Outside Inside

As I play and learn and observe alongside my son, I encourage things that will offer insight into all of his curiosities.  One way we do this is by bring the outside inside.  From sticks, to grass, to sand, to leaves, to bugs - we bring it in.  His playroom already has several things from nature that are permanent items - sticks, rocks, shells, pine cones, acorns, etc.  Its a great way to play, dialogue, and learn.

(Of course, everything goes on the light table for a better view.  :)

-AK

MESE, MECD

Sticks and Pine cones on the projector

Projected

One day we brought in rocks and part of a pine tree

This is my son (22M) and RLs daughter (24M) - they found a worm and we brought it in for further observation.

June 30, 2011 - my son at 2.5 - he found 2 worms and a millipede on our morning walk

 

Making a habitat for the worms and millipede

 

Shells, pine cones, light, mirror

-AK

You have read this article Playing with Light with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/outside-inside.html. Thanks!

MY MESSY CHILD

As I sit and watch him play
Im fully there in every way
A pour, a stir, a splish, a splash
Im witnessing a joyful bash
Mistakes are made, and even praised 
He problem solves, my child’s amazed
Through play he learns of his self-worth
Something I’ve instilled since birth
No shame, no correction, just free to discover
The wonders of this world he will uncover
The day is done, his hands are red
There’s sand and shaving cream on his head
A passerby stares in dismay
“Oh Dear, why does he look that way?”
I smile with pride, and the comfort of knowing
That all this “mess” is helping his growing
From blue toenails to purple knees
I smile at my child.....who is so PLEASED.

AK 
MESE, MECD

You have read this article Connection with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-messy-child.html. Thanks!

Its Playtime!

When we are fully present with our children during play, we foster self-worth, confidence, and independence (amongst other things).  Child-guided parenting does wonders for the parent-child connection.  Sometimes its hard to let go of our adult expectation/thoughts/lives....so here are a few reminders.

• Get down on your child's level
• Observe to see where your child it taking his/her play
• Respond when your child interacts with you (verbal and non-verbal interactions)
• Join in, but don't take over
• Narrate or track the child's play from time to time - "Oh, you are scooping the beans".."You are pouring the beans"...etc (this lets them know you are fully present and it makes them feel valued and confident in their play - not to mention its great for language development with the little ones.)
• Repeat what the child says from time to time - "I poured the beans"/"Yes, you did pour the beans."
• Instead of "Good job" try using phrases like,  "You sure do know how to scoop and pour." or "Look at the amazing tower you built." ( I also like "You must be so proud of yourself" in place of "Im so proud of you".)
• Allow them to play with things any way they want to (safely) - with no "right" or "wrong" way.

-AK
MESE, MECD

You have read this article Child-Guided Play with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-playtime.html. Thanks!

Instilling a Sense of Capability

My parents taught me to make my own breakfast when I was about 6 years old. I'm not talking about cereal with milk and juice. I woke up early and I wanted a full-on breakfast: fried eggs, grits, cheese toast and a glass of milk. So every Saturday morning I made myself this breakfast. I can't even begin to tell you the sense of capability I felt knowing I could cook my own breakfast while most of my friends weren't even able to bake their own cookies yet; and the feeling of knowing my parents had confidence in me was also a wind in my wings.

So one of the many topics of thought for me as I was becoming a mama was knowing that I wanted my daughter to feel that same sense of capability in herself and to know that her parents also had confidence in her abilities. I started shortly after she was born; she was too young for actual cooking, but I wore her while I cooked and narrated everything I did to her. And since she had numerous food allergies at the time WE COOKED A LOT! Once she was confident on her own two legs I bought a learning tower (http://www.mylearningtower.com/) so she could safely stand beside me and help me prepare, cook and clean up.

We spent most of our time connecting as I taught her age-appropriate safety. Some of the things we started out with was washing our hands of germs, washing fruits, vegetables and rice of sediment, safe places to touch a stove and pan, gentle stirring to avoid hot splashes, etc. You will figure it out as you go, being mindful of your child's age, abilities and understanding. Just remember to teach and guide rather than expecting them to know, because without experience and gentle guidance they simply don't know...none of us do!  ~ab

Sling cooking



Occasionally I helped from here.

Invitation to cook



Cracking and beating the eggs

 

Gently stirring scrambled eggs.

Hand on utensil and cooking tower.



Rolling dough for cinnamon rolls

You have read this article Cooking with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/instilling-sense-of-capability.html. Thanks!

SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH SNACKS

Independence, choices, problem solving, basic skills, etc - encouraging these things with your child is a great way to foster self-esteem and give them a sense of control over their own lives (ultimately reducing challenging behaviors for some children).  Not only do I see my son as a highly intelligent and capable learner/doer, I also want HIM to see himself that way.  There are so many things we, as parents, can do throughout the day to make our children feel competent, respected, and worthy.  The key to making this activity "PLAY" is that the CHILD initiates it.

Snack/meal time is a perfect opportunity to sit and connect with our children.  Its a great way to increase communication, language development, motor skills, and even basic academic skills.  I made these number plates one day and offered them to my son at snack time.  We talked about the numbers, I let him explore the plates, and then we made a game out of snack time.  I typically let him chose how he wants to play with them during snack - "Would you like to count them and put them on the plates?" or "Would you like to count as I put them on the plates" or "Would you like a turn or do you want me to have a turn", etc etc.  I don't ever want to make it a "chore" for him - I want to guide gently and I want it to be fun.  I have a drawer where all of his plates go - at snack time and meal time he gets his own plate (he loves this independence).  We can go DAYS without playing with the number plates - and that's fine - if he wants them, he gets them.  I also have a small pitcher for him - he loves pouring his own drink.

[I bought the plates at the dollar store (in a pack).  I wanted to be able to wash them.  These are clear, plastic plates.  I used a fat Sharpie marker to write the number on the bottom of the plates.]

- AK

This is the drawer with all of his plates.

Putting on 1 piece of Honeydew

Eating off of plate 3

Pitcher for pouring

You have read this article Cooking with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/self-esteem-through-snacks.html. Thanks!

BLACK SAND AND LIGHT

I thought this kind of resembled a zen sand garden.  My 2 year old son said "Wow, look at the colors when I draw with my finger.  That's so much fun".  :)

You need a piece of plexiglass (Home Depot), Acrylic Paint (Craft store), paint brush, Black Sand (Craft store), and light table.  My son applied the paint with some help from me - its best to thin it out as much as possible (that was where I helped).  You can use glass paint, which is what I intended to use - but didn't make it to the store - so I tried acrylic, which worked fine.  (Im going to use glass paint next time).  Basically just paint the plexiglass, let dry, pour on some black sand, and play.  - AK

Plexiglass and paint

painting the plexiglass

black sand poured on

drawing

We also put it on the overhead projector

You have read this article Playing with Light with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/black-sand-and-light.html. Thanks!

CLAY GLORIOUS CLAY

Clay is a great medium to use at home.  As with many of our activities, it can enhance a child's emotional and intellectual development.  It can also be quite therapeutic for some children, with its pliability and texture.  We use it in our homes to explore, imagine, and problem solve.  Its a perfect medium to use to connect with your child and encourage creativity. (You can find clay and clay tools at most craft stores.  The clay hammers can be found under SUPPLIES/DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLIES here on our blog.  I have the real wooden and metal clay tools, but they also make plastic clay tools if you are more comfortable with that.)  - AK, MESE, MECD

Working with clay

"Im making an airplane."

An invitation to explore and create with clay.

Hammering with clay hammers

"Im making a mountain."

Painting his mountain the next day.

So proud!

Cleaning up.

- AK (MESE, MECD)

You have read this article Clay and Crafts / Rainy Day Play with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/clay-glorious-clay.html. Thanks!

BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN

I dont know why we haven't written a note on this yet - I guess because it isnt really something we "created", but it still deserves a look.  Face painting - so fun and so hilarious at this young age.  Its interesting to watch them learn about their reflection and the proprioception behind it all.  I bought some face paint online and used a speech mirror (seen under SUPPLIES on our blog).  Both my son and RLs daughter enjoyed this - we prefer to let them paint their own faces. - AK

Face Painting - 1yr old

face painting

face painting - RLs daughter

RLs daughter

face painting

You have read this article Paint Play / Rainy Day Play with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/beautiful-children.html. Thanks!

Textured Painting

Rip up toilet paper into little pieces

Add glue

Creates a thick paste

Apply to paper

Let dry

Paint!

Finished  

You have read this article Paint Play with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/textured-painting.html. Thanks!

"Water Beads" and light

Ak first discovered these water beads.  She had used them in her classroom before and recently spotted them in stores.  Please see her original post on them.  

http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2011/06/water-beads.html

A water bead is a water-retaining polymer.  You can learn more about them here.  www.waterbeads.net  I decided to do a search on Polymers instead of water beads and had a much better result.  For those of you still having a hard time finding them, I think that would be a better search for you.  

Not only are these fun to play with just on their own but we've been having a TON of fun with them on the light box.  :-)  

RL  

Wow!

Put them on a light table for a whole new perspective!

After doing a search on Polymers I found these "Block polymers" from no other than my favorite store.... Discount School Supply.  LOVE them!  I added them to our products we love which you can see here.  

Products we love 

They didn't quite take block form yet.  We just got them today and I told my daughter she could play with them before she went to bed.  Will update tomorrow after they "grow" a little more.  

You have read this article Water Beads with the title June 2011. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2011/06/beads-and-light.html. Thanks!