Sarah's Family Daycare
Grady Crescent K2H5S1 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Play isn't just fun, it's good for kids. Read more: https://wef.ch/2LsIbFK

To explore is to learn. Read more about childhood development: https://wef.ch/2JEKNPU

Spot on. Thanks to Stuart Shanker.

Here's one perspective as to why helping children navigate conflict is healthy. Often conflict between children is discouraged, but it is the basis of learning social problem solving skills. I expect most of us did not learn the art of civil debate when we were younger, but children provide us plenty of opportunity to learn and practice, now that we are adults.

Amazing list and article from the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada http://childnature.ca/when-you-want-to-say-be-careful/

"The natural ability of children to learn through play may be the best-kept, low-cost secret for addressing the skills agenda with potential to equip both our children and our economies to thrive."

Aah, the essence of positive or developmentally appropriate child guidance summed up succinctly!

The concept of positive parenting has many parents feeling baffled. Theres no strict manual. No if this, then that list of appropriate consequences. Even par...ents who are on board with skipping time outs or grounding scratch their heads and ask, What do I DO instead? From: Nicole Schwarz

Finally, someone looking at the whole story! http://www.macleans.ca//why-canada-needs-to-disrupt-the-c/

http://www.macleans.ca//why-canada-needs-to-disrupt-the-c/

"...weve assumed the way forward is to ensure that more people study for longer. I think that the changing world means that we need to prepare kids in a totally different way. A 5-year-old today will enter a working world in 2030 that is so incomprehensible that we need an existential re-imagination of the very foundation of education."

Need a boost? This is the power of a walk among the trees. Read more: http://wef.ch/2nWtXUR

Another case for free play! Let the kids play unstructured in the playground, with balls, play tag, wrestle and so on. It's how children development the foundational skills required for sports. http://ottawacitizen.com//senators-strength-coach-alarmed-

It's official and so exciting, starting in September 2017 their will be a new alternative school in the west end (focussed on collaboration, creating lifelong learners, ongoing assessment with less emphasis on traditional tests and grades). This school will also incorporate the existing and well-established environmental education program thanks to their direct access to the Mud Lake Conservation Area! It's a fantastic combination! Register now! https://vimeo.com/127159369

Interested in a West End Ottawa School focussed on environmental education? The proposed Regina Alternative School takes Ontario's curriculum into the forest & wetlands by going into the next door conservation lands once/week (from JK up) in a school environment focussing on collaboration, fostering lifelong learners and using onoing assessment with less emphasis on traditional grades and testing? The catchment would cover the west end bringing children in by van from as far as Dunrobin & Stittsville. The trustees are considering this option for final decision next Wednesday. This an opportunity to tell them if you would like this for your child or not or share any other feedback you may have. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Regina-Alt

Safe environment encourages student learning.

Some of last week's learning and adventures in nature exploration, literacy and creative arts at Sarah's Family Daycare! You can read all about it at my blog: http://www.sarahsfamilydaycare.com//44371353-daily-adventu

Parents, it's time to ditch the flashcards and give your kids sticks to play with instead. Read more: http://wef.ch/2fjEGTj

Snow Day! A beautiful day to play outside!

"If children were given ample opportunities to play outdoors every day with peers, there would be no need for specialized exercises or meditation techniques for the youngest of our society. They would simply develop these skills through play. Thats it. Something that doesnt need to cost a lot of money or require much thought. Children just need the time, the space, and the permission to be kids. Let the adult-directed learning experiences come later. Preschool children need to play!"

Discovering spring in a wetland!

http://news.nationalpost.com//no-more-time-outs-and-reward

New editorial about discipline, written by Dr. Neufeld, just posted on our website -- the first in a two-part series where he discusses the root causes of problem behaviour and its surprisingly playful solution.

Interested in being a child care assistant this summer? Check out my webpage for more information! http://www.sarahsfamilydaycare.com/summer-employment

"Helping" make lunch!

Exploring pre-writing skills with block crayons.... http://www.sarahsfamilydaycare.com//43699024-learning-to-w

It's a sad day for the kids in Trend-Arlington who enjoyed the climbing tree in Space Park. City crews discovered it was rotten and a potential hazard, so it was removed this morning.

Child care space available for a child aged 11 months to 4 years, beginning on or after January 25, 2016. Your child will thrive in an emotionally warm and caring home environment and will enjoy kindermusic, nature exploration, outdoor play, creative play and more in a play-based program. Check out my website for more information. www.sarahsfamilydaycare.com