I'm currently in the process of learning songs for the times tables. The reason being is that as Springy is coming up to 6 I want to ensure that she has, along with all the nursery rhymes and short tales that she has memorised over the past few yeras, a knowledge of her times tables based in simple memory. I know that children who learn these later often struggle so if I can get these in as songs now it will be easier for her later on.
I also need to cancel French from being weekly and set it back to fortnightly or even monthly. I'm aware that because of the tutorial being weekly I have become rather lazy at doing any French with Springy and yet in learning languages, it is so important for them to be encountered daily.
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Left vs right brain
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html
I saw this going clockwise at first but could reverse it. I guess that makes me dominant right-hemisphere for the visual side of me
"THE Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?
If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa. Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it. LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic detail oriented facts rule words and language present and past math and science can comprehend knowing acknowledges order/pattern perception knows object name reality based forms strategies practical safe RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling "big picture" oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can "get it" (i.e. meaning) believes appreciates spatial perception knows object function fantasy based presents possibilities impetuous risk taking "
I'm reading a brilliant book The Well Balanced Child - it's by Sally Goddard Blythe and is published by Hawthorn (Early Years series). It covers a lot of basic neuro development including the evolutionary aspects.
I saw this going clockwise at first but could reverse it. I guess that makes me dominant right-hemisphere for the visual side of me
"THE Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?
If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa. Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it. LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses logic detail oriented facts rule words and language present and past math and science can comprehend knowing acknowledges order/pattern perception knows object name reality based forms strategies practical safe RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS uses feeling "big picture" oriented imagination rules symbols and images present and future philosophy & religion can "get it" (i.e. meaning) believes appreciates spatial perception knows object function fantasy based presents possibilities impetuous risk taking "
I'm reading a brilliant book The Well Balanced Child - it's by Sally Goddard Blythe and is published by Hawthorn (Early Years series). It covers a lot of basic neuro development including the evolutionary aspects.
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Pumpkin Alert
I forgot to say that on Monday we got out first pumpkin for the season. Springy and I scooped out the seeds, kept them to roast (lovely with a little olive oil and sea salt in the oven - or even dry roasted) and made a little face (I did that bit with a very sharp knife). The pumpkin is a very traditional looking, plain orange pumpkin but it's a bit early for Halloween in terms of it lasting inside the house (heating - mould) so I think we're going to have a trial run with a candle over the next few evenings and then get another pumpkin/swede/large turnip early on next week. I love this time of year - we had celeriac and turnip mash the other night, with bangers (sausages) and it was so delicious.
We played our Hedgehog Game again (from the Early Learning Centre) which is good fun.
I've found a recipe for a gingerbread house so I'm going to attempt making one for the first time ever this season. We made some delightful gingerbread fairy cakes (cup cakes) recently (must post recipe).
It's half term this week so we've been catching up with some of the families with children in school. I'm ever so glad that we don't have to go back to school next week. We've been able to make use of the bright days and play outside when we can - I'm working my way through the flower beds in terms of weeding and Springy and I have planted crocus and tulip bulbs (the daffodils are already in).
Springy helped me today with work - she stuck labels on for me. She loves doing that - I guess that to her they are stickers.
We played our Hedgehog Game again (from the Early Learning Centre) which is good fun.
I've found a recipe for a gingerbread house so I'm going to attempt making one for the first time ever this season. We made some delightful gingerbread fairy cakes (cup cakes) recently (must post recipe).
It's half term this week so we've been catching up with some of the families with children in school. I'm ever so glad that we don't have to go back to school next week. We've been able to make use of the bright days and play outside when we can - I'm working my way through the flower beds in terms of weeding and Springy and I have planted crocus and tulip bulbs (the daffodils are already in).
Springy helped me today with work - she stuck labels on for me. She loves doing that - I guess that to her they are stickers.
Pumpkin Soup
Today we read one of our favourite stories ever and that is Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper. We also read a story book on dinosaurs which is by Jane Yolen.
As we were sitting there reading we heard a gnawing sound and I realised it was coming from near the bookcase. Springy and I spent the rest of the afternoon taking all the books off and moving the bookcase. Lo and behold underneath was a mouse nest - poopies, bits of chewed paper and several crusts of toast! Anyway, I vacuumed, dusted and changed the position of the bookcase - the energy was blocked there (in exoteric terms it was a very impractical corner to get into) and the room feels much better. I've changed all the books in terms of which shelves they are one and somehow the room feels bigger. I'm even thinking about getting a blackboard on the wall which is now open, rather than covered by the bookcase. Whether or not this has solved the mouse issue I do not know but at least I know where to look (and traps have been set again).
Tonight Springy wanted some more jelly after dinner, despite having had a small tub full at lunch. The jelly happens to be a natural fruit jelly with no artificial flavourings or colourings etc, but even so I'm allowed to say "No". Springy disagreed and had a meltdown temper tantrum so because husband and I were starting to get flustered and losing our objectivity (think of one of those old-fashioned weather houses where either the man or the woman moves forward depending on the pressure - that was us and we both kept having to step out of the room to take a breath because she really was being 'horrid'). Anyway, we phoned up Grandpa who is wonderfully objective in these types of situations and is able to act as a mediator. That is unless Springy decides she doesn't want to talk to Grandpa... She did after about 10 minutes speak to Grandpa - she didn't want to at first because she knew her behaviour was not right ("I don't want to because I'm in trouble"). Grandpa sorted it all out over the phone and I held and cuddled her (if I can calm down enough and not lose my temper, despite all the buttons being pressed) then I know that she isn't really every naughty - just bad at communicating or intolerant of my views. She apologised to us, sobbed a little at Grandpa and we discussed the jelly situation and she really did want some so I explained to her why I said No but also decided that (didn't tell her this) that in all honesty the jelly was not really going to cause any major issue. Therefore she ended up with jelly and do you know the real reason for all this? She was plain and simple tired out from lifting all those books today and being such a good little helper and I was too power crazy for that split second at dinner to see that one tiny pot of jelly wasn't a principle worth keeping to. :)
Parenting...
As we were sitting there reading we heard a gnawing sound and I realised it was coming from near the bookcase. Springy and I spent the rest of the afternoon taking all the books off and moving the bookcase. Lo and behold underneath was a mouse nest - poopies, bits of chewed paper and several crusts of toast! Anyway, I vacuumed, dusted and changed the position of the bookcase - the energy was blocked there (in exoteric terms it was a very impractical corner to get into) and the room feels much better. I've changed all the books in terms of which shelves they are one and somehow the room feels bigger. I'm even thinking about getting a blackboard on the wall which is now open, rather than covered by the bookcase. Whether or not this has solved the mouse issue I do not know but at least I know where to look (and traps have been set again).
Tonight Springy wanted some more jelly after dinner, despite having had a small tub full at lunch. The jelly happens to be a natural fruit jelly with no artificial flavourings or colourings etc, but even so I'm allowed to say "No". Springy disagreed and had a meltdown temper tantrum so because husband and I were starting to get flustered and losing our objectivity (think of one of those old-fashioned weather houses where either the man or the woman moves forward depending on the pressure - that was us and we both kept having to step out of the room to take a breath because she really was being 'horrid'). Anyway, we phoned up Grandpa who is wonderfully objective in these types of situations and is able to act as a mediator. That is unless Springy decides she doesn't want to talk to Grandpa... She did after about 10 minutes speak to Grandpa - she didn't want to at first because she knew her behaviour was not right ("I don't want to because I'm in trouble"). Grandpa sorted it all out over the phone and I held and cuddled her (if I can calm down enough and not lose my temper, despite all the buttons being pressed) then I know that she isn't really every naughty - just bad at communicating or intolerant of my views. She apologised to us, sobbed a little at Grandpa and we discussed the jelly situation and she really did want some so I explained to her why I said No but also decided that (didn't tell her this) that in all honesty the jelly was not really going to cause any major issue. Therefore she ended up with jelly and do you know the real reason for all this? She was plain and simple tired out from lifting all those books today and being such a good little helper and I was too power crazy for that split second at dinner to see that one tiny pot of jelly wasn't a principle worth keeping to. :)
Parenting...
Further to my recent posting on fairy tales I found this fascinating piece of historic debate on the subject:
http://www.socsci.kun.nl/ped/whp/histeduc/disc01.html
http://www.socsci.kun.nl/ped/whp/histeduc/disc01.html
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
Weaving, swimming and harlequin ladybirds
We've been to a country craft fair recently and there I went through how to use our weaving loom. Springy and I are creating a woven rug for her dolls house. It's going to be 100% wool and feels lovely and soft.
Springy is also doing well with her French. She's been so quiet and hadn't understood "Encore" so I let her know that Encore means 'Again' and also I told her some things in a very quiet voice which she could hardly hear and she now understands that if she is with her French tutor she needs to talk a little bit louder. I'm still on a quest to find a German language person - it's as much for me because I prefer German to French.
Swimming is going well - she managed a couple of strokes but then sank her legs down to the floor again.
At night, Springy is singing Mr Blue Sky (ELO) to herself, before she falls asleep. It's really fun to hear her. We've read a lot of Mr Men books recently, as well as our usual fairy tales and Elsa Beskow books. She is reading everything at the moment and trying to work out words wherever we go. She has also managed to do a number 8 herself. However, I'm going to wait a bit longer for academics - I'm fine with the fact that her interest has been driven from her very own self and I would not want to suppress it. The fact that she has these skills is going to make things a lot easier but there is still such a huge need for play and I don't want to take that away from her childhood. She's into building dens - unfortunately these usually happen later afternoon/early evening and we have to clear them up before bedtime (unless we want to trip up).
Today we made a bead bracelet - it was with hemp thread and the knots we did created a spiral. Springy helped thread the beads on and held the end steady whilst I knotted (it was complicated). It's really pretty and Springy has put it into her 'treasure box'.
Springy is also doing well with her French. She's been so quiet and hadn't understood "Encore" so I let her know that Encore means 'Again' and also I told her some things in a very quiet voice which she could hardly hear and she now understands that if she is with her French tutor she needs to talk a little bit louder. I'm still on a quest to find a German language person - it's as much for me because I prefer German to French.
Swimming is going well - she managed a couple of strokes but then sank her legs down to the floor again.
At night, Springy is singing Mr Blue Sky (ELO) to herself, before she falls asleep. It's really fun to hear her. We've read a lot of Mr Men books recently, as well as our usual fairy tales and Elsa Beskow books. She is reading everything at the moment and trying to work out words wherever we go. She has also managed to do a number 8 herself. However, I'm going to wait a bit longer for academics - I'm fine with the fact that her interest has been driven from her very own self and I would not want to suppress it. The fact that she has these skills is going to make things a lot easier but there is still such a huge need for play and I don't want to take that away from her childhood. She's into building dens - unfortunately these usually happen later afternoon/early evening and we have to clear them up before bedtime (unless we want to trip up).
Today we made a bead bracelet - it was with hemp thread and the knots we did created a spiral. Springy helped thread the beads on and held the end steady whilst I knotted (it was complicated). It's really pretty and Springy has put it into her 'treasure box'.
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Springy jumped in!
Springy's swimming lesson went well. This week she jumped in from the side without holding on to anyone and went under the water and, thank goodness, came up and smiled. It was the first time she's ever jumped in on her own and she really is almost swimming by herself - she managed a second or two. She keeps putting her head in the water at the pool and also in the bath at home.
French is working out and I really like our new tutor. She seems to understand under 7s need to move about, sing and so on.
Springy is so little at times. She smiles her way through life most of the time. The night before last it was quite upsetting though because she had "forgotten how to sleep". It appears that the Sandman has not been coming to help her sleep; even the Sandmama couldn't help. I ended up sleeping next to Springy and tried to settle her down but she was wriggling away. I felt so sorry for her.
Yesterday and today we cut out all TV, not even 5 minutes. We had cheese for breakfast, followed by a little cereal. We went for a walk in the afternoon and popped to the playground and had some nice storytime and then Springy settled down fine. Tonight I took Springy for a walk in the early evening on her tricycle - a bit more fresh air before bathtime and then we spent the evening colouring drawings (we did a park scene each) and then we had a story (October Little Acorns on St Francis) and The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Springy read it to me).
Update on Springy - she's now taken to reading books in bed. I tell her a bedtime story but then she wants to read a book to herself as well. I'm not going to stop her because I know that we are working within a very holistic approach so all the other stuff is being played and worked upon too. She built an amazing den this evening too using the Disney poncho from Grandma and Grandpa and 2 kitchen stools. This morning she used her cowrie shell as a telephone and held a rather amusing conversation with her daddy. I had to be the shopkeeper who sold it to her, along with the stone sausuage (it's a stone we found at the beach on holiday and it looks just like a sausage!) and a butterfly.
French is working out and I really like our new tutor. She seems to understand under 7s need to move about, sing and so on.
Springy is so little at times. She smiles her way through life most of the time. The night before last it was quite upsetting though because she had "forgotten how to sleep". It appears that the Sandman has not been coming to help her sleep; even the Sandmama couldn't help. I ended up sleeping next to Springy and tried to settle her down but she was wriggling away. I felt so sorry for her.
Yesterday and today we cut out all TV, not even 5 minutes. We had cheese for breakfast, followed by a little cereal. We went for a walk in the afternoon and popped to the playground and had some nice storytime and then Springy settled down fine. Tonight I took Springy for a walk in the early evening on her tricycle - a bit more fresh air before bathtime and then we spent the evening colouring drawings (we did a park scene each) and then we had a story (October Little Acorns on St Francis) and The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Springy read it to me).
Update on Springy - she's now taken to reading books in bed. I tell her a bedtime story but then she wants to read a book to herself as well. I'm not going to stop her because I know that we are working within a very holistic approach so all the other stuff is being played and worked upon too. She built an amazing den this evening too using the Disney poncho from Grandma and Grandpa and 2 kitchen stools. This morning she used her cowrie shell as a telephone and held a rather amusing conversation with her daddy. I had to be the shopkeeper who sold it to her, along with the stone sausuage (it's a stone we found at the beach on holiday and it looks just like a sausage!) and a butterfly.
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