"If they can get into the habit of getting more active and outdoor play, they will enjoy it and feel the benefit and will want to do more of it and it becomes a habit." — Professor John Reilly Summer is here. School is out. And somewhere right now, a child is running on a [...]
What's Really Behind Monday Behavior Problems in the Classroom Monday behavior problems in the classroom are real — and teachers everywhere feel it. A teacher recently said something to me that stopped me in my tracks: "Mondays are super hard because they spend the weekend with their parents who have no boundaries." My first instinct? [...]
You've seen it. The child who can't sit still long enough to hear even two instructions. The kindergartner who melts down when the schedule shifts. The first grader who grips a crayon like it's the first time she's ever held one. You've probably said it to a colleague, quietly, in the hallway: Something is different [...]
Why Outdoor Play Is Your Child’s Best Learning Tool For parents and teachers who want children to thrive — inside the classroom and out This St. Patrick’s Day, when we talk about “going green,” let’s think beyond shamrocks and parades. Let’s think about the green spaces — backyards, playgrounds, and schoolyards — where children’s brains [...]
Research-backed activities that reduce behavior incidents and boost focus Brain-Science Based Activities That Reduce Behavior and Boost Focus If you're an elementary teacher struggling with student focus, behavior incidents, or that afternoon slump, you're not alone. Movement breaks for elementary students are one of the most powerful—and underused—tools in your classroom management toolkit. After working [...]
Thanksgiving is a very special holiday, often associated with turkey, football (for some of you!), and time spent with loved ones. It can also be an incredibly chaotic day between meal preparation and ensuring children burn all their energy off before sitting at the table. We know that it can be a challenging task [...]
Children were made for outdoor play I don’t know about you, but growing up, my parents had to force us inside. We were “four-season” kids; every day, no matter the weather or temperature, we were outside for as long as possible. In fact, playing with the neighborhood kids on our street was my parents' [...]
Too much screen time? Your kids don’t like sports? Guess what? Kids DO like to run, move, and play, even if they don't like the competition and intensity of sports. How do you know? Open the gate to your local playground, open the door to the classroom at pickup, open your back door, and [...]
Summer break has officially come to an end, and the brand new school year has begun! Preparing classrooms, writing up lesson plans, and meetings galore- all the excitement and overwhelm of welcoming a fresh group of students who eagerly await beginning a new chapter in their lives. While this can be a huge adjustment, [...]
Before my work with Preston Blackburn, I was an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher, working most of my decade-long career with two and three-year-olds. When I explain to other educators, I understand how difficult it can be to manage AND meet the standards required of us, I truly do. However, what if I could [...]
