tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79602901736388013532024-03-05T02:05:37.164-08:00thinking smallerinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-61914548379371080492015-05-01T20:14:00.001-07:002015-05-01T20:14:12.797-07:00Drop off childcare is sort of new for my girls. They have one day for two and a half hours, starting last term. As we are at <a href="http://playcentre.org.nz/" target="_blank">Playcentre</a> they are dropped off in the same centre they have been at since they were babies, it's just that now they get to have an extra day there without me. They have some strong relationships, they are independent and comfortable in their surroundings, they are able to let people know when they are hungry or need to go to the toilet and are able to trust the adults around them enough to let them help. The wonderful mums there too are respectful of their play, and right now of their need to be different identities and be called different names, and they make an effort to remember who is Elsa, who is Ben or Holly or William or Grace or... last week when I picked them up they had name tags with their assumed name printed large and their real name in brackets.<br />
<br />
However the week just gone was one of those times when you really appreciate how differently toddlers think. I was greeted with enthusiasm as I arrived for pickup and received great reports from them and the adults who spent time with them about all the fun things they had done. No toileting accidents (yay!!!) no upsets, just happy settled play. They both expressed to me how they didn't want to leave (yay!!!) and we went on our merry way. Until we were part way home.<br />
<br />
I am not sure what the trigger was as it was behind me in the back seat but Thing 1 started to cry. Not just cry - scream and wail and howl. In that special ear-splitting way she has. It continued the entire 10 minute drive, the extra 10 minutes it took for me to get Thing 2 and the gear out of the car and into the house, and the next 20 minutes of me carrying her and lying down with her on my tummy to cuddle and talk. She just couldn't calm herself down enough to tell me what was wrong in all that time, I felt so helpless, I was desperate to find out what she needed and I had literally no clue.<br />
Finally she took some breaths, managed a shaky "I'm better" and told me "you did it wrong way mummy" okay... I guess that was something to work with...but seriously what on earth? the car? the music in the car? the seatbelt? each wrong guess of course was so upsetting to the child trying to communicate something to what must've felt like the stupidest adult on the planet:<br />
the answer? her name tag.<br />
As there were some new people at Playcentre this morning I had written their names on stickers as some people find it hard to remember who's who. "you said I was Meredith but I wanted to be Ava" And then I remembered, I had been in a hurry, I hadn't even asked what name she wanted or explained that I would need to put her actual name there too to help out the new people.<br />
I apologised, she said "I forgive you mummy, I love you mummy" and we got on with our lives (after a very long nap!)<br />
<br />
The scenario seemed (to my adult brain) over the top ridiculous so i spent a long time trying to see things through her eyes. And I guess it isn't really so different after all. Her need to be respected, her need to be heard and understood and supported. She has a 2 year old's communication skills and assertiveness and at this stage in her life she needs advocates. I wondered how many times it probably happened that she had done a painting or a drawing and a helpful adult had written her name on and she had thought "but I'm Ava today" or had been cheering her on while she ran "really fast" and they said "what is your name, oh that's right, Meredith" and all these little interactions built up inside her. And the origin of all of them was the name I had given her today. And how often do I do that in my other relationships? Make assumptions of what people need based on what I think without checking first? Listen but not reflectively?<br />
I am so thankful for the lessons these children teach me, for the way they give me pause.erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-16215018676488101072015-02-27T21:55:00.000-08:002015-02-27T22:38:59.004-08:00In Defence of the DefensiveI hear the phrase 'the strong willed child' bandied around a bit. It makes me wonder. Especially when I hear it being used to describe very young children, the under two's... or as if it is some kind of affliction, a hardship, something terrible for parents to deal with.<br />
<br />
I know there is a whole world of children who behave unpredictably due to allergies, food issues, difficulties like autism and myriad other things and I'm not referring to this level of need. I'm talking about the run of the mill small child who wants to do what they want to do, not what they are being told to do.<br />
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I hear about the 4 year old who won't go to bed... the one year old who insists on feeding themselves, the two year old who won't get their shoes on, the child who doesn't want to go to the park, who doesn't want to leave the park. I've got some of them around here. They learn best by testing limits not by being told, they don't like the word no, and their reaction to it is often loud, explosive and frustrating!!!<br />
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It's easy to put a label on kids, 'strong willed' is one I am especially hesitant to hand out. I think when we do this we absolve ourselves from thinking too deeply about what our child's behaviour might really be expressing, and the onus is not so much on us to nurture that strength as to feel justified in our irritation at our children's will not lining up with our own.<br />
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Things I find helpful to think about when my children are being extra stroppy:<br />
<br />
How well am I listening to them?<br />
Are they feeling connected to me? Do I stop and listen when they tell me something important? If not, I can hardly expect them to do the same for me.<br />
<br />
How many decisions are they getting to make about their day?<br />
Imagine having other people make every decision for you: when you woke,. when and what you ate, what you wore, where you went, what you did...sometimes I feel like this as it is and I hate it! Just like some adults struggle against too much routine, some children seem more sensitive to the perception of control. What decisions can I hand over to them? Where can I ask for their opinion? Dinner menus? Where I'm going to park when I go to the library? What I'm going to wear?<br />
<br />
How much am I saying 'no' to them?<br />
they might have been asking to do lots of things I can't allow, I may have been stopping them drawing on walls or hitting siblings, I'm not suggesting we should encourage this behaviour but if all they are hearing is no from me, how can I expect them to answer all my requests with an enthusiastic yes? Sometimes this takes creativity...but it's not too hard to say 'I see you want to do some drawing, lets get you some paper. When you're done we could come back and clean that wall together!'<br />
<br />
Is what I am insisting they do really that important?<br />
Sometimes it might feel that way to me when truly, truly in the grand scheme of things it doesn't. It's fairly short-sighted of me to think that their future as a functional human being hinges entirely on this one interaction, on their following this one instruction. Worth considering. <br />
<br />
Finally I keep in mind their future<br />
I was a stubborn, strong willed child, my parents tell stories which now are hilarious about me refusing to get out of the bath... going to bed naked rather than wear pyjamas I hadn't personally chosen... at the time I can imagine my poor mother wanting to bang her head against the wall and wishing trademe was invented so she could list me on it. Now my stubbornness allows me to hang on to my principles even when others don't share them. It allows me to be optimistic and search doggedly for solutions in some really dark and despairing times, to sit in the middle of chaos on really crazy days and laugh at that small funny thing that happened earlier because I am not going to be overcome by mess or noise or lack of energy or my stupidly long to do list. It means I enjoy life even when life sucks... because I am determined to! If you can take some time to get outside the way their behaviour is affecting you right now and focus on the long term view, you just might feel differently about them. Having a postive view of my child and their quirks makes a huge difference in my relationship with them.<br />
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erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-48942308174230013182015-01-26T20:06:00.000-08:002015-01-26T20:06:16.777-08:00crying over crushed weet-bix...One of those moments today that showed me how much i need to work on my listening!<br />
<br />
I was busy today, had lots to get done in a short space of time. And I needed the kitchen tidy to do it. I instructed everyone to eat their breakfast so I could get dishes through and of course Mister 7 went slowly.<br />
I was irritated. I wanted it done, I wanted him to do it and rather than being helpful, I seethed.<br />
I know this kid. He's like me. Unless he's had his breakfast he's useless at organising breakfast. Especially if he's been up for a while. And he's volatile with low blood sugar. And it would've been a small thing to sit next to his distracted self and explain, and offer to help and gently keep him on task. But I wanted someone to look out for <u>me</u> this morning. I felt stressed and harried and that was all I could see.<br />
The whole situation culminated in me not putting enough milk with his weet-bix... and mashing them up even though he told me he didn't like it that way... with him crying and running out of the room.... with me grumping... with lots of back and forth... with me thinking how trivial his upsets were and how hard it is to deal with such ridiculous people all day and then suddenly it struck me and I managed to be the adult in the situation (I guess SOMEBODY had to do it!!) "It makes you sad when I don't listen doesn't it?" I observed "YES" he wailed and just like that his posture changed, he went from being an angry, tense, little person to being my sweet soft and cuddly one. I apologised for not stopping to listen, explained that I was feeling a bit stressed that I had so much to do and that I had been so caught up in what I wanted that I hadn't stopped to help him with his breakfast when he needed it. And in a flash, the breakfast was eaten and he was gone and my kitchen was clear just the way I wanted.<br />
It was about the weet-bix. But it wasn't really about the weet-bix. It was about me not knowing how he likes it, about me not caring, about me not listening, about me railroading him with my agenda. I just happened to do it with weet-bix.<br />
I guess this is what it will be like with this kid. I am unlikely ever to be able to completely set myself aside, to be the perfect parent. We will have these clashes, these disconnected discordant times followed by fervent resolutions, times of deep connection and appreciation.<br />
I strive to learn the ins and outs of him though, the deep waters, the ways we can be unified, to be not just a provider for him but a friend, someone he can trust to always have his best interests at heart.<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-69141970929639655202014-12-15T01:24:00.000-08:002014-12-15T01:24:00.241-08:00tantrumsI don't punish tantrums. I don't give time out for tantrums, I don't ignore them, I don't battle them. I'm not a fan mind you, they interrupt my life and hurt my ears...<br />
When my eldest daughter was small she only threw one or two. She was one of those children you should never have first because you think you've got this parenting thing sussed. Then her brother was born. He was one of those who shatters that illusion. He threw tantrums the like of which I had only read about. Epic, long-lived, desperate, inconsolable tantrums. About many things. About waking up after naps. About arriving places. About leaving places. About shoes. About bedtime. About nothing I could fathom.<br />
I had been taught that the swifter you dealt with this sort of behaviour the better chance you had of nipping it in the bud. But he was a good and patient teacher and gave me many many chances to learn how to be truly patient and loving and supportive. And that rather than 'dealing with' this behaviour I was there to guide him through it, to give him the skills to manage the storms and to address the needs driving it.<br />
I learned to wait, to be there for him, to hold him when he needed it but to give him the time and space to calm down. Eventually he outgrew this phase, as his ability to communicate his needs increased, when he stopped taking naps, and little by little through his life he has learned to calm himself down quicker and to consider the effects of his behaviour on others. Now he is seven he still has ways to go but i am so proud of how he is learning to handle himself and his overwhelming emotions.<br />
Now his two little sisters are carrying the torch. I often think things would be less bumpy for them if they were singletons as I would be able to listen better to one child at a time, I would be asking them to wait less. But they're not, so sometimes things get very loud around here. We're getting there though. One of them doesn't like to be held at first. Then she wants her snugglies and time on the couch with me. The other wants to be held straight away while she calms down, very close and tight. Kind of works out especially when they go down at the same time!<br />
<br />
Useful things to say:<br />
'how can I help you?'<br />
'when you've calmed down you can tell me what you need and I'll do my best to help'<br />
'I'm here for you when you're ready'<br />
'it's so tough when you have to wait/ find something else to play with/ give the toy back/ wait for your turn etc'<br />
'I wish I knew what you needed, we'll get better at this'<br />
<br />
tantrums unfortunately aren't confined to toddler years, but the same principles apply. Helping children calm down is a priority. Then helping them express what they need. As they mature they can then begin to understand that their behaviour has a direct bearing on others and they can start to see from others point of view how their shouting etc wasn't helpful. Once they're calm of course! <br />
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<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-45804160854523200872014-12-12T01:22:00.000-08:002014-12-12T01:22:49.572-08:00time after timeMy two smallest have reached 2 years 5 months. They have just had a big developmental leap surrounding the perceptions of time.<br />
For small people their understanding of time is often limited to right now. We ask them to wait and they meltdown because to them, anything beyond now is sort of equivalent to never. You may try and prompt them to tell about something exciting that happened yesterday or last week and they look at you blankly.<br />
I was buckling one of them into her carseat the other day and she told me a story of something that had happened to her last time she was being put in her carseat. We got home from playcentre and Aunty was regaled with a story of the friend they had been playing with that morning. And suddenly, just like that they have a past! They have the ability and the tools to see a specific event and describe it without it having to be seen and experienced in the present.<br />
Simultaneously I am noticing that the future is more tangible too. Whereas before asking them to wait for a glass of milk while I finished what I was doing must have felt like a flat refusal suddenly they are able to understand that even if it doesn't happen this instant, it will still happen. After many months of them wanting everything all at once and right now, they can understand 'finish this first, then you can have that'. That's one less tantrum in my day!<br />
I'd love to know exactly what's happening inside that makes this new way of thinking possible.<br />
<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-17165296849012572092014-12-07T02:07:00.000-08:002014-12-07T02:07:04.043-08:00Learning to ListenIt's been a year of enormous changes for me. Without going into too much detail I am now living with my sister and her two kids (instant 6 kid household!) and I have just started feeling like myself again after an extremely turbulent year.<br />
<br />
I would like to say I have dealt with every challenge with serenity and patience but that wouldn't be <i>strictly</i> true. More accurately I have been given the opportunity to develop my empathy with the children in my household and to feel their bewilderment at the big emotions that overwhelm them all at times. From tantrumming two year olds to pouting ten year olds, where I might once have reacted with frustration and been tempted to punish their behaviour instead I am learning to listen. To offer my support, to wait with them until the storm subsides and life seems reasonable again.<br />
<br />
It's not easy. Sometimes all I want is for them all to leave me alone, just for an hour where noone wants to touch me. Sometimes I just want to shout out all my frustrations or have someone listen to ME!! But the more I hold them close, the more I listen, the more I say things like 'how can I help you calm down?'or 'you sound like you need a hug!' I find I feel peaceful, connected and they're listening. When I say 'can you trust me to help you come up with a solution? lets work together to figure this out? do you need my help or have you got this one?' they listen.<br />
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Not that everything goes smoothly all the time but when things get rocky because of the big stuff or even just because someone didn't get the right fruit in their lunchbox, we're learning how to just be there for each other.<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-49243207620017089212014-12-05T01:57:00.000-08:002014-12-11T01:23:21.706-08:00Christmas advent-uresJust over a year ago my lovely sister and her two daughters came to stay and sort of never left... actually as two single mums we found that the support we were able to offer each other was AWESOME and it was so fun to be finally in the same house since childhood!!<br />
<br />
For the kids the transition wasn't quite so easy. At first it was fun, but then the gritty reality of living with so many others kicked in. We had two 6 year olds who just didn't really gel. Two 8 year olds who needed as much time on their own as they enjoyed together... and found the 6 year olds a little annoying... and two 1 year olds who were just... well 1 year olds. Actually they were fine. But they got fought over a bit.<br />
<br />
Come December we decided to make our own experience based advent calendar...actually the decision was something like 'those kids are going to bond if it kills us both and if it comes to that at least we'll know they'll take turns with the spade!!!' So we planned 24 activities and hoped for the best! Every day they kids would find a note they took turns reading to the others and they would speculate all day over what was coming. Then at the appointed time a basket on the table would mysteriously fill with whatever they needed for the activity to take place. We were all reminiscing the other day and trying to remember them all... and we couldn't so I shall share some of the most memorable. Some were elaborate, some very simple...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>colouring a giant christmas tree from <a href="http://www.mrprintables.com/christmas-coloring-pages-for-kids.html" target="_blank">Mr Printables</a></li>
<li>pavement chalk drawing</li>
<li>a Christmas dance party (the basket provided snacks and some decorations and we made a playlist for the occasion)</li>
<li>Christmas cookie decorating</li>
<li>writing and sending Christmas cards</li>
<li>making paper snowflakes</li>
<li>Christmas movie and popcorn</li>
<li>scavenger hunt at a local beach (we made a driftwood star for the top of our tree which we still have for this year!!)</li>
<li>attending a Christmas concert</li>
<li>a spa night (face masks, manicures, foot massages. My sister and I dressed up and adopted Scandinavian accents for the occasion and engaged the fascinated and amused customers in polite conversation. Hilarious. )</li>
<li>making Christmas decorations </li>
<li>making paper houses</li>
<li>crazy photo night</li>
<li>games night</li>
<li>some fake snow messy play using <a href="http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/01/erupting-snow-recipe.html" target="_blank">this recipe from Growing a Jeweled Rose.</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
The whispers, the giggles, the 'remember when's... although the pace was frantic and required us to be far more organised than I have ever been in my life for 24 consecutive days the payoff was huge. The shared experiences have led to a treasure trove of shared memories and they became a unit, a household, the sensational six. After Christmas my nieces were away for a few days, when they got back the reunion was so lovely, they were so happy just being together.<br />
Now when they are all just milling round together, or the now 7 year olds are intently involved in some fabulously imaginative game together, or the 9 year olds are choosing to have their alone time in the same room, it's hard to remember there was ever a time when they just sort of didn't gel.<br />
<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-42232903689131274872014-11-29T19:15:00.000-08:002014-11-29T19:15:47.259-08:00You try saying 'why did the chicken cross the road' in an angry voice...<i>Yet another post I forgot to post. Blame it on the twins! Written Nov 2012. Enjoy!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Life is crazy around here lots of the time. Especially outside school hours. There are babies needing me, and 8 year old with important things to tell me and a 5 year old. A newly started at school five year old. A really tired newly started at school 5 year old.<br />
<br />
He has adjusted so well to having to share me with two demanding babies, but that was when he was at home most of the time. I have noticed as the weeks have gone by that we are starting to argue more, he raises his voice, I raise mine, he raises his more... (notice he always starts it! Who else!!!)<br />
It got to the stage the other week where I was so sick of it. Sick mostly of my own bad behaviour and that I was modelling perfectly tired 5 year old grumps. It comes so naturally to me!!<br />
<br />
I called a meeting, just Mr 5 and I. What can we do to stop us grumping at each other was the topic up for discussion. I had an idea that we have a word, something safe, unconnected to anything we're talking about and silly, as silly as possible. A word that either one of us could call which would mean 'stop and adjust the way you're talking. Now.' A way I could avoid having to say 'don't use that tone of voice with me young man' a million times a day in exactly the tone of voice I wanted him to stop using. Pretty cool plan I thought. But we went with his.<br />
<br />
'Okay Mum, this is what we're going to do. When you hear me start to get angry just hurry up and tell me a joke'<br />
Ooh yes, I'd far rather exercise my puerile sense of humour than my puerile bad behaviour!erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0New Zealand-42.189454662801211 174.7265625-66.310626162801213 133.4179685 -18.068283162801212 -143.96484350000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-69711384533763437592014-11-23T14:44:00.000-08:002014-11-23T14:44:49.352-08:00ObedienceI don't like it and it's not a goal for my kids.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, when I yell 'don't run on the road' I expect them to stop and do what I've told them. Even in less life and death situations I also expect them to do what I ask, to tidy their rooms, to take their dirty plates to the kitchen bench, to get dressed before school. But not simply because they are obedient.<br />
I want them to do those things because I asked them to and they respect me enough to listen to my requests, because they trust I have their best interests at heart, because they are part of our family and we work together to make sure all the jobs get done, because they aren't arrogantly and self-centredly assuming that the world owes them and they shouldn't have to do their bit to make things happen. And because going to school in your pyjamas is a bit silly.<br />
<br />
So I don't teach my kids obedience, I teach them respect. I teach them helpfulness, kindness, teamwork. I teach them delay of gratification, to do the work before they have the fun and rewards. Above all I work hard to give them the time and reassurance they need to know I love them.<br />
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I also teach them that if I have asked them something at an inconvenient time, or something unreasonable, that they are welcome to lovingly and respectfully let me know. Sometimes i will agree, sometimes I won't but I will listen with respect their point of view as I expect them to listen to mine.<br />
<br />
This means my kids may appear less obedient than others sometimes. I don't put them on the naughty step or in time out. I am not punishing my kids when they disobey me or rewarding them when they do what I say. I am taking a slower more circuitous route which means they are learning some pretty big concepts which feed into all the relationships they do, or will ever, have.<br />
<br />
Some useful things to say:<br />
'can you say that again in a loving and respectful tone of voice',<br />
'when you said/ did that, how do you think they felt?'<br />
'go and calm yourself down then you can come back and make it right'<br />
'lets get this job done and then we can play a game/ enjoy our dessert/...'<br />
'here are the jobs that need to be done, which one would you like to do?'<br />
<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-50509481155090674902013-08-18T14:21:00.000-07:002013-08-18T14:21:09.596-07:00NegotiationNot sure why I never hit publish on this 2 years ago but hey, today's as good a day as any!!!<br />
<br />
Date unkown.<br />
<br />
Mr3: 'Raaah look out everybody, the lava will burn you up, quick run and hide the lava is coming!'<br />
Miss 6 (in full princess regalia, walking sedately carrying a bouquet of parsley) 'W do you want to play with me?'<br />
'sure, I'm a dinosaur and the volcano just exploded, we have to hide!'<br />
'but I'm a princess and I'm getting married today'<br />
'oh.. okay, then I can rescue you, climb up on this bridge'<br />
'no, it's not a bridge it's a boat!<br />
'oh. no, the boat's starting to burn!'<br />
'it's on fire, we'll have to jump out!'<br />
'quick, here's the fire extinguisher'<br />
<br />
Today a princess having a wedding and a fireman dinosaur rescuing people from a lava spewing volcano found common ground. Amazing. Adults couldn't do it. I am thinking the power to compromise was aided by their imagination. Why couldn't a volcano interrupt your wedding?<br />
<br />
Imagination is something I prize. I believe if they hang on to that quality they will be much better able as adults to 'walk a mile in someone elses shoes', to concede that perhaps that rude shop assistant is having a bad day, that theirs might be the 30th difficult call that call centre worker has taken today, to imagine that although things may seem bleak right now good things may well be right around the corner, that there is a way to solve this problem if they try hard enough, they will never be bored.<br />
<br />
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<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-10110524463207145302013-07-30T17:48:00.000-07:002013-07-30T17:48:19.463-07:00forcing the issueI like to think as I grow older I'm getting better at thinking like a small person.<br />
<br />
Miss 18 months was playing in a little play enclosure, it comes with just a few toys and it's a popular piece of equipment. I have seen kids of all ages use it in vastly different ways. Miss 2 came along and wanted in. It is definitely big enough for 2 willing children (and I do stress willing) but as I was supervising both girls I figured we could play a nice game with one out and one in. This we did for quite some time. Then Miss 2 wanted in. Miss 18 months registered her protest by screeching and looking very unhappy but she stayed her ground. Things held steady for a few minutes then in the space of a blink miss 2 had a handful of hair and was reaching for the other girls face. Luckily her mum was close by and she was swept up and off to something safer pretty quickly and I was left to deal with the now furious 2 year old.<br />
From an adult perspective I see this: a child with no right or claim to a play space, not even the right of 'I was there first' is unjustifiably furious with another child for no reason other than a pig-headed refusal to let her have anything that looks good. So easy to go in with guns blazing and growl, force apology or enforce punishment. And probably quite justifiable too. But in this case I put my arms round her and listened 'she was in my way, I wanted her to go away' 'that must've made you feel really cross' 'yes, really cross'<br />
What logic can I apply here? 'she wasn't in your way, she was doing her own thing?' well, she kind of was in my way, I was doing a thing too... 'suck it kiddo, you're going to have to concede a whole lot worse than that in your life!!!' Yeah, that was about all I could think of to say so I stopped with a cuddle and something along the lines of 'it's really hard to share sometimes'.<br />
But it is!!! This kid is about to have a sibling arrive, sometimes sharing will be a complete joy to her but fairly often it will be tedious and annoying.<br />
I think of how much I relate to those beautiful little mutinous pursed lips. Lately I've had to let my husband take over in the kitchen far more often than i like. Not that I'm any great cook but I have ways I like things done, places I like things to go, I'm left handed... and although I'm grateful I get to rest half of me is conserving my energy until I can get up and put everything back the way I want it. With fairly bad grace usually I might add. It's not MY kitchen or MY space or MY stuff and yet... sometimes it's so hard to share.<br />
We'll both get there in the end but for now, that little play enclosure to those small girls, strictly a one player game. The other can come and play with me somewhere else while she waits.erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-87077112468911914802013-03-06T19:25:00.000-08:002013-03-06T19:25:15.627-08:00Learning adventures<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3KdKcdPLjw2YWZhGfb5HeVl-SzD26cJXOxJHKrKRva8P-YzJu1AqOrkhzd1-U6EtPl-HdmjxfrldgLCq5a1Id7XfJ7GV4agDwC8Y0nLgEoTtptzPog5ChPHV26baii0LfgTjsGPy0gI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3KdKcdPLjw2YWZhGfb5HeVl-SzD26cJXOxJHKrKRva8P-YzJu1AqOrkhzd1-U6EtPl-HdmjxfrldgLCq5a1Id7XfJ7GV4agDwC8Y0nLgEoTtptzPog5ChPHV26baii0LfgTjsGPy0gI/s200/001.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Synchronised playing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My wee girls are almost 8 months, time is racing by! I find myself doing a lot of caretaking (feeding, nose wiping, nappy changing) but just realised how much they are learning even when I am not interacting with them (perhaps particularly then!) Time to capture some moments and of course to remember that everything I do is contributing to helping them unfold into little learners!!!<br />
<br />
Today they had their first big play outside! The sun has lost some of it's ferocity so decided to set them up on the deck after lunch. They had a very interesting quilt to lie on, some familiar toys and lots of unfamiliar things to look at and explore.<br />
Thing 2 discovered that if she lay on her back and beat her legs on the deck it made a neat sound<br />
Thing 1 found an ice cream container and explored the possibilities that involved! She tried to chew it, she turned it round and round in her hands, she scratched it with her fingers and explored the texture and the sound.<br />
They both spent lots of time looking at the sky.<br />
Their attention was held for a long time by the colours and patterns and textures in the quilt (which also had large buttons sewn on it - extra interesting!).<br />
Thing 2 crawled off the quilt and onto the deck and felt the texture of the ridges of wood with her fingers.<br />
<br />
And because I am a playcentre nerd:<br />
<br />
Links to <a href="http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/learning/curriculumAndLearning/TeWhariki.aspx" target="_blank">Te Whaariki</a><br />
Strand 5 -exploration<br />
Goal 1 : Children experience an environment where their play is valued as meaningful learning and the importance of spontaneous play is recognised.<br />
<i>I was nearby as I hung out my washing and took pictures but I took care not to intrude and not to divert their attention.<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Goal 2: </span>Children experience an environment where they gain confidence in and control of their bodies.<br />
<i>They had a safe spot where they could practise moving and interesting things they could reach for and be encouraged to move towards.</i><br />
<br />
Goal 3: Children experience an environment where they learn strategies for active exploration thinking and reasoning.<br />
<i>They had plenty of new visual and sensory experiences and uninterrupted time to explore them.</i><br />
<br />
Goal 4: Children experience an environment where they develop working theories for making sense of the natural, social, physical and material worlds.<br />
<i>They were able to experience light and shade, the contrast of warmth and cool. They were able to view some familiar things and try familiar experiences in unfamiliar territory. Sometimes with very different results!</i>erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-38426565408007988402012-11-15T14:52:00.000-08:002012-11-15T14:52:42.974-08:00To each, their own.Or, why I am the crazy lady who refuses to attempt to get her twins into the same 'schedule'<br />
<br />
Scheduling babies. My current irk.<br />
I am not a schedules person. I love organising grand routines for how I am going to get my housework done, how I am going to tackle a large job by breaking it up into smaller bits and deciding exactly when I am going to tackle each part... my house is littered with evidence of such organisation! Execution... not my strong point. I can manage to do the same thing each day for approximately 3 days before i get bored and feel the need to rearrange all my furniture. Who am I kidding, probably 1 day's my real limit!!!<br />
<br />
When I had my first child every mum I knew loved Babywise. You may be familiar, 3 hourly, eat, play, sleep cycles, baby sleeping all night at 6 weeks... I was well aware that my time for knowing everything about babies ended approximately 5 minutes before giving birth so I soaked up all the advice like a sponge and followed the advised baby schedules to the best of my ability.<br />
<br />
Then I had my second child. I realised that what I thought was me following a schedule with my first was just her being an easy to read baby who was happy to go along with me. This one was a totally different beast. I couldn't just put him to bed most of the time, I needed to lie down with him on my chest to help him relax enough for sleep. I couldn't feed him more or less 3 hourly. Often it was more or less hourly. If he was tired he didn't want to be put in his bed so he could snuggle his blanket, blink his beautiful eyes at me, give me a slight smile and drift off to sleep. And when he grew into a toddler I remember looking at him and having a scary sort of lightbulb moment. I realised I did not know this child at all. I had never met him before. I didn't know how to make sure he listened to me, I didn't know how to give him instructions in a language he would respond to. I didn't know what made him happy or sad because he was a completely new person unfolding before my eyes. It was scary because I realised how much I had to learn and exciting because I couldn't wait to find out.<br />
<br />
Then I had twins.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/304881_10151133331983885_1970605072_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/304881_10151133331983885_1970605072_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they still do love sleeping together...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the first 6 weeks or so I changed, fed put them back to bed together. It was so easy! Well, relatively. Because I was tending to all their needs at the same time it took only a fraction longer than if I was looking after only one baby. Then one day No2 kept herself awake most of the day, fighting against those heavy eyelids and crying everytime she fell asleep dammit! Just her, not her sister. It was around then I realised I didn't have one lot of two babies, I had two lots of one baby. So I backed off watching the clock, backed off waking up the sleeping baby in order to make things easier. I made for myself a bit of a baby feeding marathon as I would feed one, then both, then the other... then all over again, sometimes all day. They would take turns having times where I had no idea of their 'sleep cues' so couldn't anticipate the tired crying so threw some stressed out baby rocking into the mix. And hours of feeding, crying, feeding, crying from their overtired state. From them and me. There have been plenty of times when I have left babies crying alone in their beds as I have been dealing with one baby and the other one has had to wait. Heartbreaking. Or after an all night baby marathon I'd be dying for a nap but they would never both be asleep at the same time. Then things started to get easier, I got a bit more sleep (and got better at sleeping sitting up...) and some strange things have happened.<br />
1) with very little conscious effort from me the babies have synced up again, not around my will but more around the ebb and flow of our household combined with their rhythms<br />
2) we have some guaranteed nap times<br />
3) they are happy, chilled out babies. They can cope with being alone, they are happy to play in their beds before sleeping and one of them on waking (the other usually wakes sounding as if cannibals are nibbling her toes)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0rdkBnlc-rJNWXyV6uX1t57Rjyi6bpjQ9Ks2y3pUb3HxNyUpH2JUiHVFmUp8MFsSI5G40F1ugIRK6S7dlokmoxFXF9th6k61gdm5tsoKHgUjlCEpImJd33VfwVkm3UsBlzMyZWVUZ-8/s1600/2012-08-04+08.36.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0rdkBnlc-rJNWXyV6uX1t57Rjyi6bpjQ9Ks2y3pUb3HxNyUpH2JUiHVFmUp8MFsSI5G40F1ugIRK6S7dlokmoxFXF9th6k61gdm5tsoKHgUjlCEpImJd33VfwVkm3UsBlzMyZWVUZ-8/s200/2012-08-04+08.36.54.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stressed out by looking after 2 babies at once</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4) I see how quickly things are changing for them. I can respond to No2's extra sleepy day by not stressing out that the extra long nap she's taking will mess up her night sleeping and throw her routine out. I can respond to No1's need for extra feeds by.. well.. feeding her extra! And I know that although today might be really hard, tomorrow is bound not to be (and vice versa for the pessimist in me!!!) and I am taking my little girls as they come at their own speed. And they're only 4 months. Lots more changes to come!<br />
<br />
So that's why.<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-79463377753910934282012-10-31T13:52:00.000-07:002012-10-31T13:52:13.299-07:00Hi there. As it has been nearly a year since I last posted anything, I strongly suspect I am merely talking t myself now. Which is fine by me!<br />
Since I started this blog with the usual good intentions of keeping my brain active through writing regularly on topics of fascination to me, I have conceived, carried, given birth to and nurtured currently 3 month old twin girls. Yes - super gorgeous identical twin girls!!! Hence the goal of keeping my brain active became a futile one a long time ago.<br />
Instead I will attempt to hijack my own blog for rants. Just don't expect careful research and please bear in mind I probably haven't slept much lately!!!<br />
Look forward to getting used to hearing my own voice again!!erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-66896253182161788962012-05-17T01:13:00.000-07:002012-05-17T01:14:12.187-07:00Cast of CharactersWell, it's been a while since I have written anything but I have a whole new phase going on around here I'm looking forward to sharing!<br />
<br />
My now Mr 4 is transforming. With a vengeance. He is fully engaged in being different characters and we have quite a cast, I never know who will be coming to visit. He will disappear for a time, often outside where I hear bike wheels on the driveway followed by a knock on the door.<br />
<br />
So far we have:<br />
<u>Santa</u> - you may be familiar with him, he says ho ho ho a lot and gives everyone presents. He has hundreds of children apparently that my son loves to play with so we always have nice long visits. After he goes I always find all sorts of fun things stashed in fun bags and parcels and boxes waiting for me to find them.<br />
<br />
<u>Williams measure</u> - he comes with his ruler and his tool kit. Everyone knows that to fix and build stuff you have to have an accurate set of measurements. He has a nice deep voice and is great at spotting all the broken stuff around the place.<br />
<br />
<u>Pirate Will</u> - he says 'arrgh' and always offers to help. He's a very helpful and good pirate, he often shows up when I am doing dishes or folding washing. He doesn't have a parrot, apparently he doesn't like them, just normal birds. I can tell it's him by his hat and his pirate accent.<br />
<br />
<u>Dr Vehicle</u> - the first time he showed up was when my daughter had hurt herself. He tried very hard to heal her with music he played on the keyboard, as the latest research dictates. He doesn't smile or laugh much but he likes to discuss things he knows and things he's finding out about.<br />
<br />
<u>Eugene</u> - I have a bit of a soft spot for Eugene. He walks with a swagger and he's just cool. He always gives me fabulous compliments, I think he does okay with the ladies. When he arrives he always swaggers in with a super cool lift of the chin and says 'hi, how're you doing'<br />
<br />
It delights me that his personas are just accepted by the whole family and no one blinks an eye when he's suddenly someone else.<br />
<br />
I also love when the 'real' Mr4 returns, that the reunion is just as good as when he has actually been somewhere else for a whole day, we have so much to catch up on!<br />
<br />
I find it hilarious and fascinating that we all get so much into the swing of things that I do actually feel like I have someone else visiting. His observation and attention to detail is quite remarkable.<br />
<br />
I wonder though, I am doing some transforming myself, I am incubating twins so the change is becoming quite dramatic! His phase started soon after mine did - I can't help but wonder if the two are linked! His Mum, and our entire family are in the process of becoming something quite different, I could be waxing far too philosophical but I just wonder if it's a way for him to explore these ideas of things and people changing.<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-51698998924757385672011-12-06T22:36:00.001-08:002011-12-06T23:20:46.288-08:00The Power of PraiseI read an article recently in <a href="http://www.thenaturalparent.co.nz/">this magazine</a> which really challenged my thinking. If I misquote any please forgive me, I was waiting for someone while I read it, don't have a copy so I can't refer to it.... but I have been thinking about it so much since.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzTtjMtgaLjJ9mkMUbDYl5YJlMsXgHWe4dJsW8CXA-gp1yP7y2ZftzLjB1kgJwADDYSCyifvuUbwHSHRYckXYmcgiw058ZFSB2B_gMfEzj_2UtiDYMmzuFrZps9jRWI6EF6IWQ2GIlio/s1600/richdiesslin_pavlovs_dog.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzTtjMtgaLjJ9mkMUbDYl5YJlMsXgHWe4dJsW8CXA-gp1yP7y2ZftzLjB1kgJwADDYSCyifvuUbwHSHRYckXYmcgiw058ZFSB2B_gMfEzj_2UtiDYMmzuFrZps9jRWI6EF6IWQ2GIlio/s200/richdiesslin_pavlovs_dog.gif" width="200" /></a>Basically it was about what our praise does to our kids. We praise our kids for everything, which is cool, we do it because we think they're great, and because we want them to keep doing all the good stuff they do. Like classical conditioning, we're trying to reward their good behaviour so they have pleasant associations with it and want to keep doing it. But what if kids aren't like little animals? What if they're critically thinking individuals with their own minds, ideas and wills?<br />
I can't quote the sources but according to some studies quoted in the article, when kids were praised for sharing with other kids they actually shared less. It appears all the 'good sharing honey' stuff made the act of sharing into a way to get praise from a parent. Counter-intuitive huh?<br />
<br />
The alternative: non-judgemental observations. Facts.<br />
<br />
To say 'wow, good painting' makes painting something that's good or bad. To say 'look at your big brush strokes' or 'gee you've used lots of colours!!' allows painting to be something experimental, something that can be enjoyed for the brush strokes and the colours. Children are given the opportunity to decide for themselves if it's 'good' Or what about just 'you look like you're having fun!'<br />
<br />
Let sharing be about making other people feel good. Instead of 'good job' try 'look at how much she's enjoying that toy' 'look at his big smile, see how happy he is that you gave him a turn on the digger'<br />
<br />
I want my children to feel good about their creative selves, to feel confident in the value of their own explorations. I don't want them to grow up needing to seek other people's good opinions of themselves or their work to feel satisfied or worthy.<br />
<br />erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-35141698040834134592011-07-10T21:12:00.000-07:002011-07-10T21:12:01.064-07:00My 3 year old is quilting!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4Mj1brMnAS80uS-vvC-ajO_BwPqdaZdW4df0hO61D9j-4irkVLL3u-L7i8-bKdWYvgYgATOlAL2PulqhVWsJsbHH9w3GsPaJTMvOXmkqeV8eft4h5Jb9yzxQCO7lwlNou15zf5UQ7c0/s1600/100_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4Mj1brMnAS80uS-vvC-ajO_BwPqdaZdW4df0hO61D9j-4irkVLL3u-L7i8-bKdWYvgYgATOlAL2PulqhVWsJsbHH9w3GsPaJTMvOXmkqeV8eft4h5Jb9yzxQCO7lwlNou15zf5UQ7c0/s200/100_0790.JPG" width="200" /></a>Yesterday we were in a fabric shop. We were the only customers. Mr 3 ran from display to display declaring 'this is what I want, it's so yellow' 'this is what I want, it feels so smooth' 'look at this Mum, this is amazing, it has sparkles' ooh I love this golden one, this is what I want' But it was when he proclaimed 'I wish I didn't have my own house, I wish I had a fabric shop to live in' that the shop owner was thoroughly won over. He presented Mr 3 with a fat quater of quilting fabric he could keep. At first glance he saw it was brown and was not exactly thrilled. But then he saw the diggers and concrete mixers printed on it and fell in love. He spent the rest of the day stroking it, folding and unfolding it, showing it to people, musing over what he could make it into... any fabric addicts out there, does any of this sound familiar!!! He was torn between a blanket to snuggle under or a blanket to have a picnic on. I suggested we see what Grandma had in her fabric stash that we could use with it (I always like to be generous with Grandma's stash!!!) and that we could make the blanket first before he decided. "Yes, good idea' he agreed 'it needs some orange. And some blue. And green' and when we were in the cave of delights that is my mothers sewing room 'Sparkles. And could we put some beads on it'<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU3FhiWzfHOUgJifx24hNwllVVnsj-qFPIVeUcUAobxO-eprO7VAluFPuHC91q_gf0XgeVoMUSgi6cy-iclj89RremgkKFcEVgrMPyjk2EWOWZiwhyphenhyphenZ9v1ST3Cg9tpGbEUeNiBirbBpo/s1600/100_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU3FhiWzfHOUgJifx24hNwllVVnsj-qFPIVeUcUAobxO-eprO7VAluFPuHC91q_gf0XgeVoMUSgi6cy-iclj89RremgkKFcEVgrMPyjk2EWOWZiwhyphenhyphenZ9v1ST3Cg9tpGbEUeNiBirbBpo/s200/100_0792.JPG" width="200" /></a>I dutifully made it up into a very simple (quick!) quilt top and was pondering hard over how to quilt it so the pattern of his precious fabric wouldn't be obscured. I ran idea past him. 'Ummm... no. I want small squares around each digger and rectangles on the orange part and triangles on the blue.' While I sewed he sat beside me working the foot pedal. Or sat on my knee guiding the fabric with his hands. And he chose thread colours, nearly forgot that, by lining up all the available colours on the strip to be quilted and choosing which looked the best. I didn't think it would be him being mini me!!<br />
<br />
Anyone who knows me knows 2 things: I like to buck the trends on formal early childhood education and I like to follow my children's interests and see what magical places they can take me. Us. Well, them really but I get so much out of it too. This scenario is a cool story but more than that it screams opportunity to me. And one I am loath to miss. And not just because I will jump on any reason (excuse?) to start and finish a quilting project!<br />
<br />
So...what has he learned? He has been able to develop his interest in colour, in texture, he has been able to use and extend his vocabulary of adjectives, he has been able to emulate what he sees me and Grandma do with fabric, he has been able to plan a project, he has been able to use his knowledge of geometry in an awesomely meaningful context.<br />
<br />
My response to his learning? I don't know where this is going. I'm trying to be prepared for the next step whatever it might be. I wonder is this about the fabric? the colour? making something? doing something together he knows I love? So far I have given him as much control of the project as I was able to relinquish and still come out with a finished product! I have let him choose the colours of fabric. I didn't give him total free reign here, I picked the actual fabrics and submitted them for his approval, if you saw The Stash you'd know why - we'd still be choosing at Christmas!!! He chose the thread. His picks were interesting and not what I would've chosen sometimes but then what do I know, they look awesome! I'll be asking him for his input in my projects in the future.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tUHZQv-juZVhGHGiP0aJ5fAVKs3hd5ST_a-O7lZAq9jegH6l4YBDVEVJ-5TrYMPgHV9XM_JjgDMWinFbXazJ78XEjEb6G91CQpH8ORqh4j83UgxwyRBhsLEwCuazTt_HOiE5ClVMB_k/s1600/Kaffe+Fasset1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tUHZQv-juZVhGHGiP0aJ5fAVKs3hd5ST_a-O7lZAq9jegH6l4YBDVEVJ-5TrYMPgHV9XM_JjgDMWinFbXazJ78XEjEb6G91CQpH8ORqh4j83UgxwyRBhsLEwCuazTt_HOiE5ClVMB_k/s200/Kaffe+Fasset1.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaffe Fassett knitting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I am on the lookout for more ideas for exploring colour and texture, and I want to introduce him to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFp1Jy5jd4U">Hundertwasser</a> and <a href="http://www.kaffefassett.com/Home.html">Kaffe Fassett</a>. I want to point out the richness of colour and texture in <a href="http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html">The Very Hungry Caterpillar</a> next time we read it.<br />
And the next time I hear the words 'I want to make...' my ears will prick up.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuBDNRl7TADeKDP-8z9L7hAk2E8zkS7kr9OmWsPlP8yctw49CqDUuUEOVDfrznCX35CTHcgCCQFe4J4XrY6N1ATY2IUZ0TXgZ_M4vt128UWgkxje5DIXsqRZH3IV11JIXkqlU8xdEFx4/s1600/Hundertwasser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuBDNRl7TADeKDP-8z9L7hAk2E8zkS7kr9OmWsPlP8yctw49CqDUuUEOVDfrznCX35CTHcgCCQFe4J4XrY6N1ATY2IUZ0TXgZ_M4vt128UWgkxje5DIXsqRZH3IV11JIXkqlU8xdEFx4/s200/Hundertwasser.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundertwasser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>He's getting more than just a quilt out of this. He could be getting a love of making things, a love of fabric, it could be sparking an interest in design or maybe just an assurance that while I may have to say no to lots of his ideas (like ones that involve screwdrivers and small appliances or soccer balls and televisions) I am willing to listen to him, give his thoughts some credence, and support his creativity and help him see his ideas come to fruition.erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-88243722207991237902011-06-14T00:05:00.000-07:002011-06-14T00:05:51.959-07:00The joys of noiseLook what <a href="http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/05/music-wall-rip-music-tree.html">this cool lady did at her house</a>! I am so inspired! I don't know if Mr Tall would appreciate me changing the landscape here on a permanent basis but perhaps something I can dismantle after a play session? We are spending much of every day singing and dancing. The choice of music is currently ABBA for dancing intersprsed with Mr3's versions of church songs with hearty clapping and conducting. Oh and big sisters ballet music, he remembers lots of her exercises!<br />
Music has been such an important part of his journey from babyhood. As a little one he tried every surface for it's noise making properties (either banging or rubbing his fingernails along) and would sit in front of the cd player for inordinate periods of time. We have had a light opera phase a jazz phase, a 70's rock phase, even a kids music phase!!!<br />
It has been the subject of lots of research, the role of music in the development of language, motor skills and social behaviour. When you consider that even our temperament is influenced by the tempo of our pulse it seems like rhythm is an integral part of us. Music can express emotions, help us remember things, relax us, (stress us out!), make work easier, and be a pivotal part of social occasions.<br />
Here are some ideas for extending musical play with children:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Sing! lots, about everything! Use known tunes and change the lyrics. Use your childs name. Make them super silly</li>
</ul><ul><li>Use singing instead of talking. We've gone for nearly a whole day in opera mode!</li>
</ul><ul><li>Invest in ear plugs and hand out the wooden spoons. Encourage children to find which pieces of furniture make the best noise. Obviously discourage the use of windows as drums...</li>
</ul><ul><li>Even pretty small kids pick up the concept of copying rythms either clapping or drumming.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Musical statues! </li>
</ul><ul><li>Please please don't limit listening time to 'kid music' There's a whole world of musical styles out there, quite literally. My favourite radio station to listen to with the kids is <a href="http://www.live365.com/index.live">this compilation of world music</a> but there's heaps more.</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<ul><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxa-RlwVl0D6izFZICmjFEQ-saAk5dN4OoG8We9R5mhOEcizkf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxa-RlwVl0D6izFZICmjFEQ-saAk5dN4OoG8We9R5mhOEcizkf" width="200" /></a>
<li>Use music to reflect a mood. Or create a mood. We have creative time music - Baroque or classical, my favourites are Bach and Mozart, sleepy time music someone gave us this album and it's a real favourite. Small children fall asleep, older children head for cuddly blankets and books to read. Active music is not hard to find, anything with a fast tempo. Can be a good boundary for crazy jumping and running on a wet day.</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
And <a href="http://www.abchomepreschool.com/Music/PreschoolMusicActivities.htm">here's a whole lot more</a>!erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-76327955569684072962011-04-07T23:04:00.000-07:002011-04-07T23:04:39.109-07:00His concession to my schemaIf you read <a href="http://erin-thinkingsmall.blogspot.com/2011/03/world-apart.html">this</a> you know I have a disconnector. I however am a Mum. I have a Mum schema. I prefer my remote with the batteries in. I think toy cars should have wheels. I like my furniture intact. I like things to be tidy enough I can invite friends over and not have those sympathy grimaces. About kid stuff. (I can handle sympathy grimaces over the state of my bath or the spiders living in the ceiling corners)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNqN0IN76AQhbYx8NRKm3grkYLKnNssFV2qCwIMVQ5s9rl9274kLFYNiv7eTHIP-2qSEMz76D8YTMUpVm8yQdADByIZyNSAq3dt705xI6WmIs_Foi7Gj821cdXeElMpRUjnKmSrh7wuA/s1600/disconnectaur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNqN0IN76AQhbYx8NRKm3grkYLKnNssFV2qCwIMVQ5s9rl9274kLFYNiv7eTHIP-2qSEMz76D8YTMUpVm8yQdADByIZyNSAq3dt705xI6WmIs_Foi7Gj821cdXeElMpRUjnKmSrh7wuA/s1600/disconnectaur.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disconnectaur.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sometimes our schemas are at odds.<br />
<br />
Mr Clever has discovered the following: if he puts his toy cars inside the hollow legs of his plastic chairs and table in such a way they wont fall back out, I will actually assist him to dismantle the furniture.<br />
Everybody wins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-18865894300507466232011-04-07T02:01:00.000-07:002011-04-07T02:01:44.139-07:00Questions, questions, questions...I field a million a day. About everything. Apparently I was a 'but why' child too and this second child (not my first, she preferred and still does to tell me stuff!!) has been sent to me to make my mother happy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">W 'Mum why can't I hit the window with a stick' </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">M 'because you might break it' </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">W 'but why' </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">M 'because it's made of glass' </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">W ' but why is it made of glass' </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">M' so we can see through it' </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">W 'but why can we see through it' </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">M 'so I can still know what you're doing when I've put you out there so I can enjoy my coffee in peace' (I always like to stick to scientific facts...)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><br />
I have two theories for the questions. All those questions.<br />
One is that my child is smart and curious. And if the smart and curious is proportional to the amount of stuff he has to know he's probably far smarter than me. He could probably beat Stephen Hawking at chess. And physics.<br />
The other theory is that he really likes to interact with me. Probably not just me but I get to be the lucky one seeing as we're nearly always together.<br />
(I had a theory for a little while that he thinks I'm really smart but that was less about his learning than my need for esteem so I dropped it)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJUPnJI_oDqMPqy2Vw3OpOLwRIuZTPiqwnT-PXbwKDxoPsLcfWUgA4-TYHNCO_GYUUE2cRKtnWEql_g1KLeisPLXHumn4YVwKlEkzsWuuswoYDrAiLhw94qBspDBXadQvkUyhWz0G3z0/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJUPnJI_oDqMPqy2Vw3OpOLwRIuZTPiqwnT-PXbwKDxoPsLcfWUgA4-TYHNCO_GYUUE2cRKtnWEql_g1KLeisPLXHumn4YVwKlEkzsWuuswoYDrAiLhw94qBspDBXadQvkUyhWz0G3z0/s200/007.JPG" width="133" /></a>So here's my tactic: .... if my first theory is correct, he's smart enough to answer his own questions, if my second theory is correct he needs me to interact with him, not necessarily answer his questions. So the following dialogue ensues: <br />
W 'why can't I hit the window with a stick'<br />
M 'I think you are clever enough to figure that out. I'm going to let you think for a bit then I'm going to ask you and see what ideas you have....(long pause (actual long pause, I don't say long pause)...) W, why can't you hit the window with a stick?'<br />
W ' because if it gets broken we have to have that brown tape on the window again'<br />
M 'I knew you'ld come up with an awesome idea!!'<br />
THE END <br />
Seriously, sometimes he likes to ask me for a different idea but it's totally changed the nature and purpose of that interaction. And his ideas are way more fun to listen to than mine.erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-49498976534804125922011-03-23T13:10:00.000-07:002011-03-23T13:10:25.697-07:00Just a thought<div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The task of teaching a subject to a child at any particular age is one of representing the structure of that subject in terms of the child's way of viewing things (Jerome Bruner <i>The Process of Education</i>) </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lpmNVQQ_yxs22UPoAft5oc8Cr5NFAIlSgkdzQX20mPHD000iaGwEg2Pl17qq8lMUp3SO4_yZELLdVeFkATc8XhxWebB3i1lZylDImUvFR-WKRlCRT_qauqkig9Gd-ToKa01iZfzamhQ/s1600/000_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lpmNVQQ_yxs22UPoAft5oc8Cr5NFAIlSgkdzQX20mPHD000iaGwEg2Pl17qq8lMUp3SO4_yZELLdVeFkATc8XhxWebB3i1lZylDImUvFR-WKRlCRT_qauqkig9Gd-ToKa01iZfzamhQ/s320/000_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Bruner describes an educators role as that of a translator. To take the big concepts of maths and science (and everything else!) and make them something that fits in my childs world. I guess this sums up why schema theory appeals to me so much. To me it acts as a child lens for the world. It's not easy to relate to the thinking of someone who cant tell yesterday from last week or thinks there's actually more playdough if it's squished it into a snake rather than left in a ball. Any help is welcome!!</div></div>erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-70601557595389795762011-03-05T21:56:00.000-08:002011-03-05T21:59:58.046-08:00A world apart<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Disconnection</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div>A new phase started for Mr3 with a bang. Or rather a rip. He's dismembering things. It's indiscriminate, well it was initially. If it was tearable it was torn, if it was cuttable it was cut, he took out a box of smll toys and pulled them all apart. His sister's barbie collection was reduced to a pile of torsos, heads and legs. His lovely older sister responded so insightfully (bless her!!!) and provided him with her less precious school projects and toys she no longer loved. We have had many discussions about books and the sacredness thereof but still sometimes he comes to confess and I know he just couldn't help himself, the urge to destroy was just too strong!!!<br />
At the same time we have been having many many discussions about what's in things and under things and the timely appearance of big holes along the footpaths as lots of pipes and telephone cables are being repaired/ replaced has seen us on many a lingering walk just staring in awed fascination. The bundle of coloured wires (each one is for a different person's phone!) the Telecom guy was fixing was like finding a diamond mine. And overnight the preferred settling activity if he's sad or sick or tired is no longer videos of his favourite Jazz singer but diagrams of the circulatory or digestive system.<br />
His artwork is also thoroughly disconnected. His people are unrecognisable conglomerations of mouths, eyes, freckles, hair, legs... all the bits he considers important all separated out and given equal importance.<br />
Disconnection schema. Honestly it's a hard one to see the virtues of. We did some neat painting the other day. He couldn't wait until it was dry. Then before I saw it coming he had the scissors in hand and it was confetti. I have heard of other kids in a similar phase attacking clothing and bedclothes, luckily this hasn't occurred to him, well of course it's occurred to him just his scissors aren't sharp enough. Phew. Since this has become somewhat of a family focus, he has been presented at nearly every turn with stuff he can legitimately wreck and he hasn't ripped a book in weeks. It could've gone either way!<br />
<br />
So, do you have a destroyer like mine? Here's my list of things that have been a hit and some things I intend to try.<br />
<ul><li>Cooking: chopping vegetables for dinner. I used a big knife and we gripped the handle together with his other hand flat on the top of the blade. I wasn't willing to relinquish control and this was satisfying enough for him. Otherwise a smaller, less sharp knife and nothing more dense than a potato would've been my pick. And close supervision of course! But the sooner they can do this reliably the sooner you have a night off cooking so don't shy away!!! Rubbing butter into flour for pastry or scones. I use one of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A34IZY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000QJE48O&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1MT1MKV3TB88426YYV7N">these</a> but the between fingertips methood would probably be just as much fun.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Cutting/ ripping paper, junkmail: containers for sorting colours afterwards would be a good way to extend this, or provide glue and do some paper mache or collage, I get my son to help me rip old mail like bank statements before I feed them to the worms</li>
</ul><ul><li>What's inside? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Body-Stephen-Biestys-Cross-Sections/dp/0789434245/ref=pd_sim_b_11">this series of books</a> show fabulous cross sections and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Really-Work-Alan-Snow/dp/0316801348/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299383278&sr=1-3">these</a> are hilarious! We have been exploring <a href="http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/htbw_main_page.html">this</a> human body site, and <a href="http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html">this one</a> I'm sure there are many others, even better ones- feel free to post a comment with any you know of, we're keen to check them out!</li>
</ul><ul><li>Playdough and salt dough, make layers of different colours and cut slices. Make beads. <a href="http://www.craftsforkids.com/projects/millefiori.htm">These</a> look quite complicated but if you try it with nice thick ropes they turn out awesome. They've used them to decorate a vase but the possibilities are endless. I used salt dough instead of clay and they worked well for littlies. Dough in general gives fabulous scope for making things that can be destroyed over and over again.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Be alert to the possibilities in the real world. If you see workmen digging holes, chopping up bits of road, cutting down trees, stop and investigate. Help them connect what they're doing when they dismember things at home with what's happeneing in the big wide world.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Animals are disconnectors too!!!Snails destroy leaves and even paper with their tongues, wasps rip tree bark and chew it to make their nests, beavers cut down trees with their teeth... sounds sort of nasty but we love taking the snails out of the garden and putting them on the driveway for the birds, ever seen birds crack and eat snails? pretty good fun if you don't look at it from the snail's point of view!!! You could choose to explore this wonderful animal world less hands on with books and videos.</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
Although this may just feel like wanton destruction this is a way your child is choosing to explore their world and they are learning lots by it: how things work, what things are made of, fine motor skills: the same muscles that work scissors and tear little bits of paper are important for buttoning and unbuttoning, and pencil and pen control. It really helps my sanity to think of where these small skills lead. You may have a future engineer or mechanic or surgeon or dressmaker or architect or woodcarver on your hands if you can nurture their interest and give parameters to explore.erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-53931726368666157292011-02-21T00:51:00.000-08:002011-02-21T00:51:51.282-08:00A Flying Start<div style="text-align: center;">Trajectory.</div><br />
I was amused watching one of our little under twos at Playcentre last Friday playing in the sandpit. He was surrounded by myriad interesting toys but was utterly fascinated by just watching the sand fly as he threw it. Now we don't condone the throwing of sand as a general rule, but there were no other kids in the firing line and he had an insightful parent with him who rather than reprimand him, directed him to a paddling pool of water which had no one in it as a good destination for his flying sand. He looked so delighted watching the sand land in the water. I believe it had been set up attractively for water play with dye in it and had been appreciated by a only a couple of kids but for this little guy it was totally worth the sacrifice! Later as it was a hot day the hose was brought out for some cooling down fun and this same child discovered the delights of directing the water. I was smart enough to be observing this from well out of the firing line!!! This led to him discovering that when he aimed the water at a yoga ball he could move it across the play area. I am looking forward to observing this boy more closely next week, I am thinking perhaps a trajectory schema? I have been compiling a list of things I'd like to offer for him over the next while to help him explore different ways of moving things.<br />
<br />
Gravity:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>rolling balls down a slide</li>
<li>pushing cars down ramps</li>
<li>setting up a <a href="http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/06/cereal-box-marble-run.html">marble run</a>, or maybe like <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/magazine/familyfun-magazine-archive/familyfun-march-2010/marble-run-844525/">this</a></li>
<li><a href="http://fun.familyeducation.com/childrens-art-activities/painting/36711.html">marble painting</a></li>
<li>dropping paint onto paper from a height</li>
<li>pulleys, maybe make up a game of throwing things into a bucket attached to a pulley until it's heavy enough to lift another bucket off the ground...</li>
</ul><br />
Blowing<br />
<br />
<ul><li>ping pong balls across a table with a straw</li>
<li>blowing paint across paper</li>
</ul><br />
Throwing<br />
<br />
<div><ul><li>balls into hoops/ buckets</li>
<li>paint-soaked sponges at paper</li>
</ul><br />
<div>Pushing/ pulling</div></div><div><ul><li>using chalk to draw a big line on the ground (could move along the line in different ways or push vehicles along it)</li>
</ul><br />
<div>He'd probably enjoy feeling movement himself too, rolling down the hill, swinging, riding in the wagon...</div><div>That'll do me for starters. I'm looking forward to Friday now!!!!</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-37115625586756356822011-02-10T20:58:00.000-08:002011-02-10T20:58:31.952-08:00All Wrapped UpEnclosure, Enveloping and Containment.<br />
<br />
First, a small disclaimer. I have seen these 3 schemas listed separately in lots of articles but I am going to lump them together. In learning theory they may be worlds apart but in practise I can't tell too much difference!!!<br />
Hi my name is Erin and my child is the one who looks silly in a thousand layers of clothes. If you can see her cos she could be stuffed in that small gap between the couch and the wall. Or in the wardrobe. Or under a pile of cushions. No, she's not a complete fruit loop - it's her schema!!!! Actually the first time I met schema theory I was at playcentre watching her fold herself in a very small box closing the lid over her head. A very wise woman I know handed me a copy of t<a href="http://susan.sean.geek.nz/Schemas%20in%20Areas%20of%20Play.pdf">his schema matrix</a> and yes, there she was in the enclosure/ enveloping column. Suddenly her tights, jeans, skirt, long sleeved top, short sleeved dress and veil ensemble made perfect sense!!! As if she was reading over my shoulder her next half hour consisted of: wrapping all the playdough at the playdough table in paper, painting a beautiful picture then obliterating it with a layer of black over the top, burying her legs in the sandpit... when we got home that day I cleared out her wardrobe, put a big cushion in the bottom and voila, for the next year and a half that's where you'd find her if she was sad, tired, recently told off, reading, or just feeling quiet!!<br />
If any of that sounds familiar to you, keep reading, the following activities are probably either already enjoyed by your child or something they would love to do!!!!<br />
<br />
<u>Role playing/ family play</u>: cubby houses! I swear it was every day for months the contents of my linen cupboard were utilised for making tents, cubby houses and 'bed nests' and the contents of her room were carried out to furnish these creations. Tunnels are fun to hide in/ crawl through.<br />
<br />
<u>Dress ups</u>: clothing is important to these kids, especially wigs, drapey fabric, lace tablecloths, capes, veils and do I need to say layers again? Let them choose their own clothes. And I dare you to leave the house like that!!! Bags to put stuff in.<br />
<br />
<u>Stories</u>: my daughter's favourite story at this time was '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1904550622/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0670869392&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=08987TQYBXK9R7CYVS40">There was an old lady who swallowed a fly</a>' I swear it was the Russian doll effect of animals inside animals inside animals that made her want to read it over and over and over.... and over. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Owl-Babies-Candlewick-Storybook-Animations/dp/0763650420/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297390413&sr=1-1">Owl Babies</a>, another favourite, what enclosure kid wouldn't want to live in a tree? Any of <a href="http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html">Eric Carle's</a> books are great for the artwork as his illustrations are all done with layers of different tissue paper. And when it comes down to it, any book as long as it's read in a tent is going to be a hit!!<br />
<br />
<u>Science</u>: lots of animals live in pretty close quarters, wasps, birds, ants, find some pictures of owls inside trees foxes in a den etc etc You will have ample opportunity to introduce concepts such as capacity volume space and size. Provide containers and different stuff (wet and dry) to pour into them. Think creatively for containers, use a funnel to fill a balloon with rice!<br />
<br />
<u>Maths:</u> containers that fit inside other containers, nesting boxes, Russian dolls<br />
<br />
<u>Art</u>: collage - different flat materials to build up layers with. I had an art box of old cards, cut up junkmail, catalogue pages, that sort of thing. A la Eric Carle try slightly transparent layers. Tissue paper rips easily and may be frustrating for small fingers to work with but sheer fabrics like netting or organza can work well. Frames are often important to enclosure kids too. I look back at almost all the art work from this time and there are either long pieces or string or ribbon glued around the edges or the paper or frames drawn or painted on. Provide long thin things for frames, sticks, string, help cut paper ribbons etc. Painting is great for layering. Don't show your regret and frustration when the elaborate and skilled pictures disappear under a layer of 'night-time' or 'clothes' or 'blankets'!!! Just stand nearby with a camera and get progress pictures so you can remember and remind your child what was underneath. Crayon does interesting layers too and because they don't mix you can even scratch part of the layers off later. <a href="http://www.kids-fun-and-games.com/paper-mache-recipe.html">Papier mache</a>! <a href="http://www.lead.ece.govt.nz/ServiceTypes/Playgroups/PlayIdeas/CreativePlay/PlaydoughRecipes.aspx">Playdough</a>. Try different ways of presenting this to make it even more fun. Hide surprises in it like small toys. Enclose one colour completely inside another colour. Or don't add colour into the dough, roll it into balls, break open each one and pour in some colouring then close them up again. Let them discover the colour when they start manipulating it! Wrapping paper (even newspaper) and a tape dispenser will provide hours of fun. Especially for you if you are the tape dispenser!!!erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7960290173638801353.post-65726256107634474612011-02-05T02:16:00.000-08:002011-02-05T02:16:31.552-08:00Dances with schemas 1: Transformation<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Children fascinated by transformation are often spotted pretending to be different people or animals, they tend to love dressing up and will adopt a particular voice or way of walking to be a particular character. They are expert mess makers and will seldom stay clean. They can be identified at the paint easel: they are the ones with the painted hands and clean paper! They find unconventional ways to use equipment (one transformation child at our Playcentre found a rugby ball and to the consternation of her rugby playing peers took it to the paint easel, painted it and used it to make prints!)<br />
They will probably be interested in the following activities:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Drama</u>: costumes, props, provide costumes appropriate for any story you might be reading. Puppet shows. Give instructions in different accents/ personas eg old woman, baby, wicked witch etc</div><div class="MsoNormal">Side note: drama is a great tool to use for discipline/ expressing emotion and frustration. If you have a child with a natural ‘flair’ for drama cash in on it to diffuse and get out those strong feelings so you can deal with the issues calmly. eg: I can see you feel really angry, I want you to run over and roar at that tree like an angry lion. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u>Music</u>: try music that expresses different moods, eg <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Camille+Saint-Sa%C3%ABns/Saint-Saens+-+The+Carnival+Of+Animals">Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens</a>. Move the way the music ‘feels’ </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><u>Art</u>:</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">face painting, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.burbmom.net/fun-in-the-tub-with-bathtub-paint/">bathtub paint</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.melissagoodsell.typepad.com/day_to_day/2008/01/holiday-activit.html">puff paint</a>, </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">finger</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">paint. </span></h4><h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 11.25pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">My favourite recipe to use is the following:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8f8c8d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> </span></h4>2 cups corn flour<br />
1 cup cold water<br />
4 cups boiling water (a little more if necessary)<br />
¼ cup soap flakes (optional)<div>Whisk corn flour and cold water in a large bowl until smooth white and shiny. Pour in boiling water while stirring and beat until smooth, thick and translucent. Add the soap flakes if desired and keep stirring. If you use an electric beater you can whip it to a beautiful fluffy consistency. Add food colouring as desired.<br />
The beauty of this recipe is that every stage the ingredients transform completely. In fact the first time you make it you may never get past the first cornflour gloop stage!!! Make sure your transformation child is with you while you make it so they can wow at the process (but careful of the boiling water obviously!!!!)</div><div>My children love using this on our big glass sliding doors!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Stories</u>: anything easily acted out! Some favourites from my experience: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear by Bill Martin Jr /Eric Carle, Goldilocks and the Three Bears (so fun, we went out for a walk and pretended we were Goldilocks coming back to someone elses house – I really felt naughty!!!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Science</u>: hello youtube! butterflies emerging from chrysalises (or chrysalides - who knew!), cicadas crawling out of their skin, wasps chewing wood to build nests, tadpoles turning into frogs...lots of fascinating watching for the picking! Plant seeds (sunflowers give awesome bang for buck) plant swan plants so the whole monarch butterfly drama will be played out in your front yard, get a pond for the froggy version!! Potions: know of any simple chemical reactions? <a href="http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000048">Red cabbage indicator liquid</a>. Vinegar and soda ‘volcanoes’ make bread to see the yeast react, <a href="http://www.chelsea.co.nz/recipes/210/hokey-pokey.aspx">hokey pokey</a>, just about any baking really as long as there's some sort of rising involved.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">More ideas <a href="http://susan.sean.geek.nz/Schemas%20in%20Areas%20of%20Play.pdf">here</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I personally find this schema a whole lot of fun. These kids will invariably find the most surprising uses for any equipment you provide them, will hijack any carefully thought out activity and turn it into something completely off the wall. They will challenge your comfort zones but remind you that the world is an amazing and fascinating place where miraculous things happen every day!!! If this is your child making special exploratory messes in your own house, you can remind yourself that this is just a stage they’re in now and by next week even they could be exploring something entirely new. And meantime don’t forget to give your washing machine a hug of gratitude before you go to sleep each night!!! </span></div></div>erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03873095845605891559noreply@blogger.com3