Pre-K Spot Talks

Pre-K Spot Talks: Season 7, Episode 2 - Let's Talk: Play, Libraries, and Books with Jenn Hawkes

Join us in this enlightening episode of Pre-K Spot Talks as host Melissa welcomes Jenn Hawks, an educator and librarian passionate about intertwining the magic of books with the joy of play. With over two decades in early childhood education, Jen shares her journey from teacher to librarian and the significance of play in fostering meaningful learning experiences.

Episode Highlights:

Meet Jenn: 

Discover Jenn’s inspiring path from pursuing a degree in psychology at Columbia University to becoming the K2 librarian in her community. With a wealth of experience as a teacher and UPK administrator, Jen offers invaluable insights into adapting to new roles in education.

Play as a Learning Tool: 

Jenn recounts a transformative interaction with a concerned parent about the value of play in the classroom. Learn how her approach emphasizes genuine learning that flourishes through play, challenging conventional beliefs surrounding worksheets and formal assessments.

Revamping the Library Experience:

Explore how Jenn intends to transform the library into a vibrant learning hub where reading meets interactive play. She shares creative ideas for nurturing engagement through sensory activities and collaborative games tailored to diverse learning needs.

Key Takeaways for Educators and Parents:

- Understand that play is an essential component of education, enhancing problem-solving skills and creativity.  

- Foster a love for books by incorporating play-inspired literature that encourages exploration and emotional learning. Recommended titles include Heather Shoemaker’s thought-provoking works and other classics that spark imagination.  

- Recognize the importance of adapting lesson plans to meet children's emotional and cognitive needs, creating a flexible and joyous learning environment.

Advocating for Library Resources:

Jenn discusses the disparities in library support across educational districts and underscores the role of dedicated librarians in providing equitable access to literature. This conversation highlights the need for advocacy to ensure all children benefit from quality educational resources.

In Closing:

Join us as we delve deeper into Jenn's insights and her innovative approaches to early childhood education. Together, we can foster environments where children thrive, learn joyfully, and express themselves creatively. 

Action Steps:

- Engage with Play: Encourage your children to indulge in various forms of play that stimulate curiosity and creativity. Consider materials that promote open-ended exploration.

- Explore Literature: Introduce books that inspire discussions about identity, acceptance, and emotional growth in your child’s library.

- Advocate for Access: Support initiatives that aim to enhance library resources in your local schools to ensure every child has access to the joy of reading.

Tune in for an episode filled with actionable insights and expert perspectives that will inspire you to embrace play as an integral part of early childhood education! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and join the conversation on social media!

Episode Summary:

Welcome back to Pre-K Spot Talks! In our first episode of Season Seven, host Melissa is joined by early childhood experts Samuel Broaden and Kisa Marx as they delve into a deeply relevant topic: weapon play in early childhood education. This engaging discussion goes beyond mere policies and digs into how we, as educators, can approach this play with curiosity rather than fear, ultimately supporting children's emotional development and learning.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Weapon Play: Samuel and Kisa illuminate how weapon play can serve as a vehicle for children's emotional expression and social navigation. Listening to the motivations behind this play fosters empathetic dialogue and learning opportunities.

Creating Safe Spaces: Reflecting on their experiences, both guests emphasize the importance of creating educational environments where children feel emotionally safe to discuss their fears and experiences, especially when touched by violence.

Play-Promoting Policies: The conversation highlights the need for educators to shift away from restrictive policies toward more inclusive practices that honor children's innate impulses to explore complex themes through play.

Empowering Educators: Through community and sharing experiences, educators can overcome feelings of isolation and feel empowered to innovate their approaches, fostering a child-led classroom dynamic.

Community Connection: Samuel and Kisa stress the importance of building supportive relationships between educators and families, enabling a collaborative effort in nurturing children’s emotional well-being.

Actionable Steps:

1. Engage in Open Dialogue: Create opportunities for children to express their feelings about weapon play and related themes, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for discussing complex emotions.

2. Professional Development: Encourage your professional growth by attending workshops focused on inclusive practices in early childhood education to feel equipped to handle sensitive topics.

3. Build Community: Connect with fellow educators to share experiences and strategies around weapon play and other topics. Collaborating can reduce feelings of isolation and build a supportive network.

4. Reflect on Policies: Evaluate your current approach to weapon play and consider how you might shift toward a more understanding and inclusive strategy that respects children’s learning processes.

5. Utilize Resources: Explore books, like Samuel and Kisa's, and literature that discuss the nuances of play to gain deeper insights into navigating these discussions effectively.

Thank you for tuning in to Pre-K Spot Talks! Embrace the power of play and reflection to transform your teaching practices. Until next time—play on!

Could integrating more play into your child's learning routine transform their development? On this episode of Pre-K Spot Talks, hosted by Melissa May, we unpack the fundamental distinctions between free play, play-based learning, and playful learning, and how each contributes uniquely to early childhood education. Melissa starts by highlighting the significance of free play—its unstructured, self-directed nature, and its role in fostering creativity, problem-solving, and crucial social skills. Drawing on the work of Dr. Peter Gray, she illustrates with real-life examples how children engaging in imaginative activities can navigate social dynamics and process their experiences in a safe, enriching environment.

As modern challenges like busy family schedules and increased screen time lead to a decline in free play, Melissa emphasizes its irreplaceable value compared to traditional worksheet-based learning. She transitions into the realm of play-based learning, where educator-designed activities with specific learning objectives guide children's exploration. By examining how free play and play-based learning can coexist, Melissa offers practical insights for educators to facilitate an engaging, efficient balance without over-managing playtime.

The episode culminates with a nuanced look at the various levels of playfulness in education, from playful learning to free play, and the pivotal role of teachers in each approach. Melissa advocates for integrating more child-led free play in educational settings and explores the mindful use of technology to complement traditional play. She concludes with a call to action for educators to reflect on their teaching practices and embrace playful teaching strategies, inviting listeners to join her for a private podcast offering deeper guidance. Don't miss out—sign up for our email list for updates and valuable resources!

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What if your classroom could feel like a second home for your students and their families? Join me in this bonus episode of Pre-K Spot Talks as we explore the essential elements for a successful school year: building strong relationships with both children and their parents. Discover practical tips for creating a welcoming environment, from cozy reading corners to involving kids in decorating their space. Plus, I share engaging icebreaker activities that will make your students feel comfortable and valued from day one. 

Open communication with parents is a game-changer, and I’ll show you how to master it. Learn effective strategies for setting clear expectations, organizing family visits, and even integrating parents' passions and cultural celebrations into your curriculum. Handling late-night emails, scheduling parent-teacher conferences, and maintaining transparency through progress reports are all covered, ensuring you create a collaborative and supportive partnership with parents. 

As we conclude this enriching episode, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Pre-K Spot community. Your feedback is crucial, and I encourage you to share your suggestions, questions, and topics you’d like to hear about through the form in the show notes. Together, we'll continue to build a positive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment. So, grab your notebook and coffee, and let's embark on a journey to build meaningful relationships that will set the stage for a fantastic school year.

Know a friend who loves early childhood? Share this podcast.

Unlock the secret to fostering young minds through the magic of play with Zeba from Kindergarten Cafe, our esteemed guest for the season premiere of Pre-K Spot Talks. Together, we tackle the question: how do we champion the cause of play against the tide of an increasingly academic-driven curriculum? Zeba, with her wealth of experience from Massachusetts, illuminates the transformative role of play in early education and shares her strategic battle to embed play at the heart of learning. She offers insights on collaborating with educational leaders and using compelling research to advocate for play-based learning within her community. Her dedication shines through as she provides actionable tips for educators to persevere in prioritizing play, even when systemic changes lag.

In this eye-opening discussion, we also dissect the critical difference between play and playful learning, revealing the unparalleled impact genuine play has on developing literacy and social competencies. I reveal tactics for making the benefits of play visible—think creative bulletin boards that track developmental milestones—amidst the pressures of strict school schedules and administrative expectations. Then, we shift gears to discuss how cultivating social and emotional skills in preschoolers sets the foundation for academic success in kindergarten and beyond. By the end of our conversation, it's clear that teaching children how to navigate social interactions and school routines is paramount. For teachers, administrators, and advocates alike, this episode is your invitation to join us in advocating for a playful and enriching start to every child’s educational journey.

Find more from Zeba here: