At Preschool of the Arts, a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood program in Madison, Wisconsin, we often speak of the environment as “a third teacher.” We know that parents or guardians are the child’s first teacher and that early childhood educators are often the next teaching adults to make an impact on a young child’s life.
Summer's here! Time to unwind but expand our practice. Please join us for this summer book club- virtual style!
At the end of our parking lot here at Kodo headquarters, there’s a little yellow sign. It reads, ‘Sidewalk Ends’. I drive past it daily and without fail, I smile as I recall a poem, drawing, or song created by Shel Silverstein. One of my favorites is “Invitation”. Invitation by Shel Silverstein If you are […]
Growing up, I spent my summers outside hunting for tadpoles, finding bugs, and riding horses. With my love of nature, my first science experiment involved hatching praying mantises in the middle of winter. Prior to hatching them, I knew a few things about them: The local nursery had several that I could purchase to use […]
When we think of technology, tools, and machines, we often think in terms of computers and electric or gas powered machines. Many tools we use in everyday life are low-tech tools called simple machines. Humans have used simple machines for thousands of years! They allow humans to achieve tasks that would otherwise be impossible with […]
Color as Communication: Lightness and Darkness Winter weather is in full effect here in Colorado. We have days of heavy snow, followed by milder days where the skies are clear, sunny, and blue. Thinking back to teaching Pre-K, it was always interesting how the sun, or the lack of it, could have an impact on […]
The holiday season is palpable in the classroom during this time of year. Joy, excitement, and wonder are felt leading up to winter break as children sense the change in routine. Children are often excited to share the new toys and materials they received as gifts. As educators, it can be a challenge to balance […]
When it comes to product design, Kodo is recognized worldwide as a leader in innovative thinking. Earlier this month we premiered our new Playscape Platforms to an international audience at NAEYC. The response was overwhelmingly positive and many, many educators stopped to ask us how we design and create such wonderful products. We thought everyone would like […]
Funny the moments you recall from days gone by in the classroom. Each winter, with the onset of piped-in holiday music in shops, stores, and local businesses, I am reminded of Mindy, a spritely four-year-old, who loved to sing her way through the day. From arrival to pick-up she filled our class with song, rhythm, […]
We are gearing up for the annual NAEYC conference in Washington, D.C. November 14-16. Be sure to stop by booth #841 so you can explore our hands-on investigative tools and be the first to see our brand new product lines! We are pre-selling our show floor models at a 20% discount! Buyers must pick up their […]
