Archive for the ‘Parent Notes’ Category
Play Fosters Learning
March 2nd, 2010 | Author: Shannon
Indoor play areas can be imbued with natural colors and objects that come from nature or reflect the natural world.
This picture is of our play area and this gateway serves as a doorway into the incredible world of the beaming imaginations of young children.
This area has been:
~ A doctors office.
~ A library.
~ A restaurant/ coffee shop/ bakery.
~ A fire station with rescue workers poised and ready.
~ A construction site.
It changes daily and these young ones are learning so many vital skills as they create and re-create stories. They see themselves as heroes and heroin.
I’ve been reading through early childhood materials that act as a guideline for what teachers are “supposed to do” in their classrooms. This kind of play fosters:
Language development- as the children communicate with one another they are listening, comprehending and speaking.
Literacy- as they learn to tell stories they become interested in writing stories and see their story as book worthy.
Mathematics- the spatial relationships between items and object and the materials teach geometry and patters.
Creative Arts- this is dramatic play where the children see themselves as others and take on roles.
Social and Emotional Development- as the children play together in their world, “un- adulterated” they are learning to cooperate, self- regulate, and have social relationships with peers.
Approaches to Learning- they are interested and curious, engaged and persistent and are finding their own solutions as they use these other skill domains.
Physical Health- these play stands are moved and removed and covered and uncovered a bazillion times, using fine and gross motor skills. As they engage in the play (especially doctors office play) they are also demonstrating understanding of good healthy practices.
(In bold are 7 of the 8 domains of early child development per Head Start).
Play is REALLY fundamental to learning.
How have you fostered a child’s imagination today?
This is part of the 30 minute blog challenge of Steady Mom. Post time start to finish 30 minutes.
A Spectacular “T.V.” Lunch
February 9th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
There are all sorts of ways to enjoy nature: hiking, walking, running, stroller riding, investigating, learning, adventuring… but to me, one of the greatest ways to enjoy it is eating.
I remember backpacking trips where the entire day was full of splendid views, animals, butterflies, flowers, and what I remember the most is sitting down at the end of the day with my little whisperlite stove and cooking up something good.
I remember trips to beach with my grandparents, playing in the sand and the surf, flying kites, and going on walks yet what sticks out the most? Eating peanut butter and jelly and being told that this is why they call it a SANDwich.
I remember schools trips where we snacked in parks, fields, or in the woods: I even remember in first grade there was a huge forsythia bush that we played and ate under.
These days I love to take the kids in the stroller or just out out backdoor into the back field where we sit on a blanket and have a picnic.
It tickled me to death the day my son and his friend took their lunch trays out the backdoor for a “T.V.” lunch- this is what it looked like!
Kids are so creative when the walls of the house aren’t barriers.
How have you opened the door for your children today?
This is part of the 30 minute blog challenge of Steady Mom. Thanks for stopping by and remember to check out all the other great posts and help Jaime in supporting Love 146.
Love is in the air
February 1st, 2010 | Author: Shannon
It’s February! One more month till planting begins! It’s also Black History Month, so many US Presidents were born this month that we honor them with Presidents Day… and of course it’s Valentines Day! There’s lots of love about February.
I am offering myself some self-love too by sharing with you the Best of Backyard Mama. In case you missed these posts or just found me and haven’t the time to dig through the archives. These are my picks so enjoy!
Best of Backyard Mama
Butterfly Paradise (and related posts)
How to Build a Simple Tipi Fort
Materials that Encourage Creativity and Outside Play
Ready Set Fall! 10 Ways to Enjoy the Season
What do you think? Show some love, what are your favorite posts?
Dreaming My Life
January 28th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I want to write a book.
Be a children’s yoga teacher.
Teach children about nature.
Be an awesome gardener and grow most of my own food.
I want to be a great friend, the best mother, and the most nurturing wife.
I want it ALL. NOW.
The past fall Lisa Tener had a contest on her blog called It’s An Authors Dream Contest. This is what I wrote:
“The meat of my book is to share my excitement and love of nature and children with my readers. I want to inspire the least outdoorsy mama to take her little ones to the park and turn over rocks to look for bugs and the most A-type mama to take a break between power meetings to wade in a creek and look for minnows and empower a school teacher to plant a garden or lead a mini outdoor yoga class at the beginning of the school day- barefoot on the school lawn. I want to share games and songs and riddles to beaming children with ear to ear smiles as they catch butterflies or dance with the ocean surf.
“In five years, I will wake up to the chirping of the morning birds to meditate and practice yoga before anyone in the house has moved. I will eat fresh fruits granola and yogurt with my children as they ready themselves for school. We will ride our bikes to school. I will teach yoga in the afternoon and workshops on children and nature on the weekend. I will be the director of a nature based preschool or will serve on the board and volunteer in the classrooms. My youngest will attend the preschool and those days I will have some time for writing. I will be working on my second book about children and spirituality (or perhaps it will be published?) This would leave time for a third- a story about my ancestors. Oh this is fun!”
Well, I won the contest and I got to attend The Dream Party. And it really helped solidify for me what it is I really want. At this party I asked the Dream Team a question, “How do you balance between what is going on in your life and your dreams?”
Circumstances in my life have changed since September. I have a new little girl to care for, and many important things in my life that are happening right now. My actual writing of a book is on the back burner, but here I am blogging and I believe that these are the baby steps towards my dream.
What I Really Want:
I want the house to be cleaned everyday. I want clean dishes, floors, laundry, and children. I want my son to be kind, generous and confident. I want a happy relationship with my handsome husband; I want my husband to be totally content with his life and our life together. I want time to myself everyday. And I want my son to go to sleep at 7 pm every night by himself after eating a hearty, healthy meal. I want beautiful weather and lots of outside playtime. I want a spectacular garden and a heated greenhouse in which to grow winter vegetable. I want 12 hours of daylight year round and rain… but not too much and only at night. I want big juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce and crunchy cucumbers. I want an endless supply of compost and straw. I want healthy chickens that lay big brown or blue eggs and docile goats with delicious milk. I want my son to never talk back to me and my husband to always agree with all my plans.
I want a lot… so I am working on myself and looking to accept and be grateful for what I have and set realistic goals.
I am taking a Children’s Yoga Teacher Training right now. I get one weekend a month to go to Boston, hang out, learn new stuff and enjoy myself. My family and friends take time to support me and take care of the kids, the house etc.
I am asking for one night out a week. And my husband reluctantly agrees. But come on can I blame him? He works outside in 20 degree weather and does his best to bring home the bacon. He wants nights off too! (And I do encourage him to take his time) but when I tell him that I am tired from being with the kids all day. He smirks. He’s REALLY tired.
My son is learning, testing boundaries, growing, changing, having growth spurts, and scary dreams. His life is fluctuating and changing with little input from him. We shuffle him around from here to there (not that much but sometimes) and gosh golly, he wants his mom to put him to bed at night. So I do.
This is my life. It’s the life I dreamed before I had this life. Now that I have this, I want MORE, MORE, MORE.
I am living my dream life. I have little children to love and cherish. I have a wonderful husband who is skilled and gentle. I have a cute home with a great yard. I have a wonderful blog and blogging community where I get a lot of my social needs met and I get to practice writing, so that someday I will write that book I am dreaming. I have a daycare in my home, thus the nature based preschool.
There are many people who have helped me get to where I am… and although most will probably never read this post, I want to take a minute of my time to just say THANK YOU…….. (with a long silent pause).
Just like a seed planted in the ground, my dreams are being watered by the love and care of those around me and me, with time, the dream seed with cast away its protective coat and the little seedling will emerge growing towards the light. The seedling will continue to grow, transforming in to a plant that looks nothing like the original seedling. That plant is the dream realized.
For now, I am adding fertilizer to the soil, watering, and waiting. Patience grasshopper. Patience.
This is part of the link up of Strocel.com. Amber is one of my favorite bloggers, she is full of inspiration, insight, humor, and wisdom. I am excited to participate in Crafting My Life.
An Honest Scrap Award Goes To…
January 26th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I was tickled to death today when I found in the archives of Twitter a message that I had been tagged for an Honest Scrap Award by @AlisonKerr of Loving Nature’s Garden.
To accept this award (which I do!) I must reveal 10 honest things about myself that you wouldn’t know by reading this site… hum… And then I must tag 7 blogger buddies.
To those I tag, I apologize in advance if this kind of thing is terribly inconvenient. I have enjoyed reading the lists of others and am excited to share about myself.
1) I spend most of my time with children; I am very uncomfortable in a room full of adults. I do love to socialize, but do so carefully.
2) Half a margarita and I am wasted.
3) I have lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Illinois, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Arkansas, Texas, Guatemala and Australia.
4) I am a Grey’s Anatomy addict. I record every show and watch them endlessly.
5) I support local businesses and think large chains are damaging to a healthy society… that said, I LOVE Starbucks coffee.
6) I am ignorant to pop culture; I grew up without TV and often feel like a total social outcast cause of this. Thus #4 is particularly interesting to me.
7) I have a problem with books… I buy too many, own too many, and need to build an addition onto my house to accommodate them.
I don’t know how to turn off smiley faces in word press, so since this is #8, it has a smiley face. (If you had paid attention to my other lists to might know this, but I find it amusing). Can anyone help me?
9) I am in love with Matt Damon and have watched Dogma too many times.
10) I have a weakness for chocolate (I like if it’s organic, milk, dark or white … if it’s chocolate I’ll eat it) and Ben & Jerry’s Mint Chocolate Oreo.
Drum role….
Tag… you’re it!
1) Erin of exhale. return.to.center is a neighbor and wonderful blogger. She is full of helpful tips, thoughtful reflections and exciting adventures shared with her family on their small homestead on the rural edge of suburbia.
2) Debi of Go Explore Nature is a woman after my own heart. She writes of her nature adventures with her boys in southern California. She is full of energy, great ideas, is a prolific blogger and I bet if we lived closer we’d likely go on a few adventures together.
3) Amber of strocel.com I am in awe of her. I seem to “run into” posts of hers all over the Internet. I can’t believe it. Plus, she comments everywhere. I know from reading her blog that she occasionally forgets things, and has two small children, but I am amazed at her writing, her insight, her vast energy and am intrigued to find out more!
4) MJ of TurnItUpMom I love the byline of her blog. “May you be happy, May you be free…” The next part’s my favorite, but you’ll have to stop by and check her out to see what it is! We are kindred spirits of sorts as we love to dance with our children.
5) Suz of Slow Family Online, her pictures are amazingly beautiful and her blog is full of inspiration and surprises; with a wealth of experience raising children in a slow family kind of way.
6) Jaime of Steady Mom is a recently publish author, with three kids and such grace in parenting that I often wish I could be a fly on the wall in her house to observe with out intruding… and see how she does it all so beautifully. I can’t wait to read her book or find out some “other” things about her.
7) Suna of Lobster Monkey is an “old” friend from college. I was ecstatic to find her blog and be able to follow her through her days… but the reality is I barely know her despite this connection, she has become this inspiring, crafty, mindful, dedicated mother and I’d love to know a more about her.
That’s a wrap. I realize that I have only tagged mothers, women like me working to get through the day with children, be true to ourselves and our families. So please take it as a compliment that I am so interested in finding out more about you… and sharing a little bit about myself too!
Imaginative Indoor Play
January 19th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I love outdoor play. I find that my children are happier, calmer, more content and helpful after a good session of outside play. These past few weeks of winter have been tough for even me to get outside.
It takes at least 20 minutes to get two 3 year olds, one 18 month old, a 7 month old and a mother ready to get outside with snow pants, jackets, boots, hats, and gloves; then after 10 minutes outside one 3 year old inevitably declares, “Shannon I need to go potty.”
So I, baby on back, big bulky coat, snowy shoes, trek inside to attend to the bathroom issues. Nine times out of ten, the wonderful play that was happening outside is so disrupted that we end up back inside… undressed and running wild.
So today I decided to think of things I could do with kids inside that don’t involve the TV or video games and that encourage creativity and play within the confines of my home. Here’s what I’ve came up with:
1) Build a fort. Today every toy in the house ended up under the dining room table. It became a store, a doctor’s office, a restaurant through the creative, genious, imagination of three year olds.
2) Family yoga. I love the CD’s Happy and Cozy by Shakta Kaur Khalsa with some lovely songs that lead children (and families) through yoga poses. Yesterday, we let off a lot of “steam” dancing and practicing yoga in our living room.
3) Tell stories. (With emphasis on the telling) I enjoy making up stories, sometimes they are silly, sometimes they have a deep meaning, other times, they are just simple ramblings that I make up as I go. I love to allow the children to add their own ideas to the story.
4) Play games. Active games like hide and seek, red light green light, Simon says help burn energy with some structure. Other games such as memory, puzzles, board games use more mental energy, and focus.
Kids need to feel important and valued. Being with mom or dad or a special caregiver who is engaged with the creative play of children is part of experiencing a healthy childhood.
I feel a little less overwhelmed by the weather now. We will always go outside as much as possible, but knowing that I have a few great tricks in my back pocket leads to peace of mind.
Sometimes though, I really do wish I was a seed and could sleep through the winter.
Gift Ideas from a Backyard Mama
December 7th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
Coveralls: This past week, I went from yoga class to shoveling manure in a matter of minutes. When I was knee deep in s**t, it occured to me that coveralls would be a great item on my gift list. Since some ladies go from indoor activites to outdoor activities on the drop of a dime, these warm, durable, doesn’t matter if they get dirty, coveralls can come in mighty handy.
Dr. Hauschka Products: I had the awesome opportunity to get a facial using these wonderful products. I fell in love with the relaxing fragrance of the Lavender Bath Oil. A touch of these products soothes any skin type and moisturizes even the driest skin (from a summer of gardening and a winter of hauling wood!). The gift boxes are affordable and give a wide variety of choices for mamas!
Muck Boots: Well, you might guess at when I added these to my list… let me share the picture, yoga pants, sneakers, and knee deep in wet manure. I spent a good 15 minutes cleaning off my shoes at the end of the day but still have to remember to take those sneakers off when I go to a friends house. Not great. These boots could solve my dirty sneaker problem pretty quickly!
Hot Cocoa: Here in Rhode Island we had a gentle dusting of snow this morning reminding me of how wonderful it is to curl up on the couch with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. Yummy! I like to know that my joy and serenity is coming without expense to other’s, so Fair Trade Cocoa is my favorite! And what mom will turn away chocolate?
Snugly Pajamas: When I was little, my parents would get my brother and I one nice shared present from Santa, then we’d each get some socks and new pj’s. I always looked forward to a fresh set of ‘jamas to cozy up in after Christmas. Us mama’s who spend so much time nurturing others, can really use a special bit of self-nurturing… these just might fit the bill.
Maple Syrup: Really this is a staple in every house. I love maple syrup on my pancakes and sometimes even on my ice cream! We sweeten most of our baked goods with it too. As a consumable gift, it a great way to keep down the clutter and a cute jar like this one can have lots of uses once the syrup’s gone!
Bomber Hat: A cozy, warm, hat (or hat, scarf, glove set) is a great gift for mama’s who spend lots of time outside with the kiddos. It’s warm- maybe a little dorky- but stylish in an outdoor mama kind of way. Maybe just calling it really functional, fun and cute is the most straight forward description. I have looked high and low for a hat like this… yup I sure hope one ends up in my stalking!
Relaxing Music: Music, meditations or books that can help mom kick up her hard working feet and unwind is a wonderful reusable, valuable gift. This particular CD is a Kundalini Yoga mantra that honors the divine feminine and the mother energy. A great way to strengthen mama from the inside out!
Travel Mug: Many moms spend lots of time on the go shopping, running errands, taking the kids here and there.. buying chicken food! When I am out on the town I like to stop and get a special drink, but I really don’t like it when I clean out my car and there are tons of paper cups. A personalized ceramic mug could make the most special gift for that special woman.
What’s on your Christmas list mama’s?
Homemade Beeswax Candles
November 11th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
This time of year the darkness sets in so early that candles can be a really fun activity that can represent “lighting the way to a new year”.
Shopping List:
- Candle Wicks (available at craft and hobby stores)
- Beeswax (available at Amazon- might be available locally too)
- Other needs:
- Small sized coffee cans
- Newspaper
- Lots of pot holders
- A large pot
- Sturdy twigs
1) The beeswax comes as a big block; chop this up into small pieces that will fit into coffee cans.
2) Fill a pot with water and place cans of beeswax into the pot. Don’t let the cans float (remove some water if they do).
3) Allow the wax to melt in the cans. (Adding fresh chunks as the wax melts).
…….While the wax is melting.
4) Cut 12 inch wicks. Tie one end of each wick to a twig.
5) Remember to check on your melting wax! When the cans have 6-8 inches of melted wax, remove from the heat and place on a newspaper-covered area. (Note: use newspaper it’s a mess otherwise).
6) Dip the wick into the wax while holding onto the stick. “Dip it down; pick it up.”
7) Allow the wax to harden on the wick then re-dip… over and over and over again. Till the candle is large enough to fit in a candle holder. (To flatten the bottom of the candle, use wax paper and with each dip tap the candle on the wax paper- it will make the candle a tad easier to use in a candle holder).
Once you’re done, save the cans for next year (you can remelt the wax that’s left inside) and keep the newspaper for a fire in the wood stove (the wax on the paper will help the fire ignite).
Add some education to the process? Make honey cakes, use beeswax and talk about the gifts from the honey bees!
For more information or for guidance on making candles in a classroom setting, read Earthwaysby Carol Petrash.
Why I’m best at home in my backyard
November 11th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
I ventured out of my habitat this morning and am inspired to write a bit of a rant because I’ve gotta get this off my chest.
Why’d the anti-abortion community get the phrase “pro-life”?… it really doesn’t seem like these folks are really “pro-life” at all. And, although in conventional terms I guess I am “pro-choice” come on, who isn’t? (That’s WHY we have 6 different kinds of ketchup at the grocery store). I definitely am not “pro-abortion”.
I drove by Planned Parenthood this morning, all along the street were LARGE images of aborted fetus’, neatly propped up by well-meaning anti-abortion activists. Most of the images were very distorted, unrealistic and gross. I was horrified when I came to a full stop at a stop sign with my 3 year old son gazing out the window at these pictures. And the organizer stood by our car, a huge grin on his face, trying to hand us a leaflet. (I have studied the teachings of Ghandi and Dr. King and had to pull from this non-violent foundation to keep from ramming into this guy.)
Then, I got to thinking about how it would be for me if I was stuck with the “choice” of abortion and had to walk by these people. I am now convinced that anyone willing to go through that and actually follow-though is amazing, brave, courageous, and a lot of other things…. Is it really more responsible to bring an unwanted child into a world of violence or abuse?
I will not join a picket line to hand out “pro-abortion” pamphlets either. I feel that choice is between a woman and her God. And I can assure you, the guy grinning at my son was not “pro-life”; anyone with any sense would be embarrassed to have a child see those pictures.
With great relief I turned the corner to head home.
Back home to my natural habitat:
We watched a big tractor working on our street.
Did a little work in the garden.
Looked at some beautiful fall flowers still blossoming (and dying) in our yard.
Watched a blue jay eating at our feeding station.
Baked cakes in the sandbox.
And ate a “tv” lunch of fresh eggs and quinoa.
And THAT is what childhood is meant to be.
I have limitless gratitude that I was ready to be a mom when my time came; and I know my son is the one that benefits the most from this.
Children and Nature Movement in Rhode Island
November 10th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
“Perhaps because Rhode Island is the second most-densely populated state, Rhode Islanders have always promoted efforts to protect the natural areas that define their state through support of state and local bonds and creation of parks and preserves. The Ocean State boasts over 300 miles of coastline, and, thankfully, supports a number of growing efforts through conservation groups, schools and political leaders to get children out-of-doors to connect with the nature that they find in their communities. But like every state, Rhode Island can do much more — in fact, it could become the leading state in the children and nature movement.”
