Today I did my math
and science, I toasted bread.
I halved and quartered, I counted, measured,
used my eyes and ears and head.
I added and subtracted on the way,
I used a magnet, blocks and memory tray.
I learned about a rainbow and how to weigh.
So please don't say, "anything in your bag today"?
You see I'm sharing as I play.
I learned to listen and speak clearly when I talk,
to wait my turn, and when inside, to walk.
To put my thoughts into a phrase,
to guide a crayon through a maze.
To find my name and write it down,
to do it with a smile and not a frown.
To put my pasting brush away.
So please don't say, "What, nothing in your bag, today"?
I've learned about a snail and a worm,
remembering how to take my turn.
Helped a friend when he was stuck,
learned that water runs off a duck.
I looked at words from left to right,
agreed to differ, not to fight.
So please don't say, "Did you only play today"?
1. Cute little
children......cute little paycheck.
2. Confidence that you will never, ever forget to count to 10.
3. Attention span.......Do they have one?
4. Shoes that untie themselves.
5. Get to sing your favorite songs; over and over, and over.
6. With all this bending, who needs aerobics?
7. Play, play, play.
8. Classroom art displayed in kitchen "galleries".
9. Small hands......LARGE crayons.
10. You alone make little ones count.
Play Today
You say that you love your
children,
And are concerned that they learn today,
As am I, that's why I'm providing
A variety of kinds of play
You are asking what's the value
Of having your children play?
Your daughter's creating a tower,
She may be a builder someday.
You're asking me the value
Of blocks and sand and clay.
Your children are solving problems,
They will use that skill every day.
You're saying that you don't want your son
To play in that sissy way.
He's learning to cuddle a doll,
He may be a father someday.
You're questioning the interest centers,
They look like useless play.
Your children are making choices,
They'll be on their own someday.
You're worried your children aren't learning
And later they'll have to pay.
They're learning a pattern for learning,
For they'll be learners always.
~NAEYC
Why Hands-on?
I tried to teach my
child with books;
He gave me only puzzled looks.
I tried to teach my child with words;
They passed him by often unheard.
Despairingly, I turned aside;
"How shall I teach this child" I cried?
Into my hand he put the key,
"Come", he said, "Play with me."
A Child's Work
When I'm building in the block
room,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
About balance and shapes.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies.
Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in
paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say "he's just playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me sitting in a chair
"Reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes
for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a
puzzle,
Or some "plaything" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting
foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is just "play."
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a chef someday.
When you see me learning to skip,
hop, run and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at
school today,
And I say, "I played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I'm a child and my work is play.
Toddler Laws
If I like it, it's mine.
If it's in my hand, it's mine.
If I can take it from you, it's mine.
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
If it's mine, it must not ever appear to be yours in any way.
If I'm doing or building something, all of the pieces are mine.
If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
If I saw it first, it's mine.
If you’re playing with something and you put it down,
it automatically becomes mine.
If it's broken, it's yours.
