Flora

Have you sold out if your child goes to pre-school?

Author: Flora

Ladies and gentleman, the day has come that I am reaching out for some regular help with my little man (now 1 1/2). I always knew I would consider pre-school at SOME point for Chunky Monkey. But, I wasn’t sure when. I guess in my mind I thought it would likely be around age 3 1/2 or 4. But then, life never goes quite as you had imagined, does it? It SURE hasn’t for me.

I learned through a friend about a Montessori teacher in Bozeman who wants to open a small 5-child pre-school specifically for kids around 2. It’s 3 hours in the morning for 3 days a week. It just seems too good to pass up. He will have some great time to learn and socialize, while I will have time to…. Well, I’m not sure exactly what I will do. But I have no doubt I will find a way to fill the time. Hopefully it will mean I can blog post more often! Maybe I can take a yoga class to help my achy back that gets all outta wack from holding this 28 lb kid! Also, I hope to put the word out more in my community to teach some more parenting workshops.

There is a part of me that wonders if I am selling out on being “Just” a SAHM. But I am also trying to stay flexible in my expectations and not do anything just because I think I “should” (a constant battle as a SAHM).

If you have done something similar, drop a line to share your thoughts. It’s great to share in this journey with others.

Learning about numbers

Author: Flora

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) says, “Each day offers us countless opportunities to help children deepen their understanding of math concepts. The more we talk math, the better chance infants and toddlers have to build a positive attitude toward math learning and learning in general.”

So, I am striving to incorporate math concepts into everyday life here with “Chunky Monkey”. Some people would think it’s too early to work with an 18-month old on math concepts, but that’s not true at all. Montessori education and the NAEYC recommend that you begin including math concepts in every day life from infancy. Why waist the incredible time period of 0-3, when children have such absorbent minds?

So, this week I did a DIY flip ring with the numbers 1-10.

I used a permanent marker to write on some lament counter top samples my husband got from a hardware store. The sample chips and chain came already put together, but you could easily make this with lamenated paper. In fact, I just found one like it recently at a yard sale (from a crafty mom).:-)

My little man was eager to have me tell the “story” of the numbers again and again while he flipped the samples to the next one.

So, I’d call it a success so far – and it only took about 2 minutes to make!

– See more at: http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/music-math-more/math-talk-infants-and-toddlers#sthash.bIKG7DMs.dpuf”

Some ideas for talking about math concepts (from the NAEYC) with young children include:

1. Number and operations—

“You have two eyes, and so does your bear. Let’s count:–1, 2.”
“I have more crackers than you do. See, I have 1, 2, 3, and you have 1, 2. I’m going to eat one of mine. Now I have the same as you!”
“That’s the third time I’ve heard you say mama. You’ve said mama three times!”

2. Shapes and spatial relationships (geometry)—

“Look, Jason went under the climber and Aliyah is on top!”
“You’re sitting next to your brother.”
“Some of the crackers we have today are square, and some are round.”

– See more at: http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/music-math-more/math-talk-infants-and-toddlers

– I also strongly recommend this 8-week online course on Early Preparation of the Mathematical Mind. I took it and learned a lot about how to teach math concepts early. http://ageofmontessori.org/early-math-course-online/

Hugs, Hugs, Hugs!

Author: Flora

This is a Tool Card, created by Jane Nelsen and Adrian Garsia.

In a recent 3-part parenting workshop where I shared Positive Discipline parenting tools, this was one of the biggest hits!

The tool is simple – use hugs in difficult moments. Here is 1 mom’s report after our first class where she learned about how to offer your child a hug when they are throwing a tantrum (see the details on the card to the left):

“I have to admit I really thought the idea was kinda silly and unlikely to work with my son. But I tried it the next time he threw a tantrum, and…. it worked! I simply got down to his level and opened my arms and said, ‘I need a hug’. He had the most surprised look on his face and was stopped in his tracks. He came and gave me a hug and we both left the situation smiling. It was awesome!”

Sometimes you don’t even have to use words. When your child is having a meltdown about not getting his way, you can simply offer comfort by getting down to his level and stretching out your arms. Be sure that you don’t change the limit you just set because that could send the wrong message. The intent here is that you can still offer your child empathy, even when you have set a limit. Empathy is always the gateway to bringing a child from where he is (emotionally), to where you want him to be. (Learn more about this idea by reading “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child” by John Gottman).

Flora

Have you sold out if your child goes to pre-school?

Learning about numbers

Hugs, Hugs, Hugs!

Author: FLORA

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Flora

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