Everyone knows that kids learn by imitation, but a few examples really jumped out at me today. I went upstairs to put away clean laundry. When I returned downstairs, I found Samuel eating a perfectly sliced apple. He had gotten himself an apple, then used a cutter that cores and slices an apple in one motion. (Now I wonder if he also imitated my habit of always washing an apple first?) One way or another, I was impressed with his ingenuity.
Now for a bad example. One of our neighbors has had visitors who hang around out front to smoke. Today, while I was bringing groceries in, I saw Samuel pick up one of the discarded filters and put it up to his lips. Yuck! He got a thorough lecture on the dangers of smoking, and also made me realize that sending smokers outside may not always be teaching neighborhood children the best of lessons.
Tuesday, January 26
Thursday, January 21
Play Time
My boys are as energetic as ever while I have been rather lethargic. One morning, rather than working around the house, I just played with the boys. This was an education for me!
The boys have become huge fan of Thomas the Tank and have the tracks, engines and cars to go along with their devotion. As I played with them, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much problem solving is needed to get the tracks to actually hook up in the same spot or to build a bridge to cross tracks without the extra accessories designed for that purpose. The boys decided what they wanted and made do with what was before them. I couldn't come up with formal curiculum to teach such valuable life skills.
Despite Samuel's communication struggles, I was pleased to see the boys' cooperative and imaginative play. Whole story lines developed about trains coming off the tracks and needing to be rescued, and none of it sounded like any of the Thomas DVDs they've watched. In other words, the boys weren't just scripting. This is a big deal for Samuel. It's as if he's getting a chance to develop alongside his younger brother who is following a more typical trajectory. Play indeed.
The boys have become huge fan of Thomas the Tank and have the tracks, engines and cars to go along with their devotion. As I played with them, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much problem solving is needed to get the tracks to actually hook up in the same spot or to build a bridge to cross tracks without the extra accessories designed for that purpose. The boys decided what they wanted and made do with what was before them. I couldn't come up with formal curiculum to teach such valuable life skills.
Despite Samuel's communication struggles, I was pleased to see the boys' cooperative and imaginative play. Whole story lines developed about trains coming off the tracks and needing to be rescued, and none of it sounded like any of the Thomas DVDs they've watched. In other words, the boys weren't just scripting. This is a big deal for Samuel. It's as if he's getting a chance to develop alongside his younger brother who is following a more typical trajectory. Play indeed.
Tuesday, January 19
Showing Strength
Yesterday my husband, some friends and I went to our state capitol. While we were not necessarily working on home schooling issues (to my knowledge we don't have any bills pending that would affect our schooling rights) we actively voiced our support of legislation that would protect our constitutional rights and opposed those that infringe on our freedoms.
Our state was on the forefront of developing the language that shaped our fledgling republic, so it was truly inspiring to stand in a crowd and use our right to assemble and to speak. It is reassuring that as Washington barricades itself further due to the terrorism threat, we can walk right up to the offices of our state lawmakers and tell them our concerns.
Right now, we enjoy some of the best home schooling laws in the nation. These are particularly important when teaching a spectrum kid -- some states (and even schools that misrepresent the laws) are willing to accept general home schooling but dig in their heals when considering a special needs child.
Those of you who are familiar with this blog realize that I advocate that parents get whatever assistance they believe is best for their child. If that includes services from public schools, that's the parents choice and should not be demanded by school administrators.
But in general, all rights to home school are fragile and will be strengthened only by a willingness to engage the political process. Tracking legislation via the internet, investing a day here or making a phone call there, will protect our right to seek what's best for our children.
P.S. One legislative assistant told me yesterday that they obviously have to track e-mails but that task can be overwhelming. A hard copy summary of bills supported or opposed is actually helpful and is likely to receive more attention.
Our state was on the forefront of developing the language that shaped our fledgling republic, so it was truly inspiring to stand in a crowd and use our right to assemble and to speak. It is reassuring that as Washington barricades itself further due to the terrorism threat, we can walk right up to the offices of our state lawmakers and tell them our concerns.
Right now, we enjoy some of the best home schooling laws in the nation. These are particularly important when teaching a spectrum kid -- some states (and even schools that misrepresent the laws) are willing to accept general home schooling but dig in their heals when considering a special needs child.
Those of you who are familiar with this blog realize that I advocate that parents get whatever assistance they believe is best for their child. If that includes services from public schools, that's the parents choice and should not be demanded by school administrators.
But in general, all rights to home school are fragile and will be strengthened only by a willingness to engage the political process. Tracking legislation via the internet, investing a day here or making a phone call there, will protect our right to seek what's best for our children.
P.S. One legislative assistant told me yesterday that they obviously have to track e-mails but that task can be overwhelming. A hard copy summary of bills supported or opposed is actually helpful and is likely to receive more attention.
Thursday, January 14
A Day For Grief
The extent of human suffering in Haiti is truly unimaginable. I have spoken of it only in general terms -- that there was a disaster and that people have been hurt -- and the kids have heard me pray for the people in that tiny island nation.
When Samuel, his brother, and I sit down again in a few minutes, we'll find Haiti on their earth ball. I had thought of using it to show them how the surface of the earth can quake, but decided that it would be a concept far too scary. Thank God I can teach them that he "who trust in God's unchanging love, leans on a rock that naught can move."
When Samuel, his brother, and I sit down again in a few minutes, we'll find Haiti on their earth ball. I had thought of using it to show them how the surface of the earth can quake, but decided that it would be a concept far too scary. Thank God I can teach them that he "who trust in God's unchanging love, leans on a rock that naught can move."
Wednesday, January 13
Story Time
We've "discovered" a new author: David McPhail. His book, Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore delighted all of us. What makes a good book?
I like books with rhymes so Samuel hears how letter combinations are repeated and how a slight change in sound can make a complete change in words and meanings. Actual story lines are important too, even if they're totally silly. Wondering what happens next keeps a child engaged in the story -- anyone can love stories, but few will truly enjoy the mechanics of phonics. Sadly, the latter is what so often is emphasized in child genius-type books.
A speaker I heard recently emphasized that these early reading years can be crucial for developing empathy and sympathy through imagination. Being able to put yourself in someone else's place greatly encourages kindness and helpfulness. Good books can help you feel what the main characters are going though and to empathize -- when they're scared, you're scared, when they're relieved by help, you're relieved. I think this will be a crucial skill to develop with Samuel since he is not likely to naturally be good at reading other's emotions and feelings.
Let's go find a good book!
I like books with rhymes so Samuel hears how letter combinations are repeated and how a slight change in sound can make a complete change in words and meanings. Actual story lines are important too, even if they're totally silly. Wondering what happens next keeps a child engaged in the story -- anyone can love stories, but few will truly enjoy the mechanics of phonics. Sadly, the latter is what so often is emphasized in child genius-type books.
A speaker I heard recently emphasized that these early reading years can be crucial for developing empathy and sympathy through imagination. Being able to put yourself in someone else's place greatly encourages kindness and helpfulness. Good books can help you feel what the main characters are going though and to empathize -- when they're scared, you're scared, when they're relieved by help, you're relieved. I think this will be a crucial skill to develop with Samuel since he is not likely to naturally be good at reading other's emotions and feelings.
Let's go find a good book!
Tuesday, January 12
Brother Can You Spare a Newspaper?
I miss my daily newspaper, and cannot understand the assertion that the computer easily takes its place. Even Samuel is used to my daily routine of reading my morning paper with my coffee. As a bitty baby, I'd let him cuddle up with me while I read the paper and eased into the day. Now he enjoys looking at the comics and the car section while I peruse the weightier stories.
Except there is no newspaper at the moment. The Times messed up our subscription so it will be a few days before we get it again. And I'm afraid that news organization is on a steep decline; it recently released about 40 percent of its staff and stopped publishing any papers on the weekend.
This is more than a minor annoyance because newspapers all over are having a tough time holding their own against electronic media. From a technological perspective, I can understand the problem. A news producer can sit anywhere and send her story via internet to the far reaches of the world for little more than the cost of having a computer and an internet connection. A newspaper requires actual ink being placed on actual paper and someone to deliver the final product to your house.
But the internet changes how we read and learn. Glancing over a newspaper page, a compelling photograph or an intriguing lead paragraph may draw me into a topic totally new to me, one I might not have realized could hold my attention. As I follow that story onto another page, other items draw me in and inform me on a broad array of topics.
We have already reared a generation of kids who don't know the pleasure of sitting on a rainy afternoon paging through the encyclopedia. How many times as a child, might I have been looking up, say, the state of Florida for a school report and been drawn into an article about frogs, then studied the pictures of all the different flags, and so on through the "F" volume.
Its this accidental learning that I'm afraid we're losing. Am I adhering to a buggy whip, like those quaint old folks of 1910? Maybe. But anyone who's truly interested in how his child learns should be aware that the medium can shape the message and the very fundamentals of what and how we learn.
Except there is no newspaper at the moment. The Times messed up our subscription so it will be a few days before we get it again. And I'm afraid that news organization is on a steep decline; it recently released about 40 percent of its staff and stopped publishing any papers on the weekend.
This is more than a minor annoyance because newspapers all over are having a tough time holding their own against electronic media. From a technological perspective, I can understand the problem. A news producer can sit anywhere and send her story via internet to the far reaches of the world for little more than the cost of having a computer and an internet connection. A newspaper requires actual ink being placed on actual paper and someone to deliver the final product to your house.
But the internet changes how we read and learn. Glancing over a newspaper page, a compelling photograph or an intriguing lead paragraph may draw me into a topic totally new to me, one I might not have realized could hold my attention. As I follow that story onto another page, other items draw me in and inform me on a broad array of topics.
We have already reared a generation of kids who don't know the pleasure of sitting on a rainy afternoon paging through the encyclopedia. How many times as a child, might I have been looking up, say, the state of Florida for a school report and been drawn into an article about frogs, then studied the pictures of all the different flags, and so on through the "F" volume.
Its this accidental learning that I'm afraid we're losing. Am I adhering to a buggy whip, like those quaint old folks of 1910? Maybe. But anyone who's truly interested in how his child learns should be aware that the medium can shape the message and the very fundamentals of what and how we learn.
Friday, January 8
Back to Routine
We've done surprisingly well for the first week after a major school break. The kids are bringing out school materials on their own -- we had a US geography lesson before I finished my coffee this morning -- and we've been running at just about full curriculum on everything else.
Although it's been chilly, the boys have been able to spend a lot of time outdoors this week, and I think that helps. When they come back inside, they're willing to settle down and do some quiet lessons. When they can't get outside, I've found school is like trying to get an Irish setter puppy to sit in the parlor and sip tea -- it's not easy!
We had a few inches of snow last night, so the boys are heading out for a while. Let's see if my theory proves to be correct and we can get school done later .... gotta go find the mittens!
Although it's been chilly, the boys have been able to spend a lot of time outdoors this week, and I think that helps. When they come back inside, they're willing to settle down and do some quiet lessons. When they can't get outside, I've found school is like trying to get an Irish setter puppy to sit in the parlor and sip tea -- it's not easy!
We had a few inches of snow last night, so the boys are heading out for a while. Let's see if my theory proves to be correct and we can get school done later .... gotta go find the mittens!
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