I'm sitting here thinking of all the things that are just running around in my head, and don't even know what I want to let out. There is so much I take on and take care of, and sometimes it's hard to let go of some of that stuff, even when I know it's for my best that I do.
Being a mom is one of my most favorite things ever. I have the coolest kids, and you are free to disagree that yours are cooler, I know my truth. 😄 I've gotten to watch as my dolly crafts a costume out of notebook paper and yarn for her brother. It's so cool! She is figuring out how to make all the pieces work together, and how to get it to stay on him without ripping. My big kid has been working on his computer and piano skills- he's coming along amazingly at both. And my super bud is just being so patient as his sister makes his costume. They are creative, and smart, and funny, and just fun to be around.
I love my work. I get to hang out with babies all day, and about 90% of the time they are the cutest and most amazing little people ever. *(The other 10% is crying and poopy diapers. No one loves that.) I love that I get to go to work somewhere I love with people I enjoy doing something I'm really good at every day. I get to make a difference for so many people, and it is the most amazing ever.
I have my classwork coming up. I am so excited at the opportunity to learn more, and especially to learn about how to share the things I've learned and experienced with other people. To make that difference to someone. To be a teacher is one of my greatest blessings in life.
I have my parents, five siblings, siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews. I know that there are people with larger families than me, but no matter what, family is a commitment, and takes time, attention, and care. Everyone needs something a little different, and that can take a lot out of a person.
I have my church family. I have loved meeting and connecting (or reconnecting) with the people there. There is so much support to be found and offered.
This next week, I get to be on vacation with my kids. I don't know what all we are going to do, and that is so great. We get to just be together. As much as I love all the other people and commitments in my life, I am so looking forward to all the time I get to spend with my kids. We get to spend some quality time with the cousins and some special friends who we don't get the opportunity to see as much as we would like, but there are so many things that come up in all our schedules it just doesn't happen. And we get to hang out with some new kids, and see what kinds of connections we make there.
Most of the time, it's just going to be me and them. And I can't wait! It's tough to step away from all the commitments I've made, but sometimes I have to. One thing I've learned in the last few years is that I'm not irreplaceable to the rest of the world. But to myself, to my kids, to my family... There's only one me, and I need to take care of me first sometimes.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Preparing for Parent Aware and Infant Learning
So, the child care center where I work is preparing for our re-rating through Parent Aware. For those of you who don't know, Parent Aware is a program that works with child care centers and providers to use research based ideas to help children in child care settings be more ready for kindergarten.
Now, I will be one of the first to stand up and say that I feel that our schools, teachers, and children are being pushed into accomplishing unrealistic goals. Kindergartners are not developmentally ready for first or second grade work. Five and six year old children should never be expected to be able to accomplish the things that eight and nine year olds can and should do. But there are things that can be done with children before they ever set foot in a classroom that can help them be set up for success once they get to kindergarten. Even as an infant teacher, there are things that I need to do to be able to help my little learners get the best start possible.
Teach children that learning is fun, or at least interesting. Creating an environment that promotes exploration and discovery on the child's terms allows a child to see that they have the ability to choose for themselves what interests them. They can make things happen. They can become immersed in stacking cups or rings, climbing into or out of a bucket, standing up and falling back down as they try out their legs. They can make the baby in the mirror smile and wave an arm or kick a leg. And all of this shows children that learning in a common, natural thing for them to do.
Make learning possible. If a child is consistently in front of a screen, or tucked into an infant seat/swing, they are not going to learn about movement opportunities. They won't learn the wonder of being outside, and feeling the grass or the sand or how it feels to swing. You have to make learning possible for children by giving them a place that encourages interaction with the environment. Take them outside and let them see the trees and insects, let them play with the sand and grass (and yes, if you have infants, they will probably try to eat both. It's usually not a big deal.)
Give them opportunities to try out new things that they haven't done before. I have a couple baby friends who are around the 9 month mark. They just started participating in our art experiences that involve paint brushes and crayons. And they love it! They get the biggest smiles as they swing their arms back and forth and color or paint their paper (or their teachers or the floor!) Just remember that everything washes, even the children.
Also, these children are beginning to pull themselves to stand, and get themselves around the room under their own power. These moments are huge for an infant. For the first times in their lives, these children are able to make a decision about what they want and get themselves to their goal. Create a space that allows movement, and encourage the opportunity. Trust me, I know how fun it is to snuggle that squishy baby, but let them do their own thing. They will thank you for it. Promise.
Lastly, for here at least, TALK TO THEM! Let them know the correct words for what they are doing, the things they are learning, what they are feeling, where they are going, reading to them. Children learn language by listening to you talk. Make sure they hear you, and that you are talking and reading about a variety of topics. Teach them how to have conversations so they can express themselves, and listen to another person.
There are a million and five things that you can give to a child, but the most important is your support of their exploration. Teach them that they are capable learners, encourage them to try- even if they can't quite get it right the first time, and you will help your child become ready for the things that life is going to throw at them.
Now, I will be one of the first to stand up and say that I feel that our schools, teachers, and children are being pushed into accomplishing unrealistic goals. Kindergartners are not developmentally ready for first or second grade work. Five and six year old children should never be expected to be able to accomplish the things that eight and nine year olds can and should do. But there are things that can be done with children before they ever set foot in a classroom that can help them be set up for success once they get to kindergarten. Even as an infant teacher, there are things that I need to do to be able to help my little learners get the best start possible.
Teach children that learning is fun, or at least interesting. Creating an environment that promotes exploration and discovery on the child's terms allows a child to see that they have the ability to choose for themselves what interests them. They can make things happen. They can become immersed in stacking cups or rings, climbing into or out of a bucket, standing up and falling back down as they try out their legs. They can make the baby in the mirror smile and wave an arm or kick a leg. And all of this shows children that learning in a common, natural thing for them to do.
Make learning possible. If a child is consistently in front of a screen, or tucked into an infant seat/swing, they are not going to learn about movement opportunities. They won't learn the wonder of being outside, and feeling the grass or the sand or how it feels to swing. You have to make learning possible for children by giving them a place that encourages interaction with the environment. Take them outside and let them see the trees and insects, let them play with the sand and grass (and yes, if you have infants, they will probably try to eat both. It's usually not a big deal.)
Give them opportunities to try out new things that they haven't done before. I have a couple baby friends who are around the 9 month mark. They just started participating in our art experiences that involve paint brushes and crayons. And they love it! They get the biggest smiles as they swing their arms back and forth and color or paint their paper (or their teachers or the floor!) Just remember that everything washes, even the children.
Also, these children are beginning to pull themselves to stand, and get themselves around the room under their own power. These moments are huge for an infant. For the first times in their lives, these children are able to make a decision about what they want and get themselves to their goal. Create a space that allows movement, and encourage the opportunity. Trust me, I know how fun it is to snuggle that squishy baby, but let them do their own thing. They will thank you for it. Promise.
Lastly, for here at least, TALK TO THEM! Let them know the correct words for what they are doing, the things they are learning, what they are feeling, where they are going, reading to them. Children learn language by listening to you talk. Make sure they hear you, and that you are talking and reading about a variety of topics. Teach them how to have conversations so they can express themselves, and listen to another person.
There are a million and five things that you can give to a child, but the most important is your support of their exploration. Teach them that they are capable learners, encourage them to try- even if they can't quite get it right the first time, and you will help your child become ready for the things that life is going to throw at them.
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