| Fall 2010:
Life is full of transitions and
adaptations. Soon many will
adjust from summer vacation
to back–to-school. While
some transitions are based Fall 2009: My son, Robbie, just turned five. Soon my world will shift
from the world of early childhood, daycare, and preschool to
the world of K-12 education. I pray I’m a firm believer in the “it takes a village” model of raising
children and that parents need access to the wisdom of that
village. This is why I am so thankful to the Friends
of the Howell Carnegie Library and the Ted
and Jane Von Voightlander Foundation for their generous
gift that is funding Family Place Library. Family
Place Libraries redesign the library environment to be Winter 2008: Isn’t it amazing when you “catch” a child in a moment of learning? That minute when you can “see the wheels turning” or “smell the wood burning”. I find myself thinking, what a miracle. Sometimes my thoughts then move towards the research in brain development and those so important those first three years. How play really is the work of childhood, how much is learned through repetition, the senses, and interaction with others. Play and learning are so “hands on” for children. More and varied experiences equal more and varied learning. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences suggests eight different ways of learning. There is no “one right way.” But there probably is one style that we favor, or are best at, but we use all eight types and can explore, grow and develop all types. So are you Word Smart (Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence); Music Smart (Musical Intelligence); Logic Smart (Logical/Mathematical Intelligence); Picture Smart (Visual/Spatial Intelligence); Body Smart (Kinesthetic Intelligence); People Smart (Interpersonal Intelligence); Self Smart (Intrapersonal Intelligence); Nature Smart (Naturalist Intelligence)? Which one is your child’s strength? Is there one type that
you would like to explore more for yourself or with your child?
Pick one and explore, we have a lifetime to continue learning
and we all want our children to feel that way as well. Remember,
we all learn through play! Fall 2008: Robbie turned 4 on June 4th. So, I’ve survived the “terrible twos” and “threes”, which truly was worse than two. I have high hopes for four. I try to remind myself that it is all about control. He wants it and I have it, and honestly, I don’t want to give it up. I know that I need to teach Robbie the tools for taking control of his life: howe to make choices; learning about consequences; and that one's actions also affect other people. If this stage of parenting is in the past, try to remember back to the days of having to throw your child, kicking and screaming, over your shoulder and making a quick exit. If you are currently living through the preschool years, do you ever stop and think that before we know it, our "little ones" will be teens? I read someplace that the toddler years are very similar to the teen years, that the control battle will take place once again. I love my job for too many reasons to list, but one of the great joys is exposure and interaction with kids of all ages on a regular basis. I've watched kids grow from little toddlers to high schoolers. I've gushed over a preschooler's new pair of light up shoes or new "big girl underwear." And I've been amazed by middle schoolers' desire to save the world. Prior to Robbie, I had some sympathy for that mom with the screaming toddler at the store, now I have empathy. And all too soon, I'll have empathy for all the other moms of teenage boys. Winter 2007/2008: I’m passionate about reading. I read for pleasure; to learn; the cereal box; even instruction manuals. I think about kids learning to read and I pray that they will develop a passion for reading. I enjoy every moment of reading with Robbie, my 3 year old son, and I hope that we will both continue to find joy in the written word. But realistically, I know that not all kids (possibly even Robbie) will share my passion. Everyone is passionate about something- reading, sports, or music. The difference here is that playing sports or an instrument is optional, enriching and full of other benefits, but optional. Reading and continuing to learn throughout one’s life is not optional. Reading tastes vary widely, sometimes influenced by gender. Some kids will be labeled “reluctant readers.” Let’s start thinking of “reluctant readers” as “discriminating readers” who are just much pickier about what they will spend their time reading. Learning to read and developing a passion for reading comes from lots of positive reading experiences -reading something you choose and enjoy. Think about a student’s reading experience. Pretty much everything kids read is assigned (not chosen) with a test afterwards. Stop imposing your reading tastes on your children and let them choose what they want to read (including comics, magazines, nonfiction, series books etc). Your child’s interests should even influence what you read to them as preschoolers. For example nonfiction books about garbage trucks or any train books, at our house. It’s about modeling and staying connected. Making time for reading says reading is worthwhile. Dads, it is doubly important for your sons to see you reading (newspapers and magazines count) – reading needs to be seen as masculine, not just feminine. Reading something that your child is reading creates opportunities for discussion. Or, try giving them a book with the question “what do you think of this?” Think you have a “discriminating reader”? Bring them along with you to the library, and let them look for their own materials- send them off to the nonfiction section or magazines. Take home several books, if the first one doesn’t “hook them”, put it aside and try another one. It is okay to not finish a book that doesn’t interest you (unfortunately this rule does not apply to school assignments) as long as you keep looking for one that works. Keep it fun- find the joy – find the passion. |
