My grandmother had a very green thumb. As my grandfather toiled away at getting alfalfa fields to grow and cows to give milk in a high desert climate, she turned their front yard into an explosion of color and scent. There were bright California poppies, delicate bleeding heart bushes, a huge swath of daisies, roses that were fuller and brighter than anything at the store, fascinating four o’clocks, little purple pansies (which she loved to sing about), and my favorites: the lilac and snowball bushes.
The Vital Importance of a Strong Foundation: Why Early Learning Matters
What About…..? : Looking for Exceptions to DAP
After a quick post on developmentally appropriate practice (with a vivid analogy) ignited a list of questions from readers, I started this series to look more deeply into DAP — what it means, why it’s disappearing, and what the consequences are.
Losing DAP: What’s the Cause?
I’ve been writing all week (and honestly, for years) about the importance of developmentally appropriate practice and why it’s so important to the healthy, whole development of our children.
The Cost of Ignoring Developmentally Appropriate Practice
The previous installment of this series on DAP ended with a quote that really resonated with me. It perfectly encapsulates the ironic environment we find ourselves in today. There’s a well-intentioned rush to avoid failure, by putting kids in situations that actually increase the odds of failure.
First Friday Q&A: How Do You Teach Kids Gratitude?
No one wants to be accused of raising a spoiled brat, but gratitude doesn’t usually come naturally. So this months’ question asks, how do we get our kids to feel gratitude and show good manners?