Are Sports all about the Fun... or Winning?

http://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/are-competitive-sports-good-for-children.html

Are competitive sports really healthy for children?  Is it the child or the adult that puts the pressure on to win?  As games are played in and out of the classroom it is important that teachers learn what is good competition and what is a bad loser.  Teachers must also learn how to encourage the best benefits of competition.

Classroom Design Makes a Difference

http://www.childdevelopmentmedia.com/articles/classroom-design.html


When putting your classroom together it is important that we think of how the design works for our students.  This article emphasizes that teachers need to make their classrooms "Landscapes for Learning."  It does take more time and thought, but the end results outweigh the extra work and time in the beginning.

Age and Developmental Stage Appropriate Toys

http://www.godaycare.com/childcarearticles/18



It is so easy to get caught up in that new trend in toys and forget that the particular toy you think is great is not age or developmental stage appropriate for your child.  Toys can be a big help with learning certain concepts in the classroom, if the "right" toy is used.  As educators we need to understand what is appropriate to use in our classrooms in order that we and the students gain the most benefit from that learning experience.

Can a Child Really be Stressed Out?

http://www.godaycare.com/childcarearticles/20


Many children feel the pressures of problems at home, the push to excel no matter the cost, to be like a sibling, of peers and much more.  It is important as educators that we learn the signs of stress in our students so that we can be a part of the solution and not add to their stress.

TV and Kids.... Positive or Negative Effects?

http://www.godaycare.com/childcarearticles/22

As shows on TV become more graphic and violent we must continue to be careful about what children of all ages see and hear.  Cartoons and commercials can be as bad or worse than shows during the evening hours.  It is up to parents to monitor the amount, what and who our children watch.  This article is great in that it talks about TV and children at all developmental stages.  As educators, we need to be aware of what is out there and the effects of TV on children too.