Feelings

There are so many feeling words that one can use with children and others in your daily journey. Today I had the JOY of training an experienced group of folks in Florida! We talked about our selves as emotional beings! This means using words to express what we are feeling in given situations. There are so many options!

What feeling words do you use most in the playroom?

Debbie

djohnson@childrensinstitute.net
www.childrensinstitute.net

Whirly Gig Creativity

I just returned this evening from the local bookstore. I wandered and wandered, losing myself for a couple of hours in all the choices. I didn't really have a set idea of what I wanted, I just explored and enjoyed all the possibilities. Eventually, I ended up in the kids section, which is always a favorite spot ... especially if I am not in a hurry. You see, I really like the "pop up books." If you are lucky, there are one or two that no longer have the plastic wrap around them ... a wonderful invitational surprise awaiting with each turn of the page. Unexpected whirly gig paper creations emerge. Intricate, delicate, and marvelous designs that wait patiently for someone to discover them.

That's similar to what we give the children in Primary Project. Each child has intricate gifts, surprises, and whirly gig creatively hiding inside them. For some children, showing this side is difficult, especially in a new classroom with a new teacher and new peers. By taking time to build a relationship, based on the expressive nature of play, we help children to feel comfortable opening up, allowing their unique, special, and creative sides to unfold. How wonderful!

Mary Anne

http://www.primaryproject.blogspot.com/
http://www.childrensinstitute.net

A New School Year

Welcome to the 21st century and the opportunity to share with one another about Primary Project! While we tried to establish a blog last year, things didn't work out as well as we had hoped. So we will try it again.

First, let me introduce you to the two primary bloggers:
Debbie Johnson (aka Deb Johnson as known in New York and Deborah Johnson as known in California). Those that knew me between birth and 25 years all called me Debbie ... so I often revert back to that which stuck in the deep recesses of my mind.

my partner in blogging is

Mary Anne Peabody. (aka Mary Anne in most areas of the world and MAP as known at Children's Institute). Mary Anne sees play as vital to understanding the world of young children and thinks it is serendipitous that she found Primary Project, or was it Primary Project found her? Hmmm....

We will be the ones who will muse with you regarding Primary Project and the wonderful things happening for children around the world. We hope that you too will touch base with us, ask questions, and respond to what we write.

If you want to write us directly ...
djohnson@childrensinstitute.net or
mpeabody@childrensinstitute.net

More to come!