Snow Angels

Fun Times

I've never been much of a game player. I grew up on nature walks, arts and crafts, playing with animals, and lots of reading. But recently, I've discovered the joy of playing games; especially with good company.

I recently wrote that mommies need to stop once in a while to get beautiful and have some fun. Well, I think that getting together with friends for a good game night is also a good way to relax and destress after a long day. Next time some friends invite you to some good old around the table gaming, don't give all the typical excuses like having a pile of laundry to fold, being too tired, etc. Give it a go and you'll see what a boost it can be! ;-)

One favourite game of ours is Settlers of Catan. These pics were taken during a recent game.

A New Start

Parenting is definitely and exciting journey. As I reflect on past years, I see that I've learned a lot from my mistakes and experiences. I've cried and I've laughed; I've taught and I've learned. And it's not over yet.

As I start a new year of life, my prayer is that I will continue to take everything that life is offering me, not to miss a moment in time, and that I will be all that my kids, family, and friends need me to be. I pray that I will be an instrument of peace and love in the Lord's hands.

On My Birthday...

It snowed.

The first snow of the season.

It was symbolic...starting a new year of my life as white as snow, all past mistakes forgotten. :-)

P.S. just a little clarification...in an earlier post I mentioned snow. I supposed that was sort of like the first snow except that its chemical constitution more resembled slush! Definitely not the pure white snow that fell on November 22nd!

Fun in the Hay

Me

We also got to tumble about in the hay a bit with the kiddos, after picking apples. Fun, fun!

I'll post the photos tomorrow.

:-)

More Photos...

Apple Picking

I suppose apple picking is just one of those things that is a tradition up north. I remember doing it often as a kid...but my kids had never experienced it. Having grown up in Africa and Brazil, such activities were only read about in books. So when Steve and I met up with some other families in the area to pick apples, I was excited for them!!

Here are some pics from that fun day. I have to warn you that they might make you hungry. ;-)



Notice that Steve just can't seem to stop eating apples! He wasn't the only one, ha! The apples were so delicious! There is something magical about eating a fruit right off the tree. It's just ALIVE with flavour!

Autumn...

We are well into Autumn now, though I have to admit it seems the change-over happened quickly! Time has gone by so fast it seems that summer was only a few weeks ago. And now, the cold weather is creeping up on us.

It snowed today, not the nice fluffy "white Christmas" kind of snow, but the cold, wet stuff. The kids ended up practicing dancing for their Christmas singing instead of braving the elements.






Anyhoo...I thought I would make blogging easy for myself by posting a bunch of photos! ;-)


Here's Brandon relaxing in the pumpkin patch. He seems to fit in quite well doesn't he? Brandon's favourite season is Autumn because of the colors that erupt all over the place. He just loves it!

And he also loves apples...which is what his tummy was full of when I snapped this photo!

Welcome Me Back??

Ok, I've been a stranger for too long. At this moment, I'm quite determined to start posting at least once a week. More than that would be miraculous at this point. Life is full of things to do! Sometimes I wish I could bend time and space (Hiro...where are you??) and then maybe I could finish all of my projects.

For all you expert Bloggers out there: How do you do it?? Tips and tricks are definitely appreciated. ;-)

Well, my time is up. I'm going out. Maybe tonight I'll post something for you all...

:-) Love you! Oh, and I'll be posting about some of our Autumn happenings...

A Mother's Beauty

Once in a while, we moms need to get away from the hustle and bustle of home life and have some fun. Let's face it, we are beautiful in our own unique way, so we should get out and "let our light shine!" Take some time off away from home from time to time.--It's great fun!

This photo was taken at The Brunswick House, a college pub here in Toronto during a fund-raising event. We had tons of fun that night rocking out with Haven, Salt of Earth, and Plan of Attack!

All three of us are happy mommies. Joy has two little munchkins, Jean has one, and I am quite happy with my five! I think we were all looking cute that night.

Feeling beautiful doesn't always come naturally though...heh. When you have day after day of teaching, planning, cleaning, care-taking, etc. with barely any time left for anything else, it's tempting to feel anything but pretty. Yet, the truth is that we are amazing women! The strength of spirit and contentment that comes with bearing and raising children makes us glow!

If you're starting to feel a little frazzled and don't like what you see in the mirror, take some time to tune in to yourself. Exercise, put on some makeup, treat yourself to a footbath...believe me, it's worth the time and effort. You'll feel rejuvenated and much more ready to face the challenges that come your way every day! ;-)

To Explain My Absence...

In case anyone is wondering why I haven't posted in so long: TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES!!!

My computer need some serious repair before I can resume my usual enthusiastic posting habits...which I suppose have not been all that consistent to begin with but at least were regular enough to keep someone out there interested...

Lots of cool stuff happening with the kids though. We recently came back from a camping trip and previous to that the kids got to go to an all you can eat Chinese buffet. Hopefully I can post some photos soon. Until then, pray for my computer!

Canada Day

The kids ready for action:

On stage:

A sampling of the fireworks we watched:

Homeschoolers Who Have Changed Our World

By Mike Farris, News reprint

History is filled with famous homeschooling kids who have grown up to amazing things. Here are a few examples…

John and Charles Wesley

No account of modern church history would be complete without the stories of John and Charles Wesley. Born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley of Lincolnshire, England, John and Charles were the 15th and 18th of 19 children. Susanna schooled all her children at home, and she didn't confine their learning to mere academics. Together with her husband, an Anglican pastor, she taught her children the Bible and trained them to serve God.
Susanna's child rearing was put to the test when John left home to pursue higher learning at Oxford. Ordained a priest in the Church of England in 1728, John began a ministry of open-air preaching.
John Wesley traveled over 250,000 miles in his lifetime, spreading the Gospel. With a strong emphasis on good works, the Wesleys founded clinics for the sick, and orphanages and schools for the poor. Ultimately, they were a part of the Great Awakening, which swept the English-speaking world and saw hundreds of thousands being saved.
Mothers and fathers of large families, take heart. Among your children there may be a John or Charles Wesley, who, with a godly upbringing, can dramatically impact the world for Christ.

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams, born in 1902, was an extremely active, creative child. When he was placed in traditional school, that active nature led to trouble almost from the beginning. He simply could not sit in the classroom when there was an outdoors to explore.
After Ansel's expulsion from various schools, both public and private, his father decided to teach his son himself. One year, his school consisted of a year's pass to the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, where he took in art, architecture, music, and other achievements of civilization.
The world remembers Ansel Adams for giving us the most dramatic landscape photographs of the century. In his autobiography, Adams says: "I often wonder at the strength and courage my father had in taking me out of the traditional school situation and providing me with these extraordinary learning experiences. I am certain he established the positive direction of my life that otherwise, given my native hyperactivity, could have been confused and catastrophic. I trace who I am and the direction of my development to those years of growing up in our house on the dunes, propelled especially by an internal spark tenderly kept alive and glowing by my father."

Parents know their children better than any teacher ever could.

Thomas Edison

In 1847, a seventh child was born to Samuel and Nancy Elliot Edison. Thomas Alva was a mischievous and inquisitive child. His parents placed him in formal school at age seven, but his active, creative nature was stifled in a rigid educational setting.
Nancy Edison, a former schoolteacher, trained her youngest son in the basics and fostered his creative, inquisitive nature. As one Edison biographer put it, "She was determined that no formalism would cramp his style, no fetters hobble in the free rein, the full sweep of his imagination." Edison himself said of his mother, "She instilled in me the love and purpose of learning."
The results of Thomas Edison's love for learning are legendary. After beginning work as a telegraph operator in 1863, Edison invented improvements to the telegraph. He went on to improve fire alarm systems, stock tickers, and the telephone transmitter, and to invent, among other things, the phonograph and the incandescent light bulb.
Thomas Edison obtained the most U.S. patents ever given to one person, and ranks as one of the greatest inventors and industrial leaders in history. He also serves as just one more example of the power of parent-directed education.

Pearl Buck

Pearl S. Buck grew up on the mission field in China, and became a famous American author and winner of the 1932 Pulitzer Prize. A lively, precocious child, she pestered her mother with countless questions. Pearl's mother, realizing that her daughter needed a creative outlet, began her education at home. She especially focused on Pearl's skill for writing, and encouraged her to write something every week. At the age of six, Pearl began writing for missionary magazines. Her writing was also published regularly by the Shanghai Mercury, an English newspaper that offered prizes for the best stories and articles written by children.
It was not surprising when Pearl decided as a young adult to become a novelist. She went on to write more than 65 books, plus hundreds of short stories and essays.
She is best known for her books dealing sympathetically with life in China, including her widely acclaimed novel, The Good Earth. In 1938, Pearl S. Buck received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Although Pearl received her later education at various schools, her most significant years of academic training were spent at home. It was her mother who recognized her flair for writing and fostered her creative development.

Florence Nightingale

On May 12, 1820, a baby girl was born in Florence, Italy, to wealthy British parents. Named for the city in which she was born, Florence Nightingale was brought up to be an intelligent woman of good society. Both her mother and her father contributed to her academic and social training. While Mrs. Nightingale instructed Florence and her sister in social graces and the skill of running a large household, the girls' father taught them English grammar, history, philosophy, Latin, French, Greek, German, and Italian. Florence also received Biblical training from her parents, learning to read the New Testament in its original Greek.
When she was 16, Florence heard God's call to a special life work: easing the suffering of the sick and dying. She began withdrawing from society life to concentrate on studying health and reforms for the poor.
Florence Nightingale did much to introduce sanitary nursing methods to the whole world, especially to the battlefield. Among her many public honors, she became the first woman to receive the British Order of Merit.
Florence Nightingale and the others I mention above are just a few examples of fertile minds and pioneer spirits developed by home schooling. We have yet to see how today's home schooled children will change the world.

So True

Children have the ability to mold and make the parents as much as the parents do to mold and make the child.

Africa Stuff

Ok, I finally updated the Africa page at my Wordpress blog, here's the link if you want to read some of the stories.

Immaculate Perfection--Friend or Foe?

I wrote the following tidbit 5 years ago when I was living in Africa...

We all want a "perfect" world, though deep inside we know it doesn't exist. I'm one of those people that is constantly moving misplaced things a hairline back to where they are "supposed" to be. My idea of a clean room is spotless surfaces, no clutter.

Before I became a mommy to 4 energetic boys and an even more energetic girl, I would swear that my kid would never get his shirts dirty when he ate. I would smile with smug satisfaction at the fact that my room was always neat, and no matter what happened, I was in full control...Fast forward a few years to the present. This is the scenario:

First thing in the morning: Wake up time is here. Some early birds are already up and around! While I try to shake my tired body into a state of wakefulness, I survey the room. I can see a pile of Hotwheel cars out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through my foot. Quickly I inspect it to find that a teensy Lego piece is responsible for all the trouble! Further inspection reveals a trail of Legos leading to the bathroom. I look at my watch and see that time is running out. Kids need to get dressed, to breakfast, then morning devotions and finally school. The day has started! Of course the kids, after some reminders, put away their toys. The only think that irks me is the stray Lego here and there...

At the breakfast table I look on as my twins proceed to baptize their clothes in milk. What happened to those immaculate shirts I always dreamed about? My seven year old boy comes to the table and I notice new holes in his shirt. What to do? I send him back to change, knowing that there are only a few shirts of his that are still alive and "passable".

You see, once you have kids, you change. You begin to see that perfection doesn't lie in outward appearances or material things. True perfection is really imperfection, or should I say, the ability to live with imperfection and love it! When I look into my kids eyes, and see into their beautiful hearts, I see just how perfect God has made them! This helps me to have more patience with their mistakes and failings. Then I am easier on myself and my own mistakes! So we all learn and grow together!

The following poem tells it all better than I could!

If I live in a house of spotless beauty
with everything in it's place, but
have not love, I am a housekeeper,
not a homemaker.

If I live for waxing, polishing, and
decorative achievements, but
have not love, my children learn
cleanliness, not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is present through the trials.
Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child;
then stands aside to let the child walk into adulthood.
Love is the key that opens Salvation's message to a child's heart.

Before I became a parent, I took
glory in my house of perfection.
Now I glory in God's perfection of
my children.
As a parent there are many things
I must teach my children,
but the greatest of these is Love!

(adapted from 1 Corinthians chapter 13)

Botanical Gardens

The Best Teachers...

"The best teachers and parents are the ones who are able to think outside the box and put themselves in the mind-set of the children they teach. They are able to find what works and are willing to try many different techniques until they discover the best solution to helping their children learn."

excerpt from The Excellent 11, Ron Clark

What My Kids Teach Me

I realise that I'm being a tad negligent of my blogging duties. Life as a busy mom seems to have gotten even busier of late! Well, here's a little something to keep things going.

Things I've learned from my kids over the past week:

1. Kids learn better through play; especially when they play outdoors.--When they get to have more outside time, they are happier during school time, their creativity increases, and their understanding of the world around them deepens.

2. I'm the best, most beautiful mommy in the whole wide world. ;-)

3. Guiding my kids lovingly up the path of life is made a whole lot easier by setting clear boundaries and following through and what I tell them.

4. Some of the things that I have corrected my kids for (specifically my oldest boy) are things that I also do. The best way to help them learn and change is by changing myself.

5. Stories, cuddles, and talk times at bedtime are worth so so much!

I'm quite sure that I could keep adding to this list. But for now, I'll sign off with a smile...how thankful I am that I can learn something new each day and that I live such an exciting life! It's great to be a mom!

More of My Stuff

Check out these pages of mine from time to time:

African Adventures--Here you'll find all of the stories I've written about our time in Africa (as soon as I can find them all). Eventually I will have all my Gambia Logs linked to this page too!

Quotes for Parents and Teachers--I'll add quotes and anecdotes, poems, etc. as I find them.

XO

A Day in Our Lives...

I’ve never been good at keeping a diary and my journals were limited to two or three entries a year. But I really would like to try to say a little something about our family antics at least a few days each week. Hopefully that “little something” could be useful to someone!

With all that said, I will start with the highlight of today:

Making whole wheat biscuits for breakfast with my kids. YES, I’m quite sure that along with many other small miracles throughout the day, our science class, math class, and home economics class cleverly disguised as a baking project, was tops. I was filled with such a sense of fulfillment and joy as I baked with my kids early this morning.

First of all, I prayed for direction and got that I shouldn’t worry too much about the schedule. I knew that getting involved in a family baking project first thing in the morning would push our schedule back a bit. But, the kids do really learn best by doing things so enhancing their school time with a hands-on activity like baking was well worth the time! Of course, it took us twice as long to finish cooking than if I had done it all by myself. As we measured, sifted, poured, stirred, kneaded, and molded, I discussed measurements, fractions, ratios, multiplying, chemical changes, digestion, etc. I also discussed health and hygiene a bit after catching the kids sneaking bites of the raw dough! The biscuits turned out great and we had a nice bonding experience that got us off to a good start for the day!

Making Connections: Helping Children Build Their Brains

by Janice Fletcher, Associate Professor Child, Family, and Consumer Studies
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho

The first years of life hold the most critical periods for brain development. A hundred billion brain cells develop in the nine months that a mother's womb nurtures a developing person. When the child is born, these billions of brain cells, called neurons, begin to connect to help a child build a useful brain. These connections are called synapses. The number of synapses multiplies to make trillions of connections that form a "map" with increasingly more complex connections. The network of connections influences intellectual capacity, memory, problem solving, and language. Most of these connections are made in early childhood with the first year being remarkably busy!

There is no longer a question of "if" it is helpful to provide a stimulating environment for children. Research tells us that it is not only helpful if you do, but that a child is robbed of optimal brain development, if you do not. The development of the brain cells is human physiology, but development of many of the synapses is influenced by experiences. The brain cells form the framework, but the connections made in childhood determine what happens to that framework.

These first years are the period when the brain has the greatest hope for growth and construction. The synapses are strengthened by exposure to experiences. Experience provides stimulation that kick starts development of the synapses. Expanding from that base then develops more complex connections. Research tells us that synapses that are not stimulated are eliminated. They are pruned. They die. They wither. They are no longer there for use by the child.

When children are stimulated, neurotransmitters fire in the brain, creating synapses. When children relax, brain cells work with great efficiency. When children are stressed, cortisol, a "stress" hormone, washes over the brain. This "stress" hormone causes death of brain cells.

Children who receive loving care and strong attachments to others have low levels of cortisol. The implication of this information is that caregivers must give attention to providing relaxed environments and warm and loving attachments between children and adults. Key points are to hold children often, make soft places for them, and to be liberal with stroking and caressing to decrease stress hormones. Smile, hold, and caress them to give their brains a chance to be bathed in the comfort of warm and supportive adults.

There are windows of opportunity for "wiring" the brain. If the connections are not made during these windows, the child will have fewer connections or no connections for developing strength in that area. As children progress through these periods of whirlwind synapses building, adults should provide stimulation that connects experiences to everyday routines, then expand a bit. The brain works from simple connections to develop complex synapses networks. For example, synapses for developing language are connecting in the one to three year period. This means the child needs stimulation that provides interesting and varied listening and speaking experiences. Basic to this is for the caregiver to talk and listen. Children need face to face talk as their synapses network. Engage the child, and be engaged by the child in a dance of conversation. When a child coos or utters a syllable, repeat it. Then elaborate on it. When children hear your words and make sounds, brain connections are made. Talk slowly. Pause. Wait for a response. Give time to respond. Note where you accent words. Change the tone and inflections of your voice. Sing. Play music and sing along. Children need to make sounds and feel the delight and results that making sounds brings. Sound helps develop brain connections that help a child respond to others. Synapses are strongest when the learning has a function. Words that get results are stimulating. The thrill that accompanies asking why, what, and when questions may come from a synapse connecting.

Choose activities that give children opportunities to make choices using memory. Toddlers and preschoolers respond to sorting, matching, and classifying games. Examples are sorting, naming, and assigning colors or numbers to common items such as socks, silverware, blocks, and pictures. Games that stimulate memory give the brain exercise in planning. Classics such as peekaboo, go find it, and who is missing give children chances to remember. Lotto games stimulate children to "plan backwards." Decision- making builds connections of thought. Music learning stimulates problem solving. When music training is begun between the ages of three and ten years, the brain develops connections for spatial orientation and classification. Fill the environment with toys and activities that have a cause and effect of sound and action. Show children how to listen to the sounds when they tap on a bowl with spoons and or on pot lids with wooden spoons. Present the sounds of the xylophone as individual notes or as trills. Fill film canisters with different items. Tape the lids shut and shake, shake, shake.

Development of social skills is dependent on synapses that help a child understand social references. As children engage each other and interact with adults, they develop references for what to expect from other people and how to treat others. Pat a cake, for example, is a game that helps to build brain connections for turn taking. Pointing out that a child can look at another child's face to see whether the child is happy or sad helps build social referents in the child's synapses. The impact of the research on brain development suggests that we educate ourselves about the windows of opportunity for brain development. We must provide warm, responsive individual caregiving. A stimulating environment with many and varied things to do is essential to keep those synapses healthy and alive.

Parents and care providers must be aware of and responsive to the characteristics of child development. Early childhood professionals must keep up with the research. Take a child development course. Read current books and journals. Learn about the mounting scientific support for nurturing children's brain development. Take advantage of the opportunities to teach others about how to stimulate children's brains.

Hold parent information sessions to talk about brain development. Help parents know what to expect from their children and ways to stimulate their brains. Encourage parents to receive early and comprehensive prenatal care. Distribute information about prenatal nutrition and the effects of alcohol and drug use on the developing brain of the child.

Recent brain research is remarkable information for those who care for and educate children. It tells us that the things we do or DO NOT DO affect the potential of our children.

Additional Reading
Begley, S. 1997 How to build a baby's brain. Newsweek, Special Edition, Spring-Summer, 28-32.
Shore, R. 1997 Rethinking the brain: New insights into early development. Families and Work Institute, New York, New York.
Jabs. C. 1996 Working Mother, 19, 24-28.
Newberger, J 1997 New brain development research-a wonderful window of opportunity to build public support for early childhood education!, Young Children, 52:4, 4-9.

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Janice Fletcher. (2004). Making Connections: Helping Children Build Their Brains. Storrs, CT: National Network for Child Care at the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.

To All Mothers...

Your masterpiece

Raising a child is like painting a masterpiece. As the painter applies layer upon layer to her canvas, day by day you shape the life of your little one.
The artist doesn’t begin with the smallest details, but uses broad strokes to map the basic shapes of her painting. Then, with patience and great care, she adds new tones and a little more detail each day, until finally she can step back and admire her handiwork-a finished product she can be proud of.
So it is for mothers: Patiently and with tender loving care, mothers help transform little children into mature men and women.
One day you will step back and admire your work of art. Others will never fully understand or appreciate the years of hard work and loving care it took to produce your masterpiece, but you and I will-and we will know that it was worth it all!

(excerpt from the Aurora Productions book, From Jesus With Love - For Women)

On Being a Mom

Author unknown

Before I was a mom…

I made and ate hot meals.

I had unstained clothing.

I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a mom…

I slept as late as I wanted on weekends

And never worried about how late I got into bed.

Before I was a mom…

I cleaned the house each day.

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a mom…

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about childhood diseases.

Before I was a mom…

I had never been puked on-
Pooped on-
Spit on-
Chewed on-
Peed on-

Or pinched by tiny fingers.

Before I was a mom…

I had complete control of my mind,

My thoughts,

My body.

I slept all night.

Before I was a mom…

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a mom…

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a mom.

Before I was a mom…

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a mom…

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known,

The warmth-
The joy-
The love-
The heartache-
The wonderment-
Or the satisfaction of being a mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a mom.

Excellent Articles About Teaching Kids to Work

I'm on a push right now to continue to motivate my kids to become professional happy helpers. The goal is that they will eventually be self-motivated to work and help out around the house. This means tuning into their work habits and putting in the time to teach and train them. I was just realizing that though they are usually enthusiastic helpers, there is so much more they could be doing and their initiative has a lot of room to grow. As the kids were growing up I made the mistake of cleaning up after them a lot because it was the quickest thing to do. Ok, so it's never too late and I have decided that I will take the time to teach my kiddos the right way to work no matter how long it takes! Teaching a kid the correct way to clean is often quite time consuming--but it is well worth the effort! Tonight, as I was tucking my kids in bed, I asked Kyle, my five year-old, what the highlight of his day was. He smiled really big and then told me, "when I was working in the yard with daddy."

I found a BLOG yesterday which I thought was interesting. I didn't have time to do much more than skim over the posts and I liked what I saw. The BLOG's called "The Lazy Organizer" but this full-time mom is definitely not lazy! Anway, she wrote some good articles about teaching kids to work. I read the first two and was able to glean some tips. Here are the links to the series of articles for you to check out:

Part I, Whose Job is It?
Part II, Getting Rid of the Clutter
Part III, Let Them Help
Part IV, It Takes Time
Part V, Work Together
Part VI, Learn to Practice
Part VII, Make it Easy

Learning Styles and Work Habits

I'm learning to take the time to meditate and pray about my kids' personalities and individual needs. I see that I can't compare them to each other or other kids. A method that works for one might not work for the other. Each is unique and has their own way of learning from life and it's imperative that I understand this! When it comes to the kids' work habits I sometimes run a bit short of patience. Well, when I stop and pray, I'm shown the way. Often the key to keeping myself from feeling like a nag is to stop talking (more like yelling in some cases) so much and pointing out every little thing the kids missed doing. Instead, when I quietly try to find a way to teach the kids how to do better or encourage them for what they did do, clean up times go more smoothly.

I found these notes recently:

Research has helped educators identify numerous distinct learning preferences in people. At home you can also identify some of your child's preferred ways of gathering information by asking the following questions.

"Would you rather work by yourself, with a friend, or with Mom or Dad?"
Style: Individual, Group, or Family

"Should we use a chart to show your responsibilities, or can I just tell you what you should do?"
Style: Reader or Listener

"Do you want me to explain carefully how to wash the car or would you rather read & follow the directions on the can of car wash yourself?"
Style: Detailed Instruction or Discovery

Consider the example of Erica, an eight-year-old, who spends every free minute with her nose in a book. Her mother's words seem to go in one ear & out the other. Erica's style is the written word. A note that lists her job assignments will have more impact than will constantly telling her what must be done. (Most of my kids are like Erica!) In the same family, John likes to talk, & to listen intently as his father reads to him. John can be told what needs to be done & does it--he is a listener! Some children like to work with a group of people. For them a "family clean-up hour" will produce more help than an assignment to work alone. Other children enjoy private time & do an excellent job working independently.

Motivation for Little Workers

Positive statements that encourage

What a worker!
Fantastic effort!
That looks like it's going to be a great job!
You must be pleased with the work you are doing!
I appreciate your helpfulness!
Now you've got the hang of it!
This is much better!
Keep up the good work!
You are learning so much!
Wow, you really stick to your job!
You catch on real fast!
You've just about got it!
You're getting better at _____ every day!
You must have been practicing!

(--And there are many more you can use with just a little thought!)

Success!

Guess what? Ever since I tried the visual spelling activity (see the April 25th post in case you missed it) with my son Ryan (7), he's gotten 100% on the two spelling tests he took. This is really exciting because before I decided to try a new method of learning words with him, we was averaging between 70 and 80 % on his tests. I think he's really excited about using his ability to visualize things as a way of remembering his words. :-)

High Park

Masquerade Ball

Our most recent area kids activity was a Masquerade Ball which included lots of dancing games and other fun stuff. This doubled up as a birthday party for Laura, 8 (of Reuben and Sarai).

Before starting the party, the kids had a word class focused on fighting the good fight (John Paul Jones), and taking time with Jesus.

Learning Styles

Here are some excerpts that I really like from a book called School Proof, by Mary Pride:

What can we give each child that is special?

Recognize children's different learning styles.

Adjust the content of teaching to their roles & talents, &, to a lesser extent, their interests.

Adjust the speed of teaching.

Not penalize children for their legitimate difference, e.g., by grades & labeling.

God gave us four main ways to take in data:

Visual Learners

Are you easily distracted by new sights? Do you remember where you put things? Are you good at catching typos & doing puzzles? Are you very aware of visual details in drawings? Do you remember names better when you see them on a name tag? If you answered "yes" to these questions, you are a visual learner.

Visual learners need to see what they are supposed to do. Some materials that are good for visual learners are:

FLASH CARDS

MATCHING GAMES

PUZZLES

INSTRUCTION BOOKS

CHARTS

PICTURES, POSTERS, WALL STRIPS

Auditory Learners

Do you like to talk a lot? Do you talk to yourself? As a child, were you a "babbler"? Do you remember names easily? /can you carry a tune? Do you like to "keep the beat" along with the music? Do you read out loud or sub-vocalize during reading? Can you follow oral directions more easily than written directions? When taking tests, do you frequently know the answer, but have trouble expressing it on paper? Then you are an auditory learner.

Auditory learners learn best by hearing. They need to be told what to do. Good materials for auditory learners are:

CASSETTE TAPES

EDUCATIONAL SONGS & RHYMES (LIKE THE ABC SONG)

RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners

Were you always grabbing for things? Did you always run your finger across the boards when walking past a fence? Do you move around a lot & use animated gestures & facial expressions when talking? Can you walk along the curb without losing your balance? Do you prefer hugs from your spouse rather than verbal praise? Do you like to take things apart? Are you always fooling with paper or something on your desk when you're on the phone? If so, then you're a kinesthetic learner.

Hands on learning is a must for kinesthetic learners. Kinesthetic learners learn to read best by learning to write. Kinesthetic learners do not like sitting at a desk for hours staring at the blackboard. For kinesthetic learners, try:

LONG NATURE WALKS

MODEL KITS

YARD WORK & GARDENING

TEXTURED PUZZLES

TYPING INSTEAD OF WRITING (IT'S FASTER & LESS FRUSTRATING)

Manipulative materials & a good phonics program cure reversals in kinesthetic learners, who are the group most frequently labeled "dyslexic."

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Cool Parents

Here's to Steve and Abi, fun co-workers and fellow parents! I think they are tops as far as parenting goes and I'm quite happy to be working side by side with them. Their wee ones are a source of constant joy and amusement to all of us. My youngest is five now...so I really enjoy their one and two year-old antics!

Visual Learning Experiment

I've been quite interested in learning styles lately. I'm already fascinated by the human psyche, the "why's" and "how's" of life, etc. So learning to tune in to my kids so that I can understand what they need has been a rewarding experience. Of course, having a direct link with Heaven and all its wisdom has enhanced the experience!

Anyhow, recently I tried a little experiment with Ryan, 7 years old. He's my special boy, a twin, who never fails to put a smile on my face. He's spacey and dreamy, has a difficult time being still for long periods of time, fails to follow directions properly sometimes, struggles with school, etc...yet his intelligence shines so brightly in his eyes. When he's encouraged for his efforts, his eyes literally shine. It's powerful!

Back to my experiment. First, I got some colored markers and index cards together. Then I called Ryan over and asked him if he wanted to do some fun spelling with me. He was delighted with the idea. I asked him to tell me a word that he thought was difficult for him to spell. He said "incredible". I then wrote the word on the index card, writing each syllable of the word in a different color. Then I asked him to look at the word and "take a picture of it" with his mind. In other words I asked him to visualise the word. When he told me that he was ready, I turned the card over and asked him to spell the word out loud. He had not trouble doing that. Then I encouraged him to spell the word backwards out loud. He was able to do that also though a bit more slowly. We tried a few more words and then moved on to something else. Ever since then, when I ask him to spell one of the words we did, he gets it every time. This is such an exciting activity for him and also a fun way for him to learn his spelling lists!

I think Ryan is a visual learner. He's more likely to understand what he's learning if he can visualize it. He also needs to be able to use his sense of touch in his learning experiences. I suspect that if I had also made puzzles out of the words on the index cards, for him to piece together, he would get even more out of the experiment.

Understanding a child with ADD

This is a quote that really stood out to me. It's from a book called Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey.

"Follow the face of a little girl who doesn't read very well and is told to try harder; who tends to daydream and is told she better pay attention; who talks out in class when she sees something fascinating, like a butterfly on the windowpane, and is told to leave the class and report to the principal; who forgets her homework and is told she will just never learn; who writes a story rich in imagination and insight and is told her handwriting and spelling are atrocious; who asks for help and is told she should try harder herself before getting others to do her work for her; who begins to feel unhappy in school and is told that big girls try harder. This is the brutal process of breaking down the spirit of a child."

It seems like there are many such children in our lives. Lord help us to use positiveness to lift them up and enable them to reach their highest potential!

Indian Girls: My daughter Anika (7) with Mellow

Recently, we had a cowboy/Indian fair for all the kids in the area ages 6 - 11, planned by our area Kids Club committee. Stalls were set up with a variety of challenging games and we also had a food booth. The kids were given a certain amount of tickets at the entrance which they used to pay for the games and buy food. Each time they won a game they were given tickets. We also had a few fun contests. It turned out to be loads of fun for all of us and well worth the effort!

Live the Truth!

There are so many parenting sites, books, and organizations offering all sort of advice for us parents, not to mention well-meaning relatives and friends. In fact, often we will be faced with contradictory advice!

What to do??

The most important thing to remember is that each child is unique, an individual, that can't be compared to another and we, the parents, are also unique! Each human being on this earth is an individual without a replica. How we react, feel, and think in life depends on our character. If we seek, we will find. When we ask, we will receive. And in doing so, we will find the Truth for our selves and our children.--And the Truth will set us free! :-)

The most important thing is that we are living what we believe, that we find happiness and joy in doing so, and that we stand on our convictions. If we are happy, our children will be happy, and that's what's most important!

Introduction

Parenting is not easy but it's got to be the funnest, most fulfilling job in the world! If all you do is care for your kids and pour into them, you are doing one of the most important jobs that exist! Why? Because you are molding their lives for the future. You are preparing them for the "big world out there". They are tomorrow's leaders.

I was never much of a child oriented person before I started having my own kids. I was what you could call a "career girl", ambitiously looking for adventure. When my precious kids came into my life, I discovered something wonderful: these little ones that God sent my way were amazing and quite the adventure!

Kids are so smart and learn much faster and easier than we adults do, they have so much faith, they cheer us up in our lowest moments, they are a ready and willing sponge, ready to soak up any input that you give them, they are adorable, and the list can go on and on.

If we as parents, learn to turn each minute with our children into a time of discovery as well as communication, then we will already be giving them a good foundation for their lives. When a child feels free to explore in order to discover, he/she learns to love the learning that comes with the exploration and subsequent discovery! And, if the experience is enhanced with communication, he/she learns to relate what is learned to the world around him/her.

I have often been guilty of impatience with my kids resulting in unwittingly cutting a delightful learning opportunity short. Many mistakes have been made due to being so busy with the important things in "my world" to the neglect of my child's world...which in reality is like the sun of "my world". Without it, my world would die.

But, it's never too late. Mistakes and all, we must continue on! After all, how can we become professional parents and teachers if we never make mistakes we can learn from?