As many of you know and for those who don't, I am embarking into new waters. I am beginning to shift my 'unschooling' plan into a 'project based homeschooling.' I'm trying something new. I found a core group of women with this same shared idea and we are going to start our own project building together with our kids.
We had our first 'adult' meeting and went through the Steps for "How to Start a Project Group" by Lori Pickard. From her book, "Project Based Homeschooling."
http://project-based-homeschooling.com/about
What is project-based homeschooling? It’s the same educational values applied to learning at home. It’s about
combining personal interests with long-term, deep, complex learning. It
is a way of learning centered on making, doing, sharing, collaborating,
and acquiring real skills.
You can use your ability to 'draw, paint, build, act, create' and incorporate them into learning whatever your interests are.
We had our first meeting, some of us as practically strangers, others have been life long friends. It went really well. 6 of us together were able to have a better understanding on our collective goal. We are all very excited about this endeavor. We decided to start a sharing circle with the kids at first. To include the 15min free play at the beginning of our meets with the kids. To have a meet 2 times a week at least from 10-12 if they last that long. Our kids range from 1.5 - 7 years old. We were talking about having the kids say their name and talk about what they did in the last week to get to know each other. For the next 3 sessions will be just allowing more creative play and having raw materials out for the them to build with while we begin observing and writing down shared interests, questions and ideas.
We hope to start a shared group project as of April 1st. I'll try to remember to keep you all posted. I feel like a fish out of school waters. I am enjoying it.
-Amanda
Monday, March 17, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
From baby to child
I saw a mother the other day googling over her new baby. She oddles him and cooed at him etc. Then before getting into the car, she picked him up and kissed him gently, tucked him slowly and chatted a bit before shutting the door. I've seen this a lot, pretty regular thing for new parents.
I began to wonder why am I rushing? How come I don't take this time much any more. With my toddler on hip and 4 year old racing ahead, I began to feel like life was rushing away. So I slowed down. I walked a bit slower on purpose. I looked into the eyes of my two year old and we chatted a bit. I held my 4 year old's hand and we stopped at a few things I wasn't interested in, but he was. We chatted, I got down to their level. It was wonderful.
I think I used up about 30min longer than usual. I remember I use to take more time when baby was young, feeling 'privileged' as a new mom to do so. When did we become these people who are too busy to show down to the tiny foot step strides of our children?
I'd like to try to keep my steps slow, let my 2 year old guide the steps and our pace. In the meantime, I try to make sure I look my babies in their eyes when I put them in the van. I give hugs and kissed before putting them in as I did when they were babies. I'm enjoying this child pace.
I began to wonder why am I rushing? How come I don't take this time much any more. With my toddler on hip and 4 year old racing ahead, I began to feel like life was rushing away. So I slowed down. I walked a bit slower on purpose. I looked into the eyes of my two year old and we chatted a bit. I held my 4 year old's hand and we stopped at a few things I wasn't interested in, but he was. We chatted, I got down to their level. It was wonderful.
I think I used up about 30min longer than usual. I remember I use to take more time when baby was young, feeling 'privileged' as a new mom to do so. When did we become these people who are too busy to show down to the tiny foot step strides of our children?
I'd like to try to keep my steps slow, let my 2 year old guide the steps and our pace. In the meantime, I try to make sure I look my babies in their eyes when I put them in the van. I give hugs and kissed before putting them in as I did when they were babies. I'm enjoying this child pace.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Project Based Homeschooling - the beginning
I've been reading and learning about Project Based Homeschooling, but more to the point, about child led and child directed learning. Even as young as 2 years old, we are able to help mentor our babies to learn how to self-manage and self-direct their own learning.
What a cool thought; a child who cares about his learning. I want to learn how to teach my children to directs their own projects and create their own ideas and pursues them for as long or as little as they likes. As a new homeschooler, this was the reason why I wanted to start this journey to begin with. I'm so excited to see how the next few years unfold and I'm excited to watch my children grow, create and learn.
I'd like to share a bit of what I've learned so far.
In Project Based Homeschooling (PBH), you hone in on what interests your child has and stay there as long as they are interested. You are in the room with materials, support, feedback, interest. Your taking notes, taking pictures, writing down their ideas, questions, arguements. Try to resist the urge to 'direct' out of fear they may not be learning all you think they need to be learning. Allow them to work through their challenges as much as possible, when they ask for help, be an asking parent. "What do you think it needs? What will happen next? What are you trying to accomplish? How can I help you? What materials do you think you'll need for that?"
Truth is they are learning tons by play acting, creating, project building and talking with others. Even children that go to traditional school will be missing information and have holes in their learning after they graduate. With a child who has been taught how to learn, create and direct their own learning, you will have a child who has the skills to fill in those holes with enthusiasm. After a child graduates the learning doesn't stop. They have the choice to continue to read, learn and create or not. I'd rather have a child who is an enthusiastic and creative learner who is missing a few facts than a child who memorized a few facts but hates to read.
The truth is we are all in charge of our own learning. As many teenagers have proven again and again, "we are not the boss of them." True, you can get them out of bed, drive them to school, throw some books and paper at them, sit them in desks, but then it's all them. They can choose to listen, engage or just fade away or 'get by' with minimum.
Project Based Homeschooling is concerned with the underlying motives, habits an attitudes of thinking and learning. The point of PBH is to devote some time in your day to help your child manage and direct his or her own learning. This doesn't have to be your entire curriculum or it does.
But it is important to allow this 'free learning time' at some point in your day.
This is part of your child's life where he is free to explore his interests and passions. He receives attention, support, and consistent, dependable mentoring from you, the parent, to help him succeed.
As I am reading all this great juicy stuff I was asking myself, um ya, great, awesome, um... HOW?
This is answered in the few books I've been reading, but in so many different ways. The how, will often depend on your family and your child. It's about becoming the people we want our children to become. Sitting quietly and taking notes and and pictures as your child is playing/creating/building. It goes beyond showing him out use a library card or bake cookies or build a mailbox.
It means being that example of learning. Not in the traditional sense of lecturing and force fed learning, but in everyday immersion in life. A life that shows challenging, meaningful work. It means you are being that life long learner. You are the mentor, the example of what's important. What do you do in a day? What do your children see you doing? Are you reading? Watching tv? Cleaning? Writing books? Painting? What are your passions? They are watching you.
Having a child watch how you handle mistakes and challenges will teach them more about how to mange your emotions than lecturing at them would. Let them see you pursue your dreams, interests, passions. Talk about your dreams, passions and your goals out loud. Let them see you continue to work towards your dreams. First step - become the mentor yourself.
That's all for today. Keep posted for more discoveries on the home front. Feel free to share ideas, questions, and your own homeschool journey. I love chatting with community.
Amanda
What a cool thought; a child who cares about his learning. I want to learn how to teach my children to directs their own projects and create their own ideas and pursues them for as long or as little as they likes. As a new homeschooler, this was the reason why I wanted to start this journey to begin with. I'm so excited to see how the next few years unfold and I'm excited to watch my children grow, create and learn.
I'd like to share a bit of what I've learned so far.
In Project Based Homeschooling (PBH), you hone in on what interests your child has and stay there as long as they are interested. You are in the room with materials, support, feedback, interest. Your taking notes, taking pictures, writing down their ideas, questions, arguements. Try to resist the urge to 'direct' out of fear they may not be learning all you think they need to be learning. Allow them to work through their challenges as much as possible, when they ask for help, be an asking parent. "What do you think it needs? What will happen next? What are you trying to accomplish? How can I help you? What materials do you think you'll need for that?"
Truth is they are learning tons by play acting, creating, project building and talking with others. Even children that go to traditional school will be missing information and have holes in their learning after they graduate. With a child who has been taught how to learn, create and direct their own learning, you will have a child who has the skills to fill in those holes with enthusiasm. After a child graduates the learning doesn't stop. They have the choice to continue to read, learn and create or not. I'd rather have a child who is an enthusiastic and creative learner who is missing a few facts than a child who memorized a few facts but hates to read.
The truth is we are all in charge of our own learning. As many teenagers have proven again and again, "we are not the boss of them." True, you can get them out of bed, drive them to school, throw some books and paper at them, sit them in desks, but then it's all them. They can choose to listen, engage or just fade away or 'get by' with minimum.
Project Based Homeschooling is concerned with the underlying motives, habits an attitudes of thinking and learning. The point of PBH is to devote some time in your day to help your child manage and direct his or her own learning. This doesn't have to be your entire curriculum or it does.
But it is important to allow this 'free learning time' at some point in your day.
This is part of your child's life where he is free to explore his interests and passions. He receives attention, support, and consistent, dependable mentoring from you, the parent, to help him succeed.
As I am reading all this great juicy stuff I was asking myself, um ya, great, awesome, um... HOW?
This is answered in the few books I've been reading, but in so many different ways. The how, will often depend on your family and your child. It's about becoming the people we want our children to become. Sitting quietly and taking notes and and pictures as your child is playing/creating/building. It goes beyond showing him out use a library card or bake cookies or build a mailbox.
It means being that example of learning. Not in the traditional sense of lecturing and force fed learning, but in everyday immersion in life. A life that shows challenging, meaningful work. It means you are being that life long learner. You are the mentor, the example of what's important. What do you do in a day? What do your children see you doing? Are you reading? Watching tv? Cleaning? Writing books? Painting? What are your passions? They are watching you.
Having a child watch how you handle mistakes and challenges will teach them more about how to mange your emotions than lecturing at them would. Let them see you pursue your dreams, interests, passions. Talk about your dreams, passions and your goals out loud. Let them see you continue to work towards your dreams. First step - become the mentor yourself.
That's all for today. Keep posted for more discoveries on the home front. Feel free to share ideas, questions, and your own homeschool journey. I love chatting with community.
Amanda
Friday, January 3, 2014
Quick Tips on hard days.
I forgot to breathe today.
1. We need to Breathe. When kids are on our laps and lapping us around kitchen tables, it's time to breathe, not yell.
2. Observe. When the kids are wrestling and tearing the books off the shelf, don't run to the bookshelf and grab each in your hands and berate them, breathe. Close your eyes, the mess will still be there when you open them. Then shut off the lights. Watch them stop and look. Sit down quietly. Look at what they may need. Ask if they'd like a hug, a walk, a wrestle. Sometimes they just want to play with you.
3. Run Away. That's right, run and fast. Feeling your pot overboil? Go into the bathroom/bedroom, lock the door and breathe. Tell the kids your putting yourself in a time out cause your getting upset and you want to calm down. You'll teach them loads about what to do when their pot is boiling.
4. Get up and get out. Unsure what they need, what you need? Feeling stir crazy. Out of ideas? Bored? Lonely? Take a walk, even in the snow and winter. Bundle up. A walk around the block will change your view, your thoughts, your mind as well as your children's.
5. Distract A Box. I've mentioned it before and it works. When your on the phone, they KNOW! They hunt you down and find you and crawl on you. They suddenly have a crisis and a meltdown. They need you more than they did the entire day, why? Your on the phone! So be prepared. Have a bin above your fridge. The BOX. Keep it updated. Recycle old toys and books and puzzles and put in new ones they have never seen before. Don't let them see it until your on the phone, then bring it down. CHRISTMAS time. They love to discover new items and toys etc. Make it easy, you don't want to set up or open anything for them, your on the phone.
Last bit of advice... call a friend. Go for tea. Make a playdate for YOURSELF and soon.
Take care guys.
Happy Parenting
Amanda
www.stickyhands.ca
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Surving the holidays with toddlers.
How can you reduce stress for you and
your little ones.
I'm not going to get into a long winded
speech about why holiday are stressful on little ones, I'm just
cutting to good stuff. What can we do about it?
1. Outings. Make only 1 or 2 stops in a
day. Do not go all day to the mall, stop off at shoppers, pick
something up from the post office and then squeeze in grabbing milk
at walmart. It isn’t' fair the little ones your dragging with you.
Plan better. Plan your week and only tackle about 2 stops before naps
and 2 stops after. MAX
2. Keep 'em busy. Create
tasks/crafts/bags that are toddler friendly. Have a basket above your
fridge filled with new books, toys and busy bags for toddlers to play
with. Stuff they haven't seen before when your busy on the phone or a
unexpected guest stops by and needs your attention.
3. The tree. Allow your toddlers to
help put up decorations. Let them decorate the half the tree they can
reach. Blocking your tree off just has your babies more curious and
find ways to get at the tree to pull it apart. Instead take the time
to 'teach' them how to be gentle and how to put the ornaments on the
tree. Make sure the stuff they can touch are baby friendly.
4. Gear shifting. Introduce simple
songs to help with transitions. A 'clean up' song or a 'goodbye' song
can be enough of a trigger to help relieve the stress of being taken
to and from places abruptly. We all like to know, 'what's next' so
make sure your telling your toddler the agenda.
5. Errands. Have a holiday schedule for
yourself and your children. Knowing what to expect in the day will
dramatically reduce stress. We have a fridge schedule, that tells us
if we are going out to a
playdate/preschool/party that day. If
we are baking cookies, doing crafts or driving to see Christmas
lights. Let them know what to expect in the day.
6. Parties. We are not the same some of
us love lots of company, some of us can only handle 2-3 people at a
time. If your attending a Christmas party, remember to read your
toddlers signals, they may be getting tired, hungry or
overstimulated. Cases of biting and hitting increase around the
holidays for some of these reasons. Keep your party short, be
prepared to go home early or have good sitters in place if you know
your toddler won't last. When something does happen, pick up the baby and give them a hug, ask them if they are tired or hungry. Guess on how they may be feeling and think about leaving for home.
7. Food. Ahhh... the cookie season.
Increased wheat and sugar during this time of year can spike your
children's sugar levels and disallow logical thinking skills. Try to
hold off on giving too many treats in the day. Or buy special treats
like raspberries and mango (expensive this time of year, but worth
it) Cut their sugars with water/fresh veggies/protein. Keep out water
all day long on the counter in their sippies. Get rid of juice for
the month. Take your treats you get from friends and family and
regift or put them away, so you have control on when they get them.
Don't give any sugar treats an hour before bed. Best time of day is
mid day when you are out and about.
8. Breathe. Start with yoga in the
morning. A great utube video you can look up is called, "Cosmic
Kids" It's fun yoga for kids. Talk to them and let them try it
out with you. Funny to watch toddlers do this. It teaches them you
value meditation, relaxation, breathing. It shows them how to take
care of yourself first, so you can tackle the day.
9. Santa. If you know your little one
may be shy or nervous with the big guy. Opt to NOT have them sit on
Santa's lap, but allow them to see and talk with him from afar. The
lines can be stressful and nerve racking as well for kids, making the
hype increase as they wait. Highstreet in Abbotsford texts you when
it's your turn and you get a private meet with Santa. No lines, and
no loud distractions or crying when you visit.
10. Presents. Keep it simple. Toddlers
don't need a lot of extra 'things' to play with. Keep it down to 2
toys, some clothes and ask grandparents to give the gift of money for
soccer/swimming/signing/gym time etc. Keep sugar out of the
stockings. Add a few toys and some slippers, an orange and raisin
boxes.
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Abraham Lincoln said,"We are as happy as we decide to be."
How can I do it? My entire goal in life is to be happy. I chose this, I know this I want this.
Now, how can I get through my entire day and stay happy?
How can I NOT allow the kids/dog/neighbour/bus driver etc to affect my mood?
I am the deciding factor of my mood, my day. In fact with my actions and behaviour I know I can actually affect others around me and change any of their bad influences and moods.
So who is stronger me or them?
I wake up everyday and I EXPECT to have a great day. So when the babies start whining, fighting, destroying the house etc. How can I nip this in the but? When the hubby comes home moody, or the neighbour once again barks about something I have no control over, how can I brush it all off? How can I let that stupid driver who just cut me off get away with it? Do we have the skills to move forward, think positive and carry on?
TIP NUMBER 1:
1. We must remember we cannot change others and how they act. We can only change our reaction to them.
2. We can choose to ignore their negativity. If my 4 year old is in a mood, I could just turn the music up and start dancing, couldn't I? I could give him a hug and say, "wow, sounds like your having a hard day. I hope it gets better, know that I love you." I could start singing badly and out of tune, I could act silly. I could carry on with my day and ignore it.
3. I could reply with a smile. Show them they have NO power over you. Don't allow your neighbour, your bus driver, store clerk, your tiny children to have more power than you by letting them affect your mood. YOU have the power to SMILE and be polite and walk away if you can.
4. If it is someone close to you, be honest and tell them that their attitude is unacceptable and you want none of it in your life. I have told my grandmother, mother, father and other important people in my life that their negative behaviour or complaining was not helpful and I wasn't in a good place to hear it right now. I asked them to stop and changed the subject. I use to fight with my ex a lot AFTER we broke up. He would call and try to fight with me. I finally got smart and said if your angry, call me back when you feel better and I dont' mind talking then. I would warn him if he didn't stop attacking, I would hang up. And then I DID! He got so use to me, that when I would warn him, he would quickly say sorry and move on to the subject at hand. It took months to teach him.
5. And most important of all - never reciprocate negativity. Rise above it and kill them with kindness. My mother always said this, "Kill them with kindness." She said, "You can catch more bees with honey my dear." And she was right. In the checkout line if I see a grumpy cashier. I get ready with my armour, I put on my smiles and I say, "Good morning, what's the good news?" It throws them off at first, they usually say nothing, but it's funny because more often than not, they think it over and begin 'searching' their database for 'good news' and they FIND it! I have a few examples of this actually. One time, this really grumpy person said, "NOTHING. There's nothing good going on with me." I said, "Oh I'm sure you can find something good. I just got a chq in the mail I wasn't expecting, that was cool." Then they think on it, and this guy said, "Well actually I'm learning French right now and I like it." We began talking about Montreal and french and traveling and by the time I left with my Subway sandwhich in hand, he was actually smiling.
Remember YOU have the power over your day. If others are 'getting' to you...
TRY
-changing subjects
-asking about good news
-changing scenery... when my boys are grumpy, we take a nap or better, we go for a walk - works everytime
-introduce new ideas/books/videos
-watch a funny comedy
-read a funny book
-DON'T watch the news or read newspapers
-go for a drive
-get some ice cream
-start to dream - clip out pictures or search Pinterest or internet for pictures of what you want and print them out! Pin them up, stare at them and dream, smile while you do it
-call a friend you know is ALWAYS happy and in a good mood
You can shape your day. You are the attitude that will shape the storms in your life.
Happy Living!
www.stickyhands.ca
Now, how can I get through my entire day and stay happy?
How can I NOT allow the kids/dog/neighbour/bus driver etc to affect my mood?
I am the deciding factor of my mood, my day. In fact with my actions and behaviour I know I can actually affect others around me and change any of their bad influences and moods.
So who is stronger me or them?
I wake up everyday and I EXPECT to have a great day. So when the babies start whining, fighting, destroying the house etc. How can I nip this in the but? When the hubby comes home moody, or the neighbour once again barks about something I have no control over, how can I brush it all off? How can I let that stupid driver who just cut me off get away with it? Do we have the skills to move forward, think positive and carry on?
TIP NUMBER 1:
1. We must remember we cannot change others and how they act. We can only change our reaction to them.
2. We can choose to ignore their negativity. If my 4 year old is in a mood, I could just turn the music up and start dancing, couldn't I? I could give him a hug and say, "wow, sounds like your having a hard day. I hope it gets better, know that I love you." I could start singing badly and out of tune, I could act silly. I could carry on with my day and ignore it.
3. I could reply with a smile. Show them they have NO power over you. Don't allow your neighbour, your bus driver, store clerk, your tiny children to have more power than you by letting them affect your mood. YOU have the power to SMILE and be polite and walk away if you can.
4. If it is someone close to you, be honest and tell them that their attitude is unacceptable and you want none of it in your life. I have told my grandmother, mother, father and other important people in my life that their negative behaviour or complaining was not helpful and I wasn't in a good place to hear it right now. I asked them to stop and changed the subject. I use to fight with my ex a lot AFTER we broke up. He would call and try to fight with me. I finally got smart and said if your angry, call me back when you feel better and I dont' mind talking then. I would warn him if he didn't stop attacking, I would hang up. And then I DID! He got so use to me, that when I would warn him, he would quickly say sorry and move on to the subject at hand. It took months to teach him.
5. And most important of all - never reciprocate negativity. Rise above it and kill them with kindness. My mother always said this, "Kill them with kindness." She said, "You can catch more bees with honey my dear." And she was right. In the checkout line if I see a grumpy cashier. I get ready with my armour, I put on my smiles and I say, "Good morning, what's the good news?" It throws them off at first, they usually say nothing, but it's funny because more often than not, they think it over and begin 'searching' their database for 'good news' and they FIND it! I have a few examples of this actually. One time, this really grumpy person said, "NOTHING. There's nothing good going on with me." I said, "Oh I'm sure you can find something good. I just got a chq in the mail I wasn't expecting, that was cool." Then they think on it, and this guy said, "Well actually I'm learning French right now and I like it." We began talking about Montreal and french and traveling and by the time I left with my Subway sandwhich in hand, he was actually smiling.
Remember YOU have the power over your day. If others are 'getting' to you...
TRY
-changing subjects
-asking about good news
-changing scenery... when my boys are grumpy, we take a nap or better, we go for a walk - works everytime
-introduce new ideas/books/videos
-watch a funny comedy
-read a funny book
-DON'T watch the news or read newspapers
-go for a drive
-get some ice cream
-start to dream - clip out pictures or search Pinterest or internet for pictures of what you want and print them out! Pin them up, stare at them and dream, smile while you do it
-call a friend you know is ALWAYS happy and in a good mood
You can shape your day. You are the attitude that will shape the storms in your life.
Happy Living!
www.stickyhands.ca
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Unschooling means school is everyday.
Every wonder what to do with an old McDonald's container? Try making a fairy house.
Geran and Nash love the Tinkerbell movies and so today Geran wanted to make a fairy house.
We took an old McDonald's container and taped up the bottom to make it strong.
With some hot glue and many sticks/nuts etc we glued them onto the house. We used leaves for the roof and made sure it could still open and close.
There was already a door and window in place to pop out of the box, so easy peezy.
Geran made a bed out of an old jewelery box, felt and cotton pillows. Too fun!
Here is my Sunday:
It can open and close.
The inside. We are currently using Popsicle sticks to make table and chair. We are going to add onto the walls etc... we may make the box bigger one day by taking off a wall and taping it to another McD box. We'll see.
His MnM treasures for Tinkerbell he said.
Love that the container already had a door and window to punch out. We just glued on some sticks and nuts.
A bowl for Tinkers treats.
We put it under the hedge so the weather wouldn't destroy it as quickly. Geran added a 'rain-barrel' and a lamp which is hung up and you can't see it in this picture. He made the path as well.
At 4 years old he's been doing this for 1.5 hours. Can't believe he held his attention for that long.
www.stickyhands.ca
Geran and Nash love the Tinkerbell movies and so today Geran wanted to make a fairy house.
We took an old McDonald's container and taped up the bottom to make it strong.
With some hot glue and many sticks/nuts etc we glued them onto the house. We used leaves for the roof and made sure it could still open and close.
There was already a door and window in place to pop out of the box, so easy peezy.
Geran made a bed out of an old jewelery box, felt and cotton pillows. Too fun!
Here is my Sunday:
We put it under the hedge so the weather wouldn't destroy it as quickly. Geran added a 'rain-barrel' and a lamp which is hung up and you can't see it in this picture. He made the path as well.
At 4 years old he's been doing this for 1.5 hours. Can't believe he held his attention for that long.
www.stickyhands.ca
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