Lessons Learned…
Mom And Teacher, Hats
Easily Mixed-Up Occasionally
Visiting with some parents at a Head Start event, we shared
thoughts on high priority activities, behavioral habits, and experiences which
would serve to benefit their little ones greatly in preparation for
school. Simple things. Inexpensive
things. Things, however, that required a
faithful, never-ending investment of time.
Children represent great hope and great promise, and each parent in our
conversation clearly carried that twinkling spark of hope in his or her
eyes. We long for our children to
succeed and to watch their dreams come true.
Somehow, somewhere along the way, however, life seems to get in the way
and our very best intentions get hopelessly tangled in the mire that is the
lock step of daily living. Distractions lead to compromises of time and trade
deliberate learning and growing efforts
for auto-pilot screen-babysitters. Two jobs. Three jobs. No jobs. Life is very
hard. Raising children is very hard. That conversation at Head Start has continued
to reverberate in my mind over many years. As a teacher, what do I see? As a
mom, what do I do? With both hats on, and with a very humble heart here are
five simple thoughts on high priority activities, behavioral habits, and
beneficial experiences for little ones:
1.
Read to little ones. Read. Read. Read. Any books. All books. Go to the library. Get
books in their hands. Abe Lincoln had one book as a child. He read it over and
over and over again. Traveling through the pages of hundreds of books together,
my boys and I were able to travel in our imaginations to places we would never
be able to afford to actually visit.
Free field trips. Free vacations.
Never too tired to read. Never too tired to be read to.
2.
Eat healthy food. A bag of potatoes, for
instance, is less expensive than a bag of potato chips and so much better for
growing children. Simple fresh food is
typically less expensive than the processed snack-types and is completely,
absolutely better for you. Eat healthy.
3.
Drink plenty of water. Water supports the brain,
and the body needs so much more water than we think.
4.
Play. Forget about the fancy, expensive toys,
and use what you have to foster creativity and imagination development. Children need far less entertainment where
they passively observe, and far more mind-engaging, problem-solving creative
play with paper, crayons, rocks, sticks, water, and imagination. Play inside,
play outside, get lots of fresh air, gross motor with lots of flailing and
running, and fine motor demanding concentration; just must play.
5.
Enough sleep is unbelievably critical. Do not
ever underestimate the necessity of sleep for little ones. Sleep allows the
brain and body time to rest and recharge.
A well-rested mind is exceedingly more able to concentrate, focus, and
engage in learning.
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