Taking Risks with Leadership, Learning and Teaching
We all need a little prompting to allow change to enter our lives sometimes…
For your bookshelf: Building Character From the Start
Looking for creative ways to focus on character in your after school, school or home schooling group? Check this resource out:
Building Character From the Start
201 Activities to Foster Creativity, Literacy, and Play in K-3
Here is a brief description of the chapters included:
- Unit One: Finish the Pictures – Opportunities for children to draw and write stories that ‘finish the pictures’ on the page.
- Unit Two: Experiencing Books – 98 books that encourage self-expression, healthy relationships, creativity, and strong character. Each book connects to talking points and activities for further exploration.
- Unit Three: Masterpiece Creations – full of story starters, activities with food, and artistic explorations.
- Unit Four: Play and Move – games that promote literacy, creativity and play.
If you want to take a peek at our other books, click below:
- Great Group Games: 175 Boredom Busting, Zero Prep Team Builders for All Ages
- Ready to Go Service Projects: 140 Ways for Youth Groups to Lend a Hand
Ryan’s Well Foundation – How One Child Changed the World
How One Child Changed the World
In 1999, seven year old Ryan Hreljac’s first well was built in a Ugandan village. Now the Ryan’s Well Foundation has grown into a family of people committed to delivering access to safe water, as an essential way to improve the lives of people in the developing world. We empower citizens of all ages to take action and effect change in the world.
Dr. King on Excellence
“Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Toddlers Aren’t Playing At Child Care – And Here Are Some Reasons Why
I was shocked to see these statistics – we need to change this trend!
Do you make time for creativity?
Did you know that the asset ”creative activities” is the asset that young people least report having? Did you know that creative arts is one of the top sparks that youth report having? We need to make more time for creativity in our lives…
http://www.4kidsormore.com/2012/01/do-you-make-time-for-creativity/
10 Recommended YouTube Edu-tainment Channels
10 Recommended YouTube Edu-tainment Channels
http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/03/10-recommended-youtube-edu-tainment-channels/
(There are some great educational resources on this list!!)
Dr. King on Greatness
“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Emotional Health for Children and Teens
We could all use a little more education around emotional health for children and youth. Here’s a quick, easy-to-read resource that we think you’ll appreciate…
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-a-z/C/children-young-people/
Benefits of Roughhousing: It Makes Kids Brilliant
As a mother of 3 energetic kids, it’s good to know that there are some benefits to roughhousing!!
http://glamalife.com/2012/online-mom-community/benefits-of-roughhousing-physical-play/
Inside Great Group Games for Kids
I read an article once that talked about how wolves teach their young everything they need to know through play. Communication skills, how to work, boundaries – everything is learned by the pack in play. Team Play for human children is no less different in nature. Games provide our young the same opportunities to learn valuable life skills and competencies.
My all-time favorite in this chapter is “Doggie Balloon Frolic”, which is yet another game inspired by what animals can teach us. This time the game evolved from watching my own dogs, Lacy and Summer, at play in our home. In this team relay, members get on all fours and push a balloon with their heads and shoulders across the play area to the finish line. There is lots of laughter, fun and good-natured ribbing that goes along with this one. The debriefing afterwards includes what we can learn from dogs at play and dogs in general including how to play nice and keeping yourself safe from not so nice dogs (er. . . bullies and people who are mean). A fun way to learn and an important reminder from our canine friends to remember the importance of playing each day!
Inside Great Group Games for Kids:
I read an article once that talked about how wolves teach their young everything they need to know through play. Communication skills, how to work, boundaries – everything is learned by the pack in play. Team Play for human children is no less different in nature. Games provide our young the same opportunities to learn valuable life skills and competencies.
My all-time favorite in this chapter is “Doggie Balloon Frolic”, which is yet another game inspired by what animals can teach us. This time the game evolved from watching my own dogs, Lacy and Summer, at play in our home. In this team relay, members get on all fours and push a balloon with their heads and shoulders across the play area to the finish line. There is lots of laughter, fun and good-natured ribbing that goes along with this one. The debriefing afterwards includes what we can learn from dogs at play and dogs in general including how to play nice and keeping yourself safe from not so nice dogs (er. . . bullies and people who are mean). A fun way to learn and an important reminder from our canine friends to remember the importance of playing each day!
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This post is part of our Friday Playday series, where we are sharing ideas and activities related to our 5 “play with purpose” books. Check out the books, where you can find 750+ powerful and easy ways to help children and youth grow in character, service and leadership. We’d also love to come to your school or organization to lead a “play with purpose” workshop – find more details here.
Play with Purpose!
Susan Ragsdale & Ann Saylor (a.k.a. The Games Girls)
Game Developer Gives 7-Year-Old Best Birthday Present Ever
If your kids are interested in technology, you might be able to use this resource:
http://martinkool.com/post/17611582440/game-developer-gives-7yr-old-best-birthday-present-ever
9 Reasons to Let Your Kids Lose
Check out this article that Susan found about lessons learned in losing…
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/9-reasons-let-your-kids-lose/?cid=90.
Dr. King on the Power of Change
“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King on Helping Others
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
