK!
Last tweet should have read "pre-reading", not "pre-printing".
A2: Once I learned about a child’s physical/brain dev, my understanding of what literacy looks like beyond letters leaped.
Tonight, we are discussing this article, re: importance of physical development in reading readiness: https://t.co/wd7iB4r4JH
I agree teacher facilitates, my ESL Ss learn academic and social English working with eachother in centers
A2 pre reading skills consists of Ss prior experiences from tapping the sounds of words to actually recognizing them
The article did not seem to advocate for technology, but is there a place for tech to bridge foundational learning with movement
I do think we can't 4get importance of teaching some skills explicitly so Ss can practice transfer!
Exactly. the longer I teach the more I see my importance decrease as peers importance increases
It wasn’t until I was able to study development in depth did I understand that a child develops from outside in.
Yes! Tapping out sounds is so important & so powerful!
Just curious how that impacted your literacy teaching. More play with sounds? More talk?
That they need to grow their big muscles and brains and build synapses all before they do any letter decoding.
I believe pre-reading skills come from experiences, exposure, conversations, and being read to. https://t.co/kp5TO5ylgf
Q2 for experienced teachers: How has your understanding of pre-reading skills evolved throughout your career?
That really learning the symbols that we call letters is really one of the last things kids learn about literacy.
I don’t think they’re exclusive though. I’d say our role is more to facilitate/model,
yes these skills can be introduced, modeled,and used in a think aloud during our whole group time
More talk. More play. More gross motor. More fun. More drawing. More play dough. More sensory.
A2 I'm 4th yr & can't say I am. It is all "get Ss reading" & I'm good @ that. I use S paced mvmt / choice. But before that?
Reading requires a level of neuro-visual-motor integration that cannot be rushed or forced.
That sounds like a workshop model to me, Katie! <3 🙌
Yes! Definitely need to be mindful of their interests & what's developmentally appropriate.
They begin before that even. Begins with play, relationships, sensory experiences. https://t.co/LXLfjVIMns
A2: Moved from 4th to K this past yr..Learning that pre-rdg skills are foundation! Rdg and wrtg begin w/ sounds and TALK!
MORE! https://t.co/YRRKHFjESq
More talk. More play. More gross motor. More fun. More drawing. More play dough. More sensory.
Q3: Given the info in the article, what are your thoughts on "brain breaks" or "movement breaks" for young students?
How about group time all the time? More cooking, building, singing, clapping?
“: More talk. More play. More gross motor. More fun. More drawing. More play dough. More sensory. ”
I teach much more than letters and sounds now-if phonemic awareness is taught in a creative way-kids get it!
A3: Why do we need brain breaks and movement breaks? Why our are kids not moving most of the time?
A3 if we don’t have brain breaks the day becomes painful, even for me. Can’t imagine what it is like for them!
A3 1/2 I don't like the idea that these are some sort of programmy thing tied to brain dev or something
that's difficult when my reviews judge whether my S are quiet, on task in seats. *sigh*
For young learners, if you need to be actively thinking about a brain break or a movement break, you're kinda doing it wrong.
I don’t like them. All learning should be moving. These take away the importance of movement in all. https://t.co/bKCtg7jNjL
Q3: Given the info in the article, what are your thoughts on "brain breaks" or "movement breaks" for young students?
A3 2/2 Let's just move, sing, dance, play, act cos it's needed/fun/creative-not another thing to add to the day
A3 brainbreaks are essential they give the children a chance to relax their brain with all the information they have acquired
Break those rules with intention!Do what's best for your kids. Ur admin will HAVE to see that power!
Being quiet and in seats does not equal being “on task” in my book.
A3 brain breaks are great for crossing the midline & directions but should be in addition to free physical play, not replace it
A3 brain breaks are too structured / academic now. They need more imaginative free play.
A3: Keep Ss whole group activities short, interactive, and engaging. Not as many brain breaks needed
The uke rules. I know 4 chords
A3: Incorporating movement throughout learning & with learning is essential!
That’s all you need! Our class fav is Big Yellow Taxi
But doesn't that suggest that movement is separate from learning? The article says opposite...
Q3, Pt 2: How do products like pedal-desks, wiggle cushions, etc, align with the points made in the article?
Tonight, we are discussing this article, re: importance of physical development in reading readiness: https://t.co/cQCeAsIrnb
If this is the case, Think we need to examine our day and our practices. Learning shouldn’t be painful. https://t.co/RPNQkm4EQd
A3 if we don’t have brain breaks the day becomes painful, even for me. Can’t imagine what it is like for them!
don't get me started. I did and now admin has me on forced behavior plan / clip chart.
And Kathleen wins the tonight. :) https://t.co/kVynpwxe0B
For young learners, if you need to be actively thinking about a brain break or a movement break, you're kinda doing it wrong.
My question is: what are we DOING to little ones that they need BREAKS from it?
A3: My Ss are moving around the room during centers, interacting with peers, sitting on floor or fun chairs, using technology.
I think we "get" this at k, but what does it look like in gr 1? why the push to be a "READER" in gr 1 is oral Lang backbenched?
If it isn’t being backbencher in gr 1 now, it certainly has been in the recent past
Keep fighting! Don't give up yet.
I certainly felt this when I was teaching G1. Parents wanted the fun to stop and "real" school to begin.
A3pt2 those items are being used to justify longer periods of sitting, for some ss with special needs they are a great addition
I also don’t like the term “brain breaks” because movement doesn’t provide rest for brain—no, it engages & stimulates the brain.
A3 Pt 2: Adding some type of accommodation to a lame activity isn't addressing the root of the problem.
Good question-but is it more a question of how are they coming to us?
I can only imagine this topic is so difficult to address in other grades.
I'm not sure I understand your question?
We know there is a great disconnect with policy makers between intellectual and physical dev. We forgot about the whole child
hmmm... What do you mean?
Q4: HOW can we move towards an understanding of movement as learning, rather than movement as a break from learning?
So true! https://t.co/4Su04Wq9IT
I also don’t like the term “brain breaks” because movement doesn’t provide rest for brain—no, it engages & stimulates the brain.
my OT would agree partially but gives specific movements to calm & self regulate the brain too
Can I tell you that I am addressing this to the parents of MY PRESCHOOL and TWO YEAR OLDs?!
eg short attention span, low language .. or a combination of both??
You would think with all of teachers' heads put together we would have enough good activities to go around...
. parents need to be educated
Out with the old... In with the new? Is that too harsh? Not IMO when it comes to KIDS.
But then don't they need MORE movement to compensate for those things? Not less?
Need Ts and Ps to understand DAP & that engagement in real, authentic, age approp activities MEANS learning
& here is where that issue of time comes in for many of us in the US. Not much time 2 collaborate.
A4: WE have to believe it first. Then do it. Every day. Even if (especially if) contradicted. And articulate WHY. Repeat.
A4: Maybe we should use an analogy. Try to make a 3 point shot in basketball without ever trying it but only reading how to.
I have a number of students with very low language -they just can't sit that long before needing a break
A4 we need to evaluate priorities. We aren't teaching to a test. We are teaching children & need to see long- not short term.
But that is what article is saying - movement should be constant and embedded. Not a BREAK from "real" learning.
And if your admin won't do that, you have to!
A4: We need to believe in it & actually do it... Can't just talk about it. Then hopefully others will be open to embracing it!
A4: Movements can serve as a type of "lang" for my ESL Ss.We both can do the same movement to represent an English word/concept.
. Can you set up your learning so they are engaged thru sensory exploration and engagement
agreed-but I'm saying kids are coming to school needing more than ever before
Just a thought, or is school changing and is no longer ready for the children who come to us?
Such a great idea... And so powerful! Why just discuss action words when everyone can do them?
Q5: Last question: share one way you embed/could embed authentic movement-as-learning in your classroom.
definitely agree - we have a new reality in our schools. Brain breaks alone are not gonna do it.
Q5: We’re always singing & dancing. Everything we do revolves around some kind of music and movement
A5 Lots of singing and dancing! Rhymes, rhythm, patterns,and "reading"
I am adapting more than ever before-trying to find any modality that might grab their attention...
A5: We act out the steps of our writing process, phoneme seg. words by clap/slap/stomp, shoulder sweep begging and ending sounds
A5: Kids climbing up slide, playing with play dough/gak/sand, building with blocks…I don’t know, the kids are moving all day.
A5: Two words: DANCE. PARTY.
A5: Singing, chanting, transitions, group activities, clapping/jumping w/ sounds, choice play time every single day...
A5: We create movements and actions to represent our sight words, rhymes and motions for our punctuation marks
It’s the best known/littlest used form of learning imo
And I still love my after all these years!
anxiety is interfering in the learning process and Ts are not trained for this.
We sing with Raffi every morning!
A5 in grade 3 it's not very authentic but it's regular & ss aware of the purpose of dif types of movement, recess 2x day free
Ok, time to start wrapping up. Share your blog or fave blog to read!
we learn with our 5 senses, so why just teach using only 2 (sight, hearing)? Use the whole body, use all 5 senses!
I agree, but what’s causing the anxiety? I suspect that some of it has to do with lack of movement and free play.
A5: Singing, acting out poems, writing letters in air, lifting vowels, write the room... Always moving & learning!
1st thing docs recommend for adult mental health is exercise & fresh air.... makes sense for kids too.
TY for once again re-affirming what I know to be best for Ss. It's hard to stay strong against those that don't/won't get it.
Use the 6th & 7th senses too! Vestibular & Proprioception (balance and sense of where we are in space). https://t.co/KayYyglUo9
we learn with our 5 senses, so why just teach using only 2 (sight, hearing)? Use the whole body, use all 5 senses!
Pray for me as I take my Ks on a full day field trip tomorrow. Ommmmmmm. 🙏🏻
. YES! too much information and not enough kids being kids yes lack of free play and outdoor play.
Have fun! As long as you return to school with all of the kids, you win field trip day.
Next week, leads chat, re: rift btwn public & private school tchrs. Come play!
Thank you for moderating! Great article and great conversation
Thanks for a good chat friends. Have a good night.
Thanks for the chat Hope everyone has a great week!
Dude. I now feel incredibly old! ;-)
Thanks all for a stimulating chat, have a wonderful week. We are easing back to school next week, high school was blessed today
