Routine

I went on a six day and night trip with my wonderful daughter. We had some interesting chance encounters, a lot of good time to visit with friends and loved ones, and great mom/daughter bonding time.

I like getting away from my routine for just long enough to start missing my routine.

Thought for the day:

Routine is good. I notice that I miss familiar things, places, people and the things I do without much thought when I am away form home for more than four days or so.

Familiarity of our surroundings is comforting to young and old alike. It is nice to be able to flip on a light switch, push out a chair or close a door without looking or thinking much. In my own home these small actions I have done hundreds of times become part of my ‘muscle memory’. I push the chair out after breakfast with just enough lift to get over the worn spot in the carpet that has developed over months and years of routine use. The chair and carpet in the hotel or restaurant do not feel and respond in quit the same. I reach and find a light switch that I know is to the right as I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and falter; it is just a bit higher or lower than I thought. Returning home is comforting. Waking up in my own bed is a welcomed feeling after even the best of vacations. Going away from home makes me appreciate home all the more.

Montessori:

Routine in any classroom is important and useful to the teacher and children. Transition from one activity to another is often hard for preschool children. Routine helps to ease the children into the necessary transition throughout the day. In the Montessori environment children thrive on predictable routine. This is not to say the children are not able to be flexible and can’t benefit from the occasional variance from the familiar. Early in the school year routine will help the three year old that has not yet developed a sense of time to know that soon after the second time we sing songs mom will be coming. This can be very comforting to a child with separation issues. If the routine is unpredictable the child my have more anxiety for a longer period of time.

The young child knows what she DOES, not what you SAY she will DO. That is to say, if mom comes soon after you sing for the second time three days in a row, it is much more comforting to the child than hearing you say, ‘your mom will be here soon’. SOON is an abstract concept the child may not have developed yet. ‘Doing’ is ‘knowing’ at this literal time of life. ‘Telling’ is just not as meaningful to the very young child.

“Kids these days…”?

Good Morning Blog Readers

I appreciate your time and effort to visit this Blog. Thank you so much for dropping in to share a little bit of your life with me. Hope you enjoy this entry.

I am on the second day of a Road Trip with my daughter. We are having some great mom/daughter bonding time. It is such a gift to me that I get to spend this one on one time with her. Young people like her have such a fresh and non-corrupted view of the world and what people and activities have to offer. I always learn great lessons when I spend time with someone much younger than myself. Really, that is true of people much older than myself too.

I think we get stuck sometime in our own ‘dramas’ or ‘life circumstances’ that it is refreshing to spend time with people that are in a different stage of life than ourselves. I have to say something here; I have always disagreed with the statements that start with,

“kids these days….”! They usually are disparaging remarks about younger people. I feel that people are people and that our perspective changes as we age—as it should. I find that now that I am in my 50’s I have a much different perspective on life than young people—not that young people these days are less or more respectful, or more or less driven—it is just that my focus and tolerance level has increased or decreased as the case may be—therefore it ‘seems’ like young people have changed a lot. This all makes perfect sense to me—I have no idea if it will to any of my readers—let me know please?

Montessori:

The above statements are so true in the Montessori environment. How else could we be following the principles laid out for us by a women from Italy, many decades ago. I believe that children are children and child development is child development. The basics of how children behave, learn and develop are the same now as they have always been. The basics of what a child needs to grow up happy, independent and productive are the same now as they have always been. The world however is changing all the time and it is up to us to stay vigilant to how the outside world affects our children. Good principles and common sense is always a good idea—in so much of what life sends our way.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Road Trip

This morning was gorgeous; I took a walk around 7:30 this morning and had a cool breeze, birds, and sunshine to keep me company. The walk was restoring in several ways. I cleared my mind from the busy thoughts of packing and cleaning that were taking up my room in my head starting very early in the morning.

My daughter and I are on a road trip as I am typing this message. We will be visiting 5 states in 5 days to see friends and relation in the Midwest. I love road trips! They do not come with the same stresses that travel by plane has these day. I like being able to through in an extra pair of shoes and my nail clippers without worrying if I put them in the wrong bag. I also like seeing these great states of ours at ground level. As the typography changes I appreciate the gifts that each state has to offer. The changes come to me more slowly and are easier to take in on a car trip.

Thought for the day:

Don’t Worry—Be Happy??? That sound simple and good, but, do you notice like I do that people who manage to not ‘worry’ about things also tend to be the ones that do not care deeply about thing either.

Someone told me the other day that I ‘worry’ too much. It got me thinking—how did he presume to know if I was worried or just voicing well placed concern about the topic. What the topic was is not important, but, I feel there is a lesson to learn here. I think we would all be happier if we listened to each other more and assign judgments or meaning to the words less. Try to really listen to each other and not assume we know what the other person, “quote”, “unquote”, means. If we took each other at face value and did not try to ‘infer’ meaning we would have much better communication. This is one of those, take it or leave it moments—think about it before you decide if you agree—then I will ‘take you at your word’ and not ‘infer’ that you do not really understand you or me would agree!

Montessori:

Last night I was asked a very familiar question—“What is Montessori—is it just for daycares and preschool?"

I love it when I get to answer that question! I should tell you the setting, I was in the middle of my Tuesday evening quilting class. A fellow quilter who is the mother of 3 young children asked the question. My answer began this way; I told her that here in Omaha we have Montessori education up through middle school in both public and private settings. I continued to tell her that I knew of high schools in several states that offered Montessori education. Then came favorite part—the opportunity to help someone that is interested understand the richness that is Montessori. I said, Montessori is a philosophy, you could set up a sewing room in your home using the principles of Montessori.” Well, that really got a good conversation started. I briefly explained that Maria Montessori studied science, became a doctor and observed children to develop what we call the Montessori Philosophy. We can apply her principles of order, control and a prepared environment to anything we care to do. Another student, a much younger woman, said she was familiar with other programs that use order and carful preparation in areas such as healthcare to increase efficiency, productivity and accuracy in the workplace.

I smiled a lot during the remainder of that sewing class because I felt connected to those women just a little more that when the class began. When we see commonality within our differences, we get closer to one another, instead of farther apart—that was a very worthwhile experience for me, and I hope, for my fellow quilters.

The Best Things In Live are Free--is that easy to believe??

Good Morning all--and/or self--whatever the case may be!

I just took a one hour walk and only went about one and a half miles. I took my camera to 'slow myself down' and also picked up some rocks along the way--more on that later.

Walking with my camera is such a gift--I seem to see so many things that I would otherwise miss. Even if I do not take very many pictures, I seem to see more--curious?

Picking up rocks along the way serves multiple purposes. First, I get to collect rocks interesting rocks to put in the dirt around my house plants--they are more interesting to look at that just dirt. Next, I bend over a lot--therefore using muscles I would not usually exercise on a regular walk. Finally, it slows me down so that I get to be out in nature longer and not over do the walk (I'm still recovering from minor knee surgery).

On these slow, early morning walks I do some of my best thinking. I used to use head phones and listen to music or a book on CD. I much prefer the sounds of nature now. Sometimes the birds and bugs can be down right noisy--but what a nice noise is, it makes me feel peaceful and connected to the world.

Thought for the day:

"The best things in life are free." So true, but do you notice like I do, most people that 'see' life that way have money in the bank.

It is so much easier to see the good in your own life and other peoples lives when your basic needs are met and you do not have to struggle financially. I am one of the fortunate ones, as are most of the people I know. It is hard to put yourself if the eyes, ears and shoes of the person that struggles just to get by. Those are the people that could greatly benefit from seeing the wealth in free things.

On to another topic.

My 'new venture' is shaping up nicely. I have a line on two schools to become their 'music teacher' in the fall. If I could get those two and one more I would be very happy. I feel that I could keep very busy developing the program with three days in the classroom and two or three days working on lesson plans and making materials.

I have had one very productive conversation with an Elementary Music Teacher. She gave me a lot of information and good suggestions on how to go about writing a curriculum. I am anxious to get the ideas down on paper. My daughter and I are going on a 'road trip', that will give me a lot of time with my lap top while she is taking her turn at the wheel. I find I do a lot of good creative thinking when I am trapped in a car for hours and hours--I don't know why that is??

Reinventing Myself

I am back. So sorry if I disappointed anyone. I am going to do my best to blog every day for a month. It is not a promise so much as a challenge to myself. If you want to help--send me encouraging messages.

Posting messages is enjoyable for me. But reading peoples comments is really fun and interesting.

I have started my new business. This is about 5 years in the making. I was on a plane returning from a visit with my friend in San Francisco a few years ago. A very nice and interesting woman was sitting in the window seat. I was next to her. She was working on what looked to be a presentation speech of some kind. I struck up a conversation. That conversation started me on a path that has lead me to a new career. It goes to show you, we need to be open to new influences and reach out to one another. I think that includes being open to something you are not really looking for.

My new venture, Music Teacher in Montessori Schools, is proving to be a wonderfully exciting and fulfilling new venture. I think I will be good at it and I already know that I love it. I have contacted 6 Montessori Schools in my area and 2 of the Heads of School's have shown a lot of interest in what I am purposing. My goal for the first couple of years is to work 4 mornings a week, hopefully at one or two schools a day. I will plan and prepare in the afternoons and on Mondays. That will leave my weekends free. It is a plan, I hope to get enough interest to make it happen. I will also be offering to do one time "gigs" in schools to present music workshops to teacher or perform music for children. Both of which I think I am well prepared for and would enjoy doing.

I had my first job last Friday. It was simply wonderful. I enjoyed every aspect of the project. Head of School gave me the Theme and I ran with it. The ideas flowed like the swollen Missouri River. I came up with two new songs with very little effort; I made props, purchased supplies and performed the program with great success. The children were attentive, responsive, they participated and seemed to really enjoy themselves. I also got good feedback from the teachers. I could not have asked for a better start!

Well, that is enough about me. I want to ask a question of my readers.

Do you think it is healthy to "reinvent yourself" when life starts to get a little "stale"?

Now that I have asked the question, I will wait to hear your thoughts. Regardless of the result, I will answer my own question tomorrow or the next day. I hope this will interest you as much as it has me. I like thinking about this topic and I think it is good to "think outside our comfort zone" once in a while.

That is all for now. I hope to hear from some readers. (:} !!!!

Spring is in the air

The sun is shining brightly this morning. We are all tired of winter weather, hats, coats, gloves, and messing footprints on the floor. We yearn to open the windows wide and let in the fresh air. Seasonal changes is one reason I like living in the mid-west. When I get weary of one set of challenges that comes with monotonous weather--it will change.

Parenting tip of the day:

How much "praise" is too much?

Here are some of my thoughts on "praising" your child:

• Make praise genuine and appropriate. Flowery, "over the top" praise sounds insincere even to a 3 year old after a while.
• Use language that is meaningful and that fits the situation--not everything that your child does is "great" or "fantastic"--face it, eating lunch or putting toys away is what is expected--not "fabulous" or "terrific"--soon these "over used" words will loose all meaning--and most importantly--they will loose their effectiveness.
• Consider using a phrase such as this: You eat your breakfast now you have lots of energy to play--so let's clean up and you can play with your trains now."
• Should we be "conditioning" our children to "need" or "want" praise for every little thing he/she does all day.
• Praise as much as you can maintain--we all get weary of saying the same thing--children get weary of hearing the same thing over and over--therefore it looses effectiveness. Saying "great job" 45 times a day may make that phrase somewhat useless.
• Use statements of fact such as, "You put the blocks in the basket they look nice and neat." give a smile and that's all.
• None verbal positive interaction with your child is a powerful tool. I worked with a school psychologist that suggested a goal of 10 positive interactions for every one request that required cooperation. The positive interactions could be very simple, such as a touch on the back or head--a thumbs up sign, eye contact and a smile, lots of nonverbal positive interaction make our words mean more when we do use them--and not "over use" them.

I hope some of these "tips" make sense and are useful parenting tools. Good parenting is a wonderful gift we give to our children and to society--it really is, "the most important job" you will ever have.

Have a wonderful day--think good thoughts!

MissT

Hello--I have been absent for quite some time. I am back and want to make a change. I hope that any readers I have will find this change to be positive.

I would like to focus on child rearing, positive forms of discipline, and general parenting advice. I will continue to put inspirational bits and pieces into the blog. But I am finding a lot of young parents that really want practical parenting advice and I feel that I can give some valuable tips to parent, grandparents, caregivers, preschool teachers, etc...

I will take questions from readers and attempt to research and answer specific questions. Until I get some questions I will be posing questions or situations myself and attempt to address a concern that I have observed. I am hoping to get a lot of feed back from readers.

The first situation I would like to address is:

"What do I do when my 3 year old child screams in the house?"

My advice to parents or caregivers of a 3 or 4 year old child that screams a indoors would be the following:

• first and foremost--model the behavior you want--check yourself and your family members--are you using your "indoor voice"?
• next, calmly remind the child to use an indoor voice--model the behavior and try to get the child to imitate you
• the next time the child screams, gently but firmly take the child by the hand--take him/her to the nearest outside door--go outside and ask the child to "make that noise again"
• say, "good, that is an outdoor noise, please do it again"--continue this until it is not so much fun any more--at least 5 or 6 times
• then return indoors and say, "We use an inside voice when we are inside the house and an outdoor voice when we are outside the house"
• repeat each time the child screams--the outdoor experience does not need to be like a punishment--but it is not meant to be "recess" time either--it is just a way of emphasising to the child that you need the loud voice to be used outside only

This usually works very well--especially if it is a bit cold outside and the child is missing out of something he/she wants to do inside. Give this a try and let me know if it works for you.