Hi 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!
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.
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!!!
Look forward to getting used to hearing my own voice again!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Cast of Characters
Well, 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!
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.
So far we have:
Santa - 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.
Williams measure - 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.
Pirate Will - 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.
Dr Vehicle - 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.
Eugene - 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'
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
So far we have:
Santa - 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.
Williams measure - 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.
Pirate Will - 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.
Dr Vehicle - 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.
Eugene - 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'
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.
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!
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Power of Praise
I read an article recently in this magazine 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.
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?
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?
The alternative: non-judgemental observations. Facts.
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!'
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'
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.
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?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?
The alternative: non-judgemental observations. Facts.
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!'
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'
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.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
My 3 year old is quilting!
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'
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!!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!
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.
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.
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| Kaffe Fassett knitting. |
And the next time I hear the words 'I want to make...' my ears will prick up.
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| Hundertwasser |
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The joys of noise
Look what this cool lady did at her house! 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!
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!!!
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.
Here are some ideas for extending musical play with children:
And here's a whole lot more!
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!!!
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.
Here are some ideas for extending musical play with children:
- Sing! lots, about everything! Use known tunes and change the lyrics. Use your childs name. Make them super silly
- Use singing instead of talking. We've gone for nearly a whole day in opera mode!
- 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...
- Even pretty small kids pick up the concept of copying rythms either clapping or drumming.
- Musical statues!
- 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 this compilation of world music but there's heaps more.
- 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.
And here's a whole lot more!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
His concession to my schema
If you read this 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)
Sometimes our schemas are at odds.
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.
Everybody wins.
 |
| Disconnectaur. |
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.
Everybody wins.
Questions, 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!
I have two theories for the questions. All those questions.
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.
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.
(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)
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:
W 'why can't I hit the window with a stick'
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?'
W ' because if it gets broken we have to have that brown tape on the window again'
M 'I knew you'ld come up with an awesome idea!!'
THE END
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.
W 'Mum why can't I hit the window with a stick'
M 'because you might break it'
W 'but why'
M 'because it's made of glass'
W ' but why is it made of glass'
M' so we can see through it'
W 'but why can we see through it'
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...)
I have two theories for the questions. All those questions.
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.
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.
(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)
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: W 'why can't I hit the window with a stick'
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?'
W ' because if it gets broken we have to have that brown tape on the window again'
M 'I knew you'ld come up with an awesome idea!!'
THE END
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.
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