GREDC

Our Image of Childhood

The GREDC Blog

Judah’s Bridge

Tom Dodd

For several weeks Judah had been adamant that he wanted to design a rope bridge for the playground. He showed us where it should go and discussed materials that should be used. We spoke about how we could promote the idea to everyone else and then decided to build a model. He found the materials in the back room and we started putting it together.

Judah constructs his prototype

He began by stapling string to the wood but when the staples wouldn’t go in properly he suggested using hot glue. He counted out each plank of wood until he reached a predetermined amount and then tested it out between two chairs!

Judah tests his prototype

Weeks later Judah drew up a “blueprint” for the full size bridge and brought his plans to the GREDC Director to sell his idea. He selected the materials he wanted to use and was able to convince them to let him begin building in the playground.

Judah draws the blueprint.

He also requested that we record a video of him explaining it all so I could post it “on the news”. Fortunately, our local news team agreed.

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Lauren Huyck

Mentor Teacher

B.S in psychology and writing
A.A. in early childhood education
Teaching since 2010

My name is Lauren Huyck and I am the afternoon lead for the Scoperta classroom. I started as a teaching assistant when the center was still part of Aquinas in 2010. When we became the GREDC in 2012, I stayed on. In 2014, I was excited to accept the role of lead teacher.

I have a Bachelors in psychology and writing, and an associates in early childhood education. I am currently working on getting a Masters in psychology with a concentration in child development.

I love seeing the children grow and learn. There are so many developmental milestones that I get to see and experience. I fell in love with the Reggio approach and work to incorporate it in all my experiences with children. It has definitely taught me to treat children as citizens of the world.

I honestly could go on about how much I love the work I do and how passionate I feel about every child having quality care but that would take eons. So I will end with these two quotes:

“To take children seriously is to value them for who they are right now rather than adults-in-the-making.”

Alfie Kohn

If you trust play, you will not have to control your child’s development as much. Play will raise the child in ways you can never imagine.

Vince Gowmon