Tom watched some Rugby and Aussie Rules Football while in Australia. The experience expanded his idea of what's allowed and what's condoned.  He wonders what kind of messages kids are getting if they're watching these sorts of sports.  

Tom's back from his world travels! He's thinking about context and how we can't just copy an idea as we have to make it work for our particular environment. The group has questions about what he experienced in the context of Australian early childhood...

As his favorite holiday approaches, Ross wants to talk about spooky stuff. Being faced with scary things, from monsters to giant potatoes, is a big part of childhood.  Fear will pass (like all emotions), but what do children do when they have...

As a follow up to the discussion on tension release, Joey invites the group to examine teachers' cycles of tension and release.  Are we taking advantage of the chances for relief that we offer the children? Where are the hidden moments of tension...

Mike wants to talk about documentation. He wonders if there are parallels between learning and performing.  How does social media culture impact what we choose to share? Are we hiding the messy parts and just using it to show off our "good...

Joey invites the group to look at our work with young children through the lens of tension building and tension relieving. Are we planning for and providing opportunities for tension release?        

Rae Pica joins in the discussion this week to talk about her new book, Acting Out! Avoid Behavior Challenges with Active Learning Games and Activities.  The group enjoys a wide ranging conversation that touches on the negative consequences for...

Mike is inspired after listening to an interview with psychologist Barbara Tversky. He's all fired up to talk about how movement and physical experiences in the world create the foundation for children's cognitive abilities. The group is reminded of...

Ross believes that failure is necessary for learning, but he worries that many children (and adults) just stop trying when their efforts are met with failure.  The group wonders who defines failure?  Does the desire to be "the best" make...

Ross leads the group in a freewheeling conversation about a variety of sounds in the classroom--children's non-verbal conversations, sound effects, background noises, shrieks, whines, and excited yelling. What needs do these sounds reflect? How do we...