I just reclaimed my blog from its lost in limbo status. Weekly updates will begin next Wed.
Until then think spring!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Monday, August 17, 2009
Linked to Squidoo lenses
I've started linking my squidoo lenses to my blogs. For more information on squidoo and using it as search tool go to http://www.squidoo.com
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Preschool and Kindergarten
It`s pretty common when you start to prepare your child for that first day of kindergarten for them to ask you, "But , why do I have to go?"
And while you have your personal answers ,you might ask yourself that question as well. It`s important that we, as parents, have a firm idea of what kindergarten is all about as well.
It is a mistake to see kindergarten as a huge academic leap into the future. When parents put so much energy into preparing their children to excel before heading off to kindergarten, they miss the point of this important year of school. Acting as though this first year was going to be their freshman year at MIT, you create even more stress and anxiety. The result is they go off to kindergarten already stressed and far more anxious than is justified.
Now this does not mean that preschool/kindergarten is not a good idea. Not only does preschool give them an early love of learning, it is also an excellent way to help them acclimate to the idea of going to school. And learning to go somewhere else and become part of an organized curriculum is a big purpose of kindergarten. So preschool gently starts that transition both academically and emotionally.
The main purpose of kindergarten is to help young children begin the transition to a structured environment of school. If by the end of the year, kindergarten children come to school happily, know how to work with a schedule, sit at desks, listen to speakers, write /draw things down and take them home and then bring them back again the next day, walking through the structured schedule of a normal school day, that is a huge step forward in preparing them for school life as well as life in general.
Yes, there is a curriculum in kindergarten and simple lessons are taught. Very often grades are not even kept or a good or passing grade is given just for being in class, participating in the group activity and trying to work with the program. The learning objectives that any kindergarten teacher will have for this year of life with these first year students is heavily slanted toward behavioral and social goals and not as heavy on academics. It is also a time to detect any learning problems, or other issues that may make school difficult in the future.
The kindergarten teacher is a much different kind of teacher. You will find your them to be very interested in each child as an individual and in helping your child make that transition away from living at home every hour of the day and toward using a significant part of their day at school. Commonly kindergarten teachers have special training in child psychology and are as much counselors and guides as they are teachers of lessons from books.
Get to know the teacher of your child`s kindergarten class. You will find he/she is eager to know all he/she can about your child to prepare each kindergartner for the years ahead. If you are in sync with those goals, you can reinforce the experience your child is having with encouragement and interest at home. Working as a team, you and the teacher will help your child have a wonderful and successful first year in school.
I taught preschool and kindergarten in a Quaker school setting for a few years. I personally saw how it helps and how children and parents both benefit from it.
And while you have your personal answers ,you might ask yourself that question as well. It`s important that we, as parents, have a firm idea of what kindergarten is all about as well.
It is a mistake to see kindergarten as a huge academic leap into the future. When parents put so much energy into preparing their children to excel before heading off to kindergarten, they miss the point of this important year of school. Acting as though this first year was going to be their freshman year at MIT, you create even more stress and anxiety. The result is they go off to kindergarten already stressed and far more anxious than is justified.
Now this does not mean that preschool/kindergarten is not a good idea. Not only does preschool give them an early love of learning, it is also an excellent way to help them acclimate to the idea of going to school. And learning to go somewhere else and become part of an organized curriculum is a big purpose of kindergarten. So preschool gently starts that transition both academically and emotionally.
The main purpose of kindergarten is to help young children begin the transition to a structured environment of school. If by the end of the year, kindergarten children come to school happily, know how to work with a schedule, sit at desks, listen to speakers, write /draw things down and take them home and then bring them back again the next day, walking through the structured schedule of a normal school day, that is a huge step forward in preparing them for school life as well as life in general.
Yes, there is a curriculum in kindergarten and simple lessons are taught. Very often grades are not even kept or a good or passing grade is given just for being in class, participating in the group activity and trying to work with the program. The learning objectives that any kindergarten teacher will have for this year of life with these first year students is heavily slanted toward behavioral and social goals and not as heavy on academics. It is also a time to detect any learning problems, or other issues that may make school difficult in the future.
The kindergarten teacher is a much different kind of teacher. You will find your them to be very interested in each child as an individual and in helping your child make that transition away from living at home every hour of the day and toward using a significant part of their day at school. Commonly kindergarten teachers have special training in child psychology and are as much counselors and guides as they are teachers of lessons from books.
Get to know the teacher of your child`s kindergarten class. You will find he/she is eager to know all he/she can about your child to prepare each kindergartner for the years ahead. If you are in sync with those goals, you can reinforce the experience your child is having with encouragement and interest at home. Working as a team, you and the teacher will help your child have a wonderful and successful first year in school.
I taught preschool and kindergarten in a Quaker school setting for a few years. I personally saw how it helps and how children and parents both benefit from it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Parenting and childrens goodies
My son is grown, but I remember my own doubts, confusion, and eagerness for information. That was in the 70's and computers used punchcards and floated down rivers on barges...
With the internet now, there is such a wealth of information and ideas available. Over the next few posts, I'll be sharing ones that my friends, coworkers, and myself have found that have unique offerings. If you are a home schooling parent, there will be many resources for you too.
One of the most recommended sites for both information and a community feel is http://www.cafemom.com/ It is for mothers -to-be as well which I found to be a great combination.
Kaboose is another wonderful site for parents and kids. I use some of their games at work, us grownups like a little fun! http://resources.kaboose.com/games/
Another resource I use for fun stuff at work although it is really a school site is http://www.learningtreasures.com/ . All those coloring pages, work sheets and online interactive courses!
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/ is a fantastic resource. I particularly like their calendar on the main page with listings of historical events and so on.
Have fun and check in a few days for the next post!
With the internet now, there is such a wealth of information and ideas available. Over the next few posts, I'll be sharing ones that my friends, coworkers, and myself have found that have unique offerings. If you are a home schooling parent, there will be many resources for you too.
One of the most recommended sites for both information and a community feel is http://www.cafemom.com/ It is for mothers -to-be as well which I found to be a great combination.
Kaboose is another wonderful site for parents and kids. I use some of their games at work, us grownups like a little fun! http://resources.kaboose.com/games/
Another resource I use for fun stuff at work although it is really a school site is http://www.learningtreasures.com/ . All those coloring pages, work sheets and online interactive courses!
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/ is a fantastic resource. I particularly like their calendar on the main page with listings of historical events and so on.
Have fun and check in a few days for the next post!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Summer's Here!
Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend. I took a few days off to help reorganize my husband's music store. It's amazing how much space the guitars, cases, and regular stock take up, not to mention the pianos...
The bins on wheels I found were cheaper at Big Lots than either the Dollar Stores or Walmart's. So if you are in the midst of a storage crisis, check out Big Lots for some good deals!
Some new content feeds will be up in a few days. Stop back and take a look.
Next post will focus on kids, now that school is out or ending...
Meg
The bins on wheels I found were cheaper at Big Lots than either the Dollar Stores or Walmart's. So if you are in the midst of a storage crisis, check out Big Lots for some good deals!
Some new content feeds will be up in a few days. Stop back and take a look.
Next post will focus on kids, now that school is out or ending...
Meg
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Welcome!
Hi! Come on in, pull up a chair and grab yourself a cup of tea.
You never know exactly what you'll find here. I'm transferring other blogs over to this one so I should have a an eclectic mix in the next few days.
What I post here are my best finds, things I have found valuable and useful, resources for life, things to do, use, make , or find as well as links to a wide range of other resources.
Looking for something? Let me know! I love finding things!
You never know exactly what you'll find here. I'm transferring other blogs over to this one so I should have a an eclectic mix in the next few days.
What I post here are my best finds, things I have found valuable and useful, resources for life, things to do, use, make , or find as well as links to a wide range of other resources.
Looking for something? Let me know! I love finding things!
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