How Kids Learn III: Play, Creativity, Tinkering, and the Arts

By Sam Piha

Two weeks ago we hosted our third How Kids Learn conference, which drew nearly 300 participants from the California Department of Education (CDE), local funders, and a bevy of afterschool and school day leaders. This conference focused on play, creativity, tinkering, and the arts. It was led by emcee, Lynn Johnson from Glitter & Razz Productions and featured opening remarks by Michael Funk, Director of the After School Division at CDE.  

All were inspired by the words from Dale Dougherty, Founder of the Maker Movement, who encouraged OST providers to offer activities that allow children to learn through taking things apart and build things from their imaginations. Elizabeth Rieke from the Center for Childhood Creativity cited the importance of activities that foster young people's creativity. Nikki Shechtman of SRI International shared the findings of a DOE study on grit and perseverance and talked about how programs can promote these traits. Shirin Vossoughi from the Exploratorium and Stanford  shared examples that highlight the ways educators can leverage the developmental potential of play, integrate students’ cultural and intellectual histories, and expand the meaning and purposes of STEM learning. 

There were other excellent speakers whose presentations will be available on the How Kids Learn YouTube channel in the near future. There were also six hands-on workshops that participants could choose from. Thanks to all of those that contributed to a very successful event and we look forward to our next How Kids Learn conference. 

Think Outside the Classroom

By Sam Piha

Sam Piha

It wasn't long ago when we had to defend afterschool programs if they didn't raise test scores. We were told that "if it doesn't raise the test score, learning didn't happen". Some stood in opposition to this reductionistic thinking while others cowered with fear of losing funding.

Today, the clouds are parting and the pendulum has swung the other way, as educators better appreciate what afterschool and summer programs can do. This is due in part because of the failures of No Child Left Behind and new studies on the importance of social emotional skills, 21st Century learning skills, findings from neuroscience, and many other areas that show that learning is more than a test score. And the willingness to take risks, make mistakes, persevere in the face of a challenge are all important parts of learning. 

The upcoming How Kids Learn conference in October is a celebration of these developments as it focuses on the importance of play, creativity, tinkering, and the arts in children's learning. In the conference, participants can hear from the founder of the Maker Movement, educators and researchers from the Center for Childhood Creativity and the Exploratorium, and new research sponsored by the DOE on the importance of grit, perseverance, and tenacity. The conference will also sponsor breakout groups led by innovative practitioners and allowing participants to experience their techniques in a hands-on way. For more information and to register, click here. 

Moving away from the old API score and a single standardized test score to evaluate schools will be tricky. The California Board of Education and legislators in Sacramento will have to name the multiple measures that will take the place of the API ranking. For a detailed description of what has to be done and who has to do it, see this EdSource briefing here. Meanwhile, it is important that we declare what afterschool can do, hold our positions when pressure returns, and be sure that we have the quality programs that can fulfill the logical promise of afterschool and summer learning experiences. 

How Kids Learn III: Play, Creativity, Tinkering, and the Arts

By Sam Piha

Sam Piha

Recently, there has been an emphasis in schools on literacy and math. Much of this has been at the expense of play, creativity, and the arts. Many schools are trying to re-introduce these things through expanded learning time. Meanwhile, it is important that we recognize that play and creativity are critical to learning, and preserve these in our out-of-school time programs. 

Join us at How Kids Learn III as we hear from leading experts in the fields of neuroscience and the new science of learning on the importance of play and creativity. Learn how the Maker Movement is right for afterschool and learn from those who are using innovative learning strategies in their work with children and adolescents.

The purpose of this conference series is to expose OST stakeholders to cutting-edge thinking and research, and consider the implications for practice in afterschool and summer programming. We are hopeful that the ideas discussed in this conference will affect your thinking about youth programming as well as your personal life and well-being. This conference is intended for youth program leaders, educators, technical assistance providers, funders, and all afterschool stakeholders. Participants will have the opportunity to meet innovative practitioners and Bay Area colleagues.

Details can be found below and at this website: http://www.howkidslearn.org/.

HOW KIDS LEARN III: 

Play, Creativity, Tinkering, 

and the Arts

October 23, 2013, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Mission Bay Conference Center

1675 Owens Street

San Francisco, CA 94158

REGISTER NOW! SPACE IS LIMITED.