Whole Child Development
In last month’s First Friday Q&A, I talked about why quality preschool is so valuable, with the caveat that hanging a shingle that says PRESCHOOL and congregating with children, is not enough to qualify for the benefits early education has shown in established studies.
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.
I typically write about the early childhood realm. That’s where my professional expertise is. But as my own kids grow, I’m beginning to make some interesting observations about the span of childhood.
While my youngest two boys are still in the early childhood years, my oldest two are solidly in the school age years. (My oldest, in fact, seems intent on flirting with becoming a “tween”, which is puzzling to me, since I recall birthing him just yesterday.)
I’m starting to notice some of the perspectives and attitudes about “big kids” from a new vantage point. Just yesterday, my husband and I were talking about observations we’ve made as we’ve watched interactions in public playspaces. Not always, but sometimes, there seems to be almost an air of irritation when the big kids show up.
My voice is nearly gone.
The combination of a cold I picked up snuggling my sniffling 5 year old earlier in the week, together with three 1 1/2 hour presentations given in less than 24 hours time, has dropped my voice several decibels and quite likely a full octave.
It’s been a wild year! The past 12 months have tossed our family quite a few transitions. With a new job position for my husband, a new state for our family, and a new construction project to turn into a home (hopefully in the next few months, anyway), life has felt a bit topsy-turvy this year!
Once again, I loved having a chat with Heather Shumaker about her fantastic book, It’s OK Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids (*affiliate). As we wrap up the year’s read along, Heather talks about how to get started with the Renegade Rules, how to stay sane when you’re parenting in public, and shares some exciting news about her next book. (I can’t wait for it!)
If you’re new to the read along, check out the past posts starting here or here.
One of the most amazing aspects of blogging has been the realization that there are REAL people behind those author bylines on articles, posts, and books. Getting to know those real people is one of my favorite parts of this blogging gig! Heather Shumaker has been no exception — an absolute delight! Her book, It’s OK Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids (*affiliate link) is amazing, but getting to discuss each section with her has been no less so!
Before we close out this year, I wanted to have one last chat with Heather, to discuss her book as a whole, as well as her plans for a second book (oh yeah!). If you have a question for Heather, I’d love to hear it! Comment below, ASAP, and I’ll take that into consideration as I chat with her on Thursday, December 11th. I’ll be sure to post our video chat by Friday the 12th. Deal?
Asia Citro of Fun at Home with Kids has compiled a fantastic new book, and it couldn’t have come at a better time!
JM Barrie’s Peter Pan has always been one of my favorite stories. As a child I was mesmerized by Mary Martin’s stage performance, and, as an early reader, the book was one of the first “literary classics” I read. I loved it all. The flying, the pirates, the adventure, the humor. I wanted to BE Peter Pan.
Last night, I went with one of my sons to watch a stage production of Peter Pan. Watching him take in the show was the highlight of my night. The way his eyes lit up as the crocodile slithered onto stage. His whisper as he asked if Peter Pan would really drink the poison Captain Hook left for him. The treasured moment when he showed he believed in fairies by enthusiastically adding his claps to the audience’s to bring Tinkerbell back to life.
Afterwards, I told him how much I loved the story of Peter Pan as a child. I told him I once tried to catch a fairy by setting a sparkly, sticky trap, knowing that if I could just get some fairy dust I might be able to fly. I listened as he planned out loud, adding his 21st Century revisions to my simplistic fairy trap. (It was a much better design after adding cameras, robotic arms, and sparkle-sensors.)
As I drove home I thought of how much that night resembled the last scene in Peter Pan. Only moments before, Wendy returns home from Neverland. With one quick scene change, Peter arrives at the nursery to find Wendy a grown woman, her own child sleeping nearby. While Peter never did grow up, Wendy has, so her daughter takes her place in the next adventure in Neverland.
While I so vividly remember my childhood fascination with the story of Peter Pan, I am now “ever so much more than twenty” and, like Wendy, I find myself passing the treasured tale on to my own children.
And though I may try to make them promise they won’t grow up, it all seems to happen in the blink of an eye. One simple scene change. [Read more…]
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