NOW OPEN: EFC SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS!
by Angie Williams “Even though they don’t realize it, kids need us to make the space for them to be drawn in by the world around them. If we never let them get bored, they never discover how interesting the world really is.” -- Suzanne Bouffard I...
by Angie Williams “We can encourage mathematical exploration and knowing in kids when we allow them to merge with the physical world and immerse their full selves in it.” -- Wendy L. Ostroff, Exchange Magazine You have likely seen the recent headlines regarding learning loss among elementary...
by Angie Williams On Earth Day, EFC’s administrative team had the opportunity to attend a training at Dodge Nature Preschool. The purpose of the training was to explore the ways in which the program at Dodge engages children (no matter what the weather!) in learning through...
by Angie Williams Dr. Carla Gull, an expert on outdoor classrooms and nature play, hosts a podcast called Loose Parts Nature Play (https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/) in which she discusses how loose parts play fosters creativity, curiosity, and fun! With spring upon us and April being the month of...
My late uncle loved to tinker. At his beloved cabin you would most often find him in the garage amongst his tools, trying to figure out (often with success) how to repair any number of broken items: lawn chairs, doorknobs, kitchen utensils, and more. While...
Sundays are cooking days at our house. My husband loves to use the weekend as an excuse to simmer, roast or slow cook. With weeknight mealtimes often feeling a bit chaotic (serious understatement), we both relish the opportunity to slow down a bit. And mostly...
A recent article from Community Playthings entitled, “In Defense of Active Learning” describes how physical movement supports learning in all areas of development. Children are better able to understand new vocabulary words that they can act out through movement. They learn scientific and mathematical concepts...
Creating appropriate limits for children in this consumer-driven, digital age can be a challenge. We've come across a few resources in recent weeks that might help you navigate where to draw boundaries and provide more information from child development experts around these choices. If you...
Are you struggling with how to spend your time at home with your child during these months where it is harder to be outdoors for long periods of time? Here are some questions you might ask yourself as you decide how to spend indoor time...
As we wrote in this month's Especially for Parents article, you don't need fancy materials to create indoor fun at home. Sometimes, though, it does the body and mind good to get out of the house and move your muscles. When the weather isn't cooperating for...