I love this time of year

I love this time of year.  It has been a joy to see the children make a successful transition from home to school. School started smoothly this week with great energy and positive expectations for the experiences we will share together. I especially appreciate the support and affirmation the parents offer the teachers as we embark on this special journey. Teaching is a unique profession in that every year one gets to start over from the first day of school.  The teachers have worked diligently to prepare their classrooms and curriculum. They have planned every detail from the first minute of the first day to ensure that the classrooms flow smoothly and every child feels at home.  We are a school family and all are welcome here.

Parenting Perspective Brings Peace of Mind

Over the past week I have been reflecting on the enormous impact mothers have on the children I serve.  At Mom's Day on Friday I witnessed over 200 children sharing nature-inspired activities with their mothers. I enjoyed watching the special moments each mother and child experienced together and the unconditional love shared. Collectively when looking at the entire group I noticed the beauty of diversity. I was reminded that the relationship between mother and child is uniquely designed by the family culture each stems from.  There is not a magic formula to be a good mother or one right way to parent a child. The mothers I know work hard to be a great mothers.  They love their role as mother and put much thought and energy into taking great care of their children.  If I could do one thing to help moms, I would help them understand that their child needs nothing more than their time. If you are a mom please hear this: "You are perfect just the way you are! Stop reading parenting blogs of the 'super moms', stop comparing your life to a 'pinterest perfect' image and just be you! You are all your child needs to be a healthy, well-adjusted human being. Trust yourself as a mother. I do!"
With love and gratitude,
Becky

Please enjoy this article from Tedtalks on this topic.
Reflecting on Parenting Around the World

Raising Kids Who Care

I found this today and want to share it with you.  Our work with children each day are full of these opportunities.  Teachable Moments: Three Great Tips for Raising Kids Who Care

Spring-like weather brings excitement!

Warm weather in February makes me smile, big, grinning from ear-to ear smile! I have been dreaming of what the first growing season would look like on our new outdoor play environment and it is almost here!  Each day as I walk across the campus I admire the beauty of the new space and say a quiet word of thanks to everyone who made it possible. I am thankful to the teachers, the designer, the builders, the landscaping team, the committee, the givers and the doers! Each one played an irreplaceable part in the successful completion of the project.  I am in awe that this wonderful space was built in record speed and with such beauty and purpose. I am reminded how special it is each time I tour with a new family and it takes their breath away.  I love telling the story of how it was designed to inspire children to love nature and to love learning. Soon, on our March 11 professional development day, I will meet with the teachers and staff to start planning our first planting season. There are so many possibilities and the best is yet to come. As with all things in nature gardens, the mysteries of spring will delight our senses as new life grows from the barren winter landscape.  I can hardly wait!

Tips to reduce holiday stress for families with young children

Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

December 2015

How to get started:

Understand the child’s stage of development.

Inventory the child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Focus on the child’s interest areas and strengths.

Calming activities

Children cannot turn down their energy level quickly. Help them with calming techniques: slowly lower your voice to a near whisper, make eye contact, dim lights, play soft music, show them how to breathe slowly, read to them, stretching exercises and joint pressure/rubs. Television during the holiday season can over-stimulate children more than usual because the commercials are geared to distract their attention and play on their emotions.  Less TV is best.

Set a playful tone

1.      Children learn best when they are relaxed and know they are loved.

2.      When you are having fun your child will also.

3.      Take time every day to laugh. It reduces stress and increases your overall health.

Shopping strategies: scavenger hunts and shopping lists

1.      Children love to hunt for things. This can help you when travelling, shopping or waiting for an appointment.

2.      Have children categorize/organize their hunts by interest areas or topics. (ie. vehicles types, animals, shapes, ABC’s, their favorite color, number…)

3.      Children can list or draw pictures of what they want to find on their hunt so they can record what they find as they go. This keeps them actively engaged along the way.

4.      Use a camera (real or pretend) for the child to take a photo of the items on their hunt.

5.      Collect interesting items (trash or natural) for creative projects.

Health, movement and exercise

1.      Children need 10-12 hours of sleep each day.

2.      Holidays are full of extra rich, high calorie foods. Provide your child with a simple, nutritious daily diet to give them the fuel their body needs.

3.      Children need physical outlets often. Take lots of breaks and burn energy in fun ways.

4.      Run, skip, hop, dance, stretch, isometrics (body weight resistance), lifting or pushing heavy things can be done in very limited space. Use your imaginations and get ‘double’ the benefit.

Mind games for quiet times

Imagine with your child some of his favorite activities. Encourage her to visualize a “picture in her mind” and describe it. Ask him what color, temp, flavor, size, shape etc…  Who else is there? ” Draw it.

Music

1.      Children listen more effectively when music is involved. Give singing instructions.

2.      Make music together often regardless of ability just for fun!

3.      Set your daily routines to a familiar tune and then sing yourselves through the day. “clean up, now it’s time to brush our teeth, get dressed, buckle our seatbelt etc..”

Art

Carry with you an art backpack full of art materials for instant open-ended creating. 

Dramatic play

1.      Children process information through dramatic play. Allow time for unstructured play every day. Watch and enjoy!

2.      Role playing/rehearsals for special events. If you want your child to behave in a certain way you must teach them and practice ahead of time.

Parents:

            Take care of yourselves too!  Be patient, kind and forgiving of yourself.  Count your blessings and be at peace with all that is your life…. even the messy, imperfect parts.  You are one-of-a-kind and the most important person in your child’s life. You are enough and all your child needs. 

Peace and love,

Becky

Musical instruments add art and inspiration to our new play space.

Exciting progress on the outdoor play and learning environment is underway.  Brian Maupin of Dallas, Texas installed the first two of 5 musical features. Brian exceeded our expectations with the creative design of the mushroom drums and xylobone fish.  Here are a few short videos of Brian explaining his designs. Thank you Brian for being a special part of our playground project.

Kudos go to the Simpson Construction crew who have worked through some of muddiest conditions imaginable for a summer project in Kansas. The pavillion looks fabulous.  The river and hill features are now complete with a beautiful blue coat of pour-in-place rubber, (Jack and Jill's hill and Row, Row, Row Your Boat). The photos below were taken mid-week. Each day the play space unfolds and the vision for the space is realized. It has been a joy to watch. 

Last Child in the Woods

My first break of the summer came this week with a 3 day stay in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico. The beautiful blue skies, breath-taking views of the diverse terrain and flora provided a much needed respite from my hectic, busy life in Kansas. I had time to read, reflect and recharge and it was so good for my soul.  I read the most fascinating book, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv and it has compelled me to embrace a healthier lifestyle for myself and the children in my care.  Mr. Louv gracefully unfolds the realities American parents and educators struggle with in rearing the next generation of healthy adults, Due to our increasing fears about safety and over-scheduled lives childhood connections with nature are being lost for the majority of American children. I highly recommend this book as the #1 MUST read this summer.  It will truly transform your thinking about the decisions you make as parents. And, it will guide you to enjoy your summertime experiences with your children in new ways.  Here is a link to a short video for you to enjoy with Richard Louv talking about his book.
Last Child in the Woods with Richard Louv