Children Are Natural Scientists -- Building Powerful Early Childhood Experiences

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Learning through play is the hallmark of Millbrook Community Preschool, an innovative preschool program currently celebrating its 16th year in operation. In this discussion, three of the women who founded and led the preschool during the last 16 years share insights into what makes a powerful early childhood education experience. Play, the arts, literacy, and STEM/STEAM are all explored in this conversation with Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, Deborah Coconis, and Maureen Sarma. Grab a cup of tea and join us for a warm and inviting reunion as we consider the state of early childhood education today.

[00:47] Introductions

[06:45] Art in early childhood education (and mini solar systems too)

[07:44] Little Scientists: Building STEM/STEAM connections in preschool. We talk about Jan Brett, art connections, and a year of building hands-on knowledge about habitats and animal classifications. Do YOU know how many bones are in a giraffe's neck? (and a year of habitats and animal classifications). Do you know how many bones are in a giraffe's neck? 

[10:07] Connecting early childhood curriculum to nature and outdoor play to build STEM/STEAM connections and to scaffold and guide discovery

[15:40] SPONSOR AD

[16:49] Designing the environment to support play-based learning  

[19:21] Pivoting -- how the preschool used outdoor education, STEM/STEAM instruction, and play-based learning to thrive and survive during the pandemic 

[25:47] Connections and play-based learning in early childhood education  

[30:28] SPONSOR AD

[32:01] Favorite teachable moments (bells, community, field trips, Arctic and Antarctic centers, and the big flood that gave us a temporary paleontology headquarters)

[37:29] The powerful connections between play-based learning and academic preschool readiness 

[38:34] Favorite picture books -- then and now 

[44:21] The infamous Eric Carle story

[47:47] Hopes and dreams for the future of early childhood education 

It was such a delight to have Maureen and Deborah on today's episode of Adventures in Learning. I felt like I got some soul medicine today, as we talked about what best practices in early childhood education. And I'm just grateful for the many generations of kids who have had the opportunity to experience the love and the nurture that Millbrook Community Preschool has provided. If you want to learn more about the preschool, please reach out to current director Maureen.  You can also check them out on Facebook and

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