I have been exploring different preschool blogs written by teachers who reject academic-focused "play" in the classroom. The following video comes from Teacher Tom.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Back in the game again
Oh February. I don't mind January and I enjoy celebrating my dad's birth, but this year I decided to give up the first month of the year.
The bills still had to be paid and I went to work (somewhat joyfully). However, all extra tasks went undone. It felt good to slack for a month. It felt good to hibernate, not feeling obligated by anyone or anything. It felt liberating.
Alas, the energy couldn't be maintained forever. I found an inspiring teacher blog to follow. Many of the ideas I read about I later tried out on my own preschoolers and will use for writing a new blog about preschool teachings. I am still working with the way I present the preschoolers within the posts, and so will keep the new website undercover for awhile. I am trying to show the exploration concepts and the way the kids interact with the activities through photos and descriptions without using faces or names.
Reed and I did four weeks of a fitness boot camp in January too. Hey, it's cheaper then couples counseling and an acupuncturist said I need more activity to burn up the fire in my belly, so there it was. And the exercise is great! In one evening, Reed and I could go from not speaking to each other to motivating each other as we shared in the pain of the workouts. On the car ride back home, we could compare notes about which activity was brutal or what we really enjoyed as we congratulated ourselves for another great night.
Oh the pain. I can only laugh through the pain. I love going to that happy place inside the mind as the 30th jump squat burns my thigh muscles to pieces. What else can be done? I signed up for this and it is great! It's like labor really. Temporary, crazy intense pain so that a person can step through a threshold of a whole new perspective, and into a new thought process.
The bills still had to be paid and I went to work (somewhat joyfully). However, all extra tasks went undone. It felt good to slack for a month. It felt good to hibernate, not feeling obligated by anyone or anything. It felt liberating.
Alas, the energy couldn't be maintained forever. I found an inspiring teacher blog to follow. Many of the ideas I read about I later tried out on my own preschoolers and will use for writing a new blog about preschool teachings. I am still working with the way I present the preschoolers within the posts, and so will keep the new website undercover for awhile. I am trying to show the exploration concepts and the way the kids interact with the activities through photos and descriptions without using faces or names.
Reed and I did four weeks of a fitness boot camp in January too. Hey, it's cheaper then couples counseling and an acupuncturist said I need more activity to burn up the fire in my belly, so there it was. And the exercise is great! In one evening, Reed and I could go from not speaking to each other to motivating each other as we shared in the pain of the workouts. On the car ride back home, we could compare notes about which activity was brutal or what we really enjoyed as we congratulated ourselves for another great night.
Oh the pain. I can only laugh through the pain. I love going to that happy place inside the mind as the 30th jump squat burns my thigh muscles to pieces. What else can be done? I signed up for this and it is great! It's like labor really. Temporary, crazy intense pain so that a person can step through a threshold of a whole new perspective, and into a new thought process.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
I saw in the paper last week that a student from HSU would be guiding a walk through the Community forest looking for salamanders. The boys and I were on board with that idea, so Saturday morning found us gathering on a street corner near the forest with several other families.
Education at its purest from Trisha Sand on Vimeo.
Another afternoon after I came home from work, we decided to go for a bike ride out through the Arcata Bottoms and across the Mad River bridge.
It was a wonderful ride. We parked by the bridge and rode out to the beach. The dogs were with us the whole way.
North and Sky were a little excited about being out as the evening darkened. Once released from the bike seats, they could have played on the rocks for hours.
And North would have too, until he discovered he could climb up the fence.
Once he got up to the top, things got a little tricky. He was adamant that he could climb over the top and down to the bridge path. Reed and I were not OK with that idea so we were in a bit of a stand-off for a while. Finally I suggested that Reed tickle North's knees and thus cause him to let go of the fencing.Saturday, December 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
An outing
Chores done and time for an outing!Unfortunately I lost half of my group during the drive to the beach. The dogs were all, "why are we just sitting here, watching the surfers? Let's go!"
So I let them out of the car. And my two dogs became fast friends with all the dogs around. Bruin can be a bit embarrassing in public, however. He has a bit of an attraction to male dogs. The first chance he gets, he is up on them. He always does it out of my voice range and it does fluster me, so the behavior hasn't been corrected properly. We need the dog whisper!Or more leash usage.
North finally woke up and started playing in the dunes. He didn't like the grass brushing up on him as we walked through the more narrower of the trails. But we pretended that we were a train as he held onto my waist and shut his eyes. It helped.Untitled from Trisha Sand on Vimeo.
This is the best shot of Skyler from the day. I wonder if other parents have these photo struggles? On our last beach adventure, North was the one with all the bad shots. I don't know if it was his clothing colors contrasting with the ocean light, but I couldn't get anything that I liked.
Lots of sand and and a slope. Who needs a toy box?
Photo caption: Recharging. Or Car stretches. Take your pick.
Following our beach adventure, we went over to a former family of my preschool's house (what a decriptive phrase!) to watch the Lighted Trucker's Parade. The family throws a party every year and we will definitely be going back in the years to come.
North learned very quickly to cover his ears with each trucks' approach. Each parade entry tried to outdo the previous truck by honking "Jingle Bells" even louder. Next year, we will bring earmuffs!
A few days prior after coming home from his own adventure, Reed brought home chantrelle mushrooms for our dinner. Most delicious.
Following our beach adventure, we went over to a former family of my preschool's house (what a decriptive phrase!) to watch the Lighted Trucker's Parade. The family throws a party every year and we will definitely be going back in the years to come.
Eureka Trucker Parade 2010 from Trisha Sand on Vimeo.
North learned very quickly to cover his ears with each trucks' approach. Each parade entry tried to outdo the previous truck by honking "Jingle Bells" even louder. Next year, we will bring earmuffs!A few days prior after coming home from his own adventure, Reed brought home chantrelle mushrooms for our dinner. Most delicious.
Lots of mushrooms and butter.We ate a little bit with white beans, chicken, rosemary and garlic. The majority of the pot went into freezer bags. Mushroom season can be too short unless you know how to freeze the harvest!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Physical growth
My second child is happy to give kisses these days. His physical expression of language is so beautiful to me. He loves to zoom hands for a favorite finger play song, he claps hands whenever applause is heard, makes a "wash hands" sign whenever we are near a sink and today he asked for medicine by sticking out his tongue and putting his finger in his mouth.
Sky is very physically intelligent as well: he kick-dribbles a ball, swings a golf club/bat, throws and rolls a ball. He climbs up into his chair as well as onto the top of the couch. He loves to turn light switches on and off whenever he can reach them. He and North play a game that North calls "Super Cars." They (loudly!) knock over the little wooden chairs and push them very fast all over the house. Sky gleefully copies his brother in whatever the action is in any given moment. If North gets attention for coughing; Skyler will loudly cough too. If North cries in frustration over an injustice, Sky will fall over, purposefully hit his head, and cry loudly.
I chose not to teach my kids sign language but rather to make our family communication strong and diverse. Will Skyler have as many words as North did at a young age? I don't know yet. The difference I see in my two boys is pretty striking already. North is very socially oriented. He needs to be part of a group, to move and make decisions based upon the group. I think North developed his verbal language skills to support those needs. Skyler, on the other hand, seems to be a bit more removed from the peer pressure. He is focused on his own explorations and movements. He learns new behaviors and actions from watching other people but then seems to turn inward to play out his own themes. It seems as though verbal language is just not where his brain is working these days.
Very interesting, this sibling stuff.
Sky is very physically intelligent as well: he kick-dribbles a ball, swings a golf club/bat, throws and rolls a ball. He climbs up into his chair as well as onto the top of the couch. He loves to turn light switches on and off whenever he can reach them. He and North play a game that North calls "Super Cars." They (loudly!) knock over the little wooden chairs and push them very fast all over the house. Sky gleefully copies his brother in whatever the action is in any given moment. If North gets attention for coughing; Skyler will loudly cough too. If North cries in frustration over an injustice, Sky will fall over, purposefully hit his head, and cry loudly.
I chose not to teach my kids sign language but rather to make our family communication strong and diverse. Will Skyler have as many words as North did at a young age? I don't know yet. The difference I see in my two boys is pretty striking already. North is very socially oriented. He needs to be part of a group, to move and make decisions based upon the group. I think North developed his verbal language skills to support those needs. Skyler, on the other hand, seems to be a bit more removed from the peer pressure. He is focused on his own explorations and movements. He learns new behaviors and actions from watching other people but then seems to turn inward to play out his own themes. It seems as though verbal language is just not where his brain is working these days.
Very interesting, this sibling stuff.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
In the defense of food: Michael Pollen
Last night Reed and I went out to see Michael Pollen speak at the university. I was pretty impressed with what I heard.
He has a great speaking style, kind of like the favorite professor meets touring book author. Which I guess sums him up as he does teach at Berkley (I felt a little jealous when I read that; I always was satisfied with my college choice, but to have opportunities to learn from cool people like that every day? ....In my next life, I guess)
Anyhow, I enjoyed his talk. He mostly reviewed his written work while also touching on the manipulation of food labeling in relation to the current malnutrition that our Western diet commonly causes. My mom is really good at reading labels on processed food packages, so I have always had a good role model when choosing my food. However as I listened to Michael Pollen talk of the decades of false nutrition claims made by large snack/junk food corporations with no governmental regulation to weed out the lies, I was more then ready to head to my grocery store to bring home only the "quiet food".
As I listened, I reflected on how grateful I feel to have such a peaceful place such as the Co-op to shop for food. I still find food packages in that store that I will avoid because of suspicious health claims, but I would say that 70-90% of the food I or Reed take home is a whole food. Food that we chop or cook. The quiet foods like kale or grapes are the true walkers, I think. I would hate to walk the noisy maze of "whole wheat white bread!" or "Fish fat in the yogurt!" in a grocery on a weekly basis. To paraphrase Michael Pollen: the United States, the most unhealthiest country in the world, has given over to the processed food producers the sole ability to determine the nutrition of our daily meal.
He also talked a bit about the twisted relationship between commercial agriculture and obesity, but mostly focused on positive behaviors that one person can do to prevent poor health in a world that screams "buy my processed food-like substance, it's good for you!" He spoke of farmers markets that accept food stamps and the relationships that developed in the two communities that were commonly isolated from one another. He reminded us of the joys of seasonal food, waiting for strawberries in June or asparagus in the early spring. A part of the American health problem derives from a misconception that we have somehow earned the right to consume whatever, whenever, in large quantities, and at the cheapest price please.
One awareness that I gained from the lecture pertained to China. I hadn't given much thought about food grown in China until Michael Pollen began to speak of a student of his who worked with and interviewed several farmers living in China. These farmers were very casual about the meaning of organic food and were often claiming organic status yet farming on soils that were heavily polluted. So once again, I will be checking labels carefully. Garbage in, garbage out.
I love that we were able to partake in this experience at the same times as a large-scale food discussion comes up within our own government. The Obama administration has begun to clean up the neglect that our kids have suffered under federally funded lunch programs as well as finally give enforcement rights to the FDA to deal with corrupt food companies who sicken people with harmful products. I think time has proven that our culture of food has failed. 1 in 3 kids are currently obese or over-weight. I think we all need a little more regulation in our lives.
When has healthy food become a luxury item?
He has a great speaking style, kind of like the favorite professor meets touring book author. Which I guess sums him up as he does teach at Berkley (I felt a little jealous when I read that; I always was satisfied with my college choice, but to have opportunities to learn from cool people like that every day? ....In my next life, I guess)
Anyhow, I enjoyed his talk. He mostly reviewed his written work while also touching on the manipulation of food labeling in relation to the current malnutrition that our Western diet commonly causes. My mom is really good at reading labels on processed food packages, so I have always had a good role model when choosing my food. However as I listened to Michael Pollen talk of the decades of false nutrition claims made by large snack/junk food corporations with no governmental regulation to weed out the lies, I was more then ready to head to my grocery store to bring home only the "quiet food".
As I listened, I reflected on how grateful I feel to have such a peaceful place such as the Co-op to shop for food. I still find food packages in that store that I will avoid because of suspicious health claims, but I would say that 70-90% of the food I or Reed take home is a whole food. Food that we chop or cook. The quiet foods like kale or grapes are the true walkers, I think. I would hate to walk the noisy maze of "whole wheat white bread!" or "Fish fat in the yogurt!" in a grocery on a weekly basis. To paraphrase Michael Pollen: the United States, the most unhealthiest country in the world, has given over to the processed food producers the sole ability to determine the nutrition of our daily meal.
He also talked a bit about the twisted relationship between commercial agriculture and obesity, but mostly focused on positive behaviors that one person can do to prevent poor health in a world that screams "buy my processed food-like substance, it's good for you!" He spoke of farmers markets that accept food stamps and the relationships that developed in the two communities that were commonly isolated from one another. He reminded us of the joys of seasonal food, waiting for strawberries in June or asparagus in the early spring. A part of the American health problem derives from a misconception that we have somehow earned the right to consume whatever, whenever, in large quantities, and at the cheapest price please.
One awareness that I gained from the lecture pertained to China. I hadn't given much thought about food grown in China until Michael Pollen began to speak of a student of his who worked with and interviewed several farmers living in China. These farmers were very casual about the meaning of organic food and were often claiming organic status yet farming on soils that were heavily polluted. So once again, I will be checking labels carefully. Garbage in, garbage out.
I love that we were able to partake in this experience at the same times as a large-scale food discussion comes up within our own government. The Obama administration has begun to clean up the neglect that our kids have suffered under federally funded lunch programs as well as finally give enforcement rights to the FDA to deal with corrupt food companies who sicken people with harmful products. I think time has proven that our culture of food has failed. 1 in 3 kids are currently obese or over-weight. I think we all need a little more regulation in our lives.
When has healthy food become a luxury item?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving vacation: Adventure to the Academy of Sciences
BARTing to San Fransisco. Followed by a MUNI ride to the Museum of Science in Golden Gate Park.
Becoming familiar with public transportation is a skill that I think is very important. Mingling with the masses, knowing which side of the street takes a person to what destination, having correct change: so many behaviors that I can expose my children to and thus increase their knowledge of the different worlds all around them. (And skills I myself might need more practice with!)We could have barreled down the freeway in our isolated space-pod, but how boring is that. My boys had an adventure.
Shh.
Don't tell them it was also a learning experience.
Yikes, not the most flattering picture of my mother. I hope she forgives easily!
Same namesake; but the child grows two years older.
North and Aunt Leslie spent most their museum time together. In this picture, they are looking at the rain forest dome.
Watching the sharks feed was the first thing North recounted to Reed when asked about his trip.
Both kids were enthralled by the numerous fish tanks. We may live next to the ocean, but to have such an intimate view of the behaviors of the under-sea creature is a treat. When Sky came to his first floor-to-ceiling tank, he grabbed at the fish, tried to kiss them, yelled and chattered to anyone standing near. He was in love.
We stayed to watch the divers in the coral reef.
Thank you Josh, for taking pictures on our trip. It was such a treat to be able to travel through many modes of transportation, tracking kids, snacks and diapers, yet knowing that the memories of our great day would still be recorded without having the added concern for my own camera tacked onto the days' movements. Thank you.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Fall colors for my tummy
hachiya persimmons, cheddar cauliflower, red grapes, Jonagold apples, a leek, cranberries, green kale and purple kale, carrots, brussel sprouts, collard greens, butternut squash: all of the different types of brightly colored fall produce that made it into the grocery cart this week.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Messy art
While researching for projects to do with my preschool class, I had an epiphany. I was a typical parent of a preschooler! I have been taking the easy way out when the boys and I did projects at home. Totally confined to the kitchen and the table, some exploration, but CERTAINLY not messy.
What kind of teacher am I anyway? Messy projects are the best way to learn!
So in appreciation of a sunny autumn day, North, Skyler and I took our art outside.
Skyler chased the chickens for awhile.
North discovered what water does to paper plates.
The idea with the cake pan was to hold the homemade bubble solution, but the boys decided that they would rather mix paint into it.
Can cleaning up can be just as much fun as the creating? It is just as important...
One last project before bathtime.
What kind of teacher am I anyway? Messy projects are the best way to learn!
So in appreciation of a sunny autumn day, North, Skyler and I took our art outside.
We painted the plastic climber. We also painted different sized balls and rolled them down the slide.
Skyler chased the chickens for awhile.
North discovered what water does to paper plates.
The idea with the cake pan was to hold the homemade bubble solution, but the boys decided that they would rather mix paint into it.Painting/bubble play on a November afternoon from Trisha Sand on Vimeo.
Can cleaning up can be just as much fun as the creating? It is just as important...
One last project before bathtime.This week my preschoolers from Woodside will mix glue and shaving cream as well as drop vinegar into a sensory table of baking soda. Bring on the messy clothes!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Adventure day
I have been itching for a family bike ride since I got my bike two months ago. I can pull the boys in the bike trailer, but something was missing. The boys seemed so far away and Reed was always busy with his own plans.
Today turned out to be our big bike day.
But first North and I went on a solo adventure.
And before that, he had to have a cavity filled.
Augh! Bad Mommy! Especially because he doesn't like chocolate and we brush EVERY day. Very little juice and no candy, breastfeeding until 22 months. --- that darn dried fruit did him in!
Anyway, we go to the best pediatric dentist. We started seeing him when North turned 2. This cavity was our first voyage beyond the standard well teeth check-up.
The visit started out well. The dental assistant asked North which flavor of gas he would like to smell. I liked how she gave him control first thing into the visit. I was nervous about how North would react to the nitrous oxide gas, but the combination of oxygen to gas seemed perfect. He was calm, not giggly or silly. The dentist scraped away the bad parts of the tooth and filled it in, finishing it all up in a matter of minutes.
North sat in the chair like a champ. He was wiggly when the assistant sucked out his mouth, but he handled the rest of the procedure very well. A third women was holding his hands. Her job was to keep his hands away from his face, but as he felt so secure with his situation, I think her hand-holding added to his positive experience.
I was told not to explain too much to North about what was to happen in the office. However, he and I talked about what we were going to do after we went to the dentist' "for a little bit of work." I hope that he was thinking about eating bagels while under the knife. I know that I was able to keep my nervousness at bay because of our previous car ride chatter. In every visit, after being excused from the chair, he always chooses a red balloon. The staff is also very liberal with their toy treats and praise. I love that office.
After the dentist, North and I went to the mall for some bounce house play and then bought a Thanksgiving book and a waffle maker. We ate bagels and salad for lunch, then went on a horse and carriage ride through Old Town.
After naptime, Reed suggested a bike ride using the kid seats rather then the trailer. We loaded up the bikes, seats, and helmets. As it was about an hour or so before sunset, we drove to the Hammond Trail.
And then Skyler fell off the bike...
I was pedaling hard up the hill when I heard a loud crash. I can't even describe my emotions as I looked back to see the seat that held my child, laying on the trail behind me. Sky was upside down, covered up by the kid seat. I flew off my bike.
When first teaching preschool, I learned how check children over for injuries from an amazing teacher. Rather then move the kids out of the situation immediately, I would wait for the child move their own body parts. If the child didn't want to move their arm, then that area was to be focused on. Most importantly, I shouldn't let my excitability overcome the child's own sense of the accident. I was better able to gauge their pain level on its purest level if I wasn't influencing their emotions. I found that kids seemed calmer and were better able to move through their experience if I wasn't in the way.
So all of this helped me get through those first few moments after Skyler fell. Luckily, he was wearing a very sturdy helmet and the bike seat fully contained all of his body within the plastic frame. He scraped his hand, but no head wounds or broken bones.
We nursed beside the trail for a few moments as Reed checked over the seat and re-installed it. North hovered over his brother and gave him kisses. All four of us needed to calm down before we could resume our ride. Once we were ready, Skyler willingly got back into his seat. Yea for breastfeeding and emotional healing! Although on the ride back, I had to restrain my urge to reach back and hold onto Sky's seat.
But we made it back to the car. The boys ran through the parking lot puddles as Reed and I packed the bike stuff. Can you remember running through puddles as a child? Especially when you know you shouldn't? Both boys were so gleeful as they progressively got wetter and wetter. Sky had the biggest laugh, North ran and ran. The evening darkened past sunset.
But we all survived.
Today turned out to be our big bike day.
But first North and I went on a solo adventure.
And before that, he had to have a cavity filled.
Augh! Bad Mommy! Especially because he doesn't like chocolate and we brush EVERY day. Very little juice and no candy, breastfeeding until 22 months. --- that darn dried fruit did him in!
Anyway, we go to the best pediatric dentist. We started seeing him when North turned 2. This cavity was our first voyage beyond the standard well teeth check-up.
The visit started out well. The dental assistant asked North which flavor of gas he would like to smell. I liked how she gave him control first thing into the visit. I was nervous about how North would react to the nitrous oxide gas, but the combination of oxygen to gas seemed perfect. He was calm, not giggly or silly. The dentist scraped away the bad parts of the tooth and filled it in, finishing it all up in a matter of minutes.
North sat in the chair like a champ. He was wiggly when the assistant sucked out his mouth, but he handled the rest of the procedure very well. A third women was holding his hands. Her job was to keep his hands away from his face, but as he felt so secure with his situation, I think her hand-holding added to his positive experience.
I was told not to explain too much to North about what was to happen in the office. However, he and I talked about what we were going to do after we went to the dentist' "for a little bit of work." I hope that he was thinking about eating bagels while under the knife. I know that I was able to keep my nervousness at bay because of our previous car ride chatter. In every visit, after being excused from the chair, he always chooses a red balloon. The staff is also very liberal with their toy treats and praise. I love that office.
After the dentist, North and I went to the mall for some bounce house play and then bought a Thanksgiving book and a waffle maker. We ate bagels and salad for lunch, then went on a horse and carriage ride through Old Town.
After naptime, Reed suggested a bike ride using the kid seats rather then the trailer. We loaded up the bikes, seats, and helmets. As it was about an hour or so before sunset, we drove to the Hammond Trail.
And then Skyler fell off the bike...
I was pedaling hard up the hill when I heard a loud crash. I can't even describe my emotions as I looked back to see the seat that held my child, laying on the trail behind me. Sky was upside down, covered up by the kid seat. I flew off my bike.
When first teaching preschool, I learned how check children over for injuries from an amazing teacher. Rather then move the kids out of the situation immediately, I would wait for the child move their own body parts. If the child didn't want to move their arm, then that area was to be focused on. Most importantly, I shouldn't let my excitability overcome the child's own sense of the accident. I was better able to gauge their pain level on its purest level if I wasn't influencing their emotions. I found that kids seemed calmer and were better able to move through their experience if I wasn't in the way.
So all of this helped me get through those first few moments after Skyler fell. Luckily, he was wearing a very sturdy helmet and the bike seat fully contained all of his body within the plastic frame. He scraped his hand, but no head wounds or broken bones.
We nursed beside the trail for a few moments as Reed checked over the seat and re-installed it. North hovered over his brother and gave him kisses. All four of us needed to calm down before we could resume our ride. Once we were ready, Skyler willingly got back into his seat. Yea for breastfeeding and emotional healing! Although on the ride back, I had to restrain my urge to reach back and hold onto Sky's seat.
But we made it back to the car. The boys ran through the parking lot puddles as Reed and I packed the bike stuff. Can you remember running through puddles as a child? Especially when you know you shouldn't? Both boys were so gleeful as they progressively got wetter and wetter. Sky had the biggest laugh, North ran and ran. The evening darkened past sunset.
But we all survived.
Monday, November 8, 2010
and yet more educational thoughts....
I really need to do research on Sir Ted Robinson as he has been entering my awareness from all kinds of different angles lately.
His words resonate so strongly with my hazy, not-yet gelled gut feelings about the types of formal education my children should receive.
The current cultural mindsets, the inconsistencies of cognitive stimulation; his words don't quite sum up all my own thinking regarding formal education. Rather, his speeches on education remind me to stay current on the educational choices. To make myself more educated about the philosophies and goals of the current system.
I need to keep thinking about this more. I refuse to follow the current model just to be a sheep leading more sheep. I see positive points in our current public/private school model ( and to say that a family should be loyal just because our country provides for all kids is not a positive point - when our country can provide for all EQUALLY, then I will feel pride towards our schooling.) However, I also refuse to expect and therefore educate my children, by pushing them onto the fast track into college.
I remember the summer after my senior year of high school in which I was adamant I was not going to college. For the most part my feelings were about rebellion and a personal response towards major transitions, but what if I had followed through with walking away? My life path would have been certainly been lost. I had no other goals or strengths at that time. I would have certainly floundered. That in itself was not inherently bad, but without any other positive direction being present in my life (yes, I understand that I was very fortunate to be directed into a college path), who could have said I wouldn't have turned to drugs or other life de-railers?
The point being for me is that I want my kids to choose their own adventures. Whatever way it takes they will see life for all its options. I hope that they can embrace life not as a linear path, but cobweb of choices. Some directions they will choose and then sometimes other paths will take them into opportunities to embrace and learn from.
My kids will be given the tools to succeed and fail. When they fail, I hope that I will have taught them to take a moment to look around and appreciate the space they have fallen into. And then they will stand back up again.
Divergent thinking. I am totally into that.
His words resonate so strongly with my hazy, not-yet gelled gut feelings about the types of formal education my children should receive.
The current cultural mindsets, the inconsistencies of cognitive stimulation; his words don't quite sum up all my own thinking regarding formal education. Rather, his speeches on education remind me to stay current on the educational choices. To make myself more educated about the philosophies and goals of the current system.
I need to keep thinking about this more. I refuse to follow the current model just to be a sheep leading more sheep. I see positive points in our current public/private school model ( and to say that a family should be loyal just because our country provides for all kids is not a positive point - when our country can provide for all EQUALLY, then I will feel pride towards our schooling.) However, I also refuse to expect and therefore educate my children, by pushing them onto the fast track into college.
I remember the summer after my senior year of high school in which I was adamant I was not going to college. For the most part my feelings were about rebellion and a personal response towards major transitions, but what if I had followed through with walking away? My life path would have been certainly been lost. I had no other goals or strengths at that time. I would have certainly floundered. That in itself was not inherently bad, but without any other positive direction being present in my life (yes, I understand that I was very fortunate to be directed into a college path), who could have said I wouldn't have turned to drugs or other life de-railers?
The point being for me is that I want my kids to choose their own adventures. Whatever way it takes they will see life for all its options. I hope that they can embrace life not as a linear path, but cobweb of choices. Some directions they will choose and then sometimes other paths will take them into opportunities to embrace and learn from.
My kids will be given the tools to succeed and fail. When they fail, I hope that I will have taught them to take a moment to look around and appreciate the space they have fallen into. And then they will stand back up again.
Divergent thinking. I am totally into that.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Halloween Weekend
Friday my mom took North on an adventure in her race car. (All cars are race cars except mine and Reed's.) She took him to the park, the Discovery museum, talked with the driver who does horse and carriage rides, ate bagels for lunch and rode the carousel. They did all this and were only an hour late for nap! I was impressed.
Friday evening we carved pumpkins.
Sky was just a little excited about getting to stand on top of our table.
Both boys colored their little pumpkins while Mom and I carved the big ones.
Sky played the harmonica a little too. It is good to have mood music.
We played at Trinidad State Beach. Going to the ocean is another requirement of a Mom visit.
We don't usually bring toys to the beach. North is really good at finding seaweed ropes and shells. He also loves digging big holes with his hands. He is becoming a great rock climber with a great strength and body awareness.
Sunday morning Reed joined us for "Boo at the Zoo." Kids in costumes, fun activities, and animals looking inside hollow pumpkins for treats: I love living up here. There is no shortage of amazing activities for families to do together.
The goats in the barnyard kept head-butting Skyler. I think the animals were confused by his big ears and long white coat.
After a nap and dinner, we drove over to the Community Center for a Halloween Carnival. North was really into the games this year. There were lots of kids around which meant some waiting times, but North was patient.
Participating in the cookie walk.
Sky couldn't understand why North won a cookie. After winning North stopping playing the game, but Sky and I stayed in. Twice, the music stopped with Sky and I right by the cookie table. He wanted a cookie like his brother! How do you explain the rules of a cake walk to a 15 month old? Luckily North was not into his cookie after the first bite and so was happy to share his prize with Sky. Whew. I was tired of walking around in circles.
This was the first year we tried door-to-door trick or treating. The boys got into the idea VERY quickly. The first few houses, I had to stop Sky from going into each house. Logically, I had to agree with him. Why should he accept treats and not go inside for a visit? It is polite, after all. After a few houses, he really got the idea and would race up the walkways to bang on the door with his brother.
No lack of self-confidence from these kids tonight.
Friday evening we carved pumpkins.
Sky was just a little excited about getting to stand on top of our table.
Both boys colored their little pumpkins while Mom and I carved the big ones.
Sky played the harmonica a little too. It is good to have mood music.Saturday morning, North and I rode my bike (North in the attached seat) over to a birthday party of a school friend. It was a fantastic costume party at Redwood Raks. Very cool. While we were there, Mom and Skyler went to the Farmers Market, browsed the Plaza stores and bought peanut butter from the Coo-op. She must go the the Co-op each time she visits. It is an obsession.
We played at Trinidad State Beach. Going to the ocean is another requirement of a Mom visit.
We don't usually bring toys to the beach. North is really good at finding seaweed ropes and shells. He also loves digging big holes with his hands. He is becoming a great rock climber with a great strength and body awareness.
Sunday morning Reed joined us for "Boo at the Zoo." Kids in costumes, fun activities, and animals looking inside hollow pumpkins for treats: I love living up here. There is no shortage of amazing activities for families to do together.
The goats in the barnyard kept head-butting Skyler. I think the animals were confused by his big ears and long white coat.
After a nap and dinner, we drove over to the Community Center for a Halloween Carnival. North was really into the games this year. There were lots of kids around which meant some waiting times, but North was patient.
Participating in the cookie walk.
Sky couldn't understand why North won a cookie. After winning North stopping playing the game, but Sky and I stayed in. Twice, the music stopped with Sky and I right by the cookie table. He wanted a cookie like his brother! How do you explain the rules of a cake walk to a 15 month old? Luckily North was not into his cookie after the first bite and so was happy to share his prize with Sky. Whew. I was tired of walking around in circles.
This was the first year we tried door-to-door trick or treating. The boys got into the idea VERY quickly. The first few houses, I had to stop Sky from going into each house. Logically, I had to agree with him. Why should he accept treats and not go inside for a visit? It is polite, after all. After a few houses, he really got the idea and would race up the walkways to bang on the door with his brother.
No lack of self-confidence from these kids tonight.
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