The Path To Learning Podcast

Can a 19th century children's toy inform modern dance? Lincoln Jones, co-founder/artistic director of the American Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles (and host of The Outsiders podcast), describes how he uses Froebel® blocks to boost his understanding of design.

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Renowned Brazilian artist/photographer Vik Muniz discusses Froebel, creativity, and the Escola Vidigal school he established in Rio. Vik shares his experiences growing up in São Paulo and how creativity is not often nurtured in children.

What skills should our children learn to succeed in the 21st century? Industrial designer Ilana Ben-Ari shares how she approached the problem through design thinking and why she developed the Empathy Toy and Failure Toy for her company TwentyOneToys.com. For more information visit www.pathtolearning.us and to support this podcast visit: www.patreon.com/pathtolearning/.

Are we seeing the problem from all sides? We hear often from parents and teachers, and from nonprofit reformers. Today we discuss the view of education at an administrative level.

Jonathan Tobar is Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Learning at Livingston Educational Service Agency. With nearly 20 years of experience in the classroom and district offices, his vantage point provides a unique perspective on the problems facing education today.

To learn more about Michigan's statewide network: https://www.gomaisa.org/ Support us: www.patreon.com/pathtolearning/ or www.pathtolearning.us

As a result of the Pandemic, many parents find themselves playing the "Teacher" role in their homes in some form or another. Without being trained as teachers, how can we make the most of this moment with our children and foster wonder in their learning?

In this episode Lynell Miller, a photographer based in Grand Rapids found herself searching for answers to these questions. Her inspirational story is one that we can all relate to, and be inspired by as we search for ways to foster child-centered learning at home.

Follow Lynell's Instagram journey here: https://www.instagram.com/lizzie_photo/

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Play is a powerful way to learn ... so why is it disappearing from children's lives? Our guest, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, professor emerita of early childhood education at Lesley University (where she trained teachers for 30+ years), shares her insights. As a vocal advocate for children's right to play (and co-founder of Defending the Early Years (http://dey.org), Nancy is a prolific author of many book/articles on media violence, conflict resolution, and peaceable classrooms/schools. Her most recent book is Taking Back Childhood: A Proven Roadmap for Raising Confident, Creative, Compassionate Kids.

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Is it possible to have a child-centered approach in any classroom? Julie Bennett describes how she's done this throughout her career and the importance of a child-centered approach for every educational endeavor.

Julie Bennett, M.Ed has taught for over 30 years in both private and public schools, teaching a range of ages from early childhood to adult continuing ed. Introduced to Froebel's method in 2002, Julie recognized the practices she intuitively gravitated toward. She's a frequent presenter at Froebel USA events and lectures on Froebel methods to university education students.

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How can we stop shielding kids from nature and help them explore it safely? Nature-based educator/author/consultant Rachel Larimore, of Samara Early Learning, explains how to better manage beneficial risky play.

As a founder of Chippewa Nature Center Preschool in Midland, Michigan, Rachel has years of experience working with parents, teachers and children in a nature-based setting. She's also just released an online video course on risky play, complete with helpful forms and worksheets that schools can immediately put to use.

Check out Rachel's books: "Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool" and "Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning."

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Why is the Reggio Approach So Popular?

Jennifer Azzariti, an artist, studio teacher and atelierista, began her career at the Model Early Learning Center (MELC) in Washington, DC … a landmark school in the history of the Reggio Approach in the U.S. She's worked closely with Amelia Gambetti and Lella Gandini, and is the founder of the DC Area Reggio Study Group.]

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Does anyone really​ know what Froebel​ intended his Kindergarten to be? How much of that survives today, who changed it ... and why? Helge Wasmuth, Associate Professor in the Department of Childhood Education​ at Mercy College, researched these questions and joins us to discuss.

Check out Helge's Book: "Fröbel's Pedagogy of Kindergarten and Play" https://amzn.to/30EtsSW

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Support us at: http://patreon.com/pathtolearning/