Making the most of open windows of developmental opportunity
It’s been a theory of mine for a long time that children run on rechargeable Love Batteries. When their Love Batteries are on Full Charge, it’s happy time! But you know their power supply is slowly dropping when the fussing starts, the whining, the griping, the endless questions, demanding your undivided attention. And you can tell when their Love Batteries are running dangerously low: they scream, throw a tantrum, or otherwise put on display that they are NOT HAPPY. I’ll […] Read more ...
How many days of lockdown-style “home schooling” does it take for you to run out of fun ideas to keep the kids busy and happy? To get your creative juices flowing, here is my list of fifty fun and creative things to do on a rainy day: IN THE KITCHEN: 1–bake something tasty 2–have an indoor picnic or tea party with the tasty thing you baked 3–snack time art: on a paper plate, use chunks of fruits or veggies, and […] Read more ...
When my firstborn was still a little guy, he earned the nickname “Jazz Baby” because he, like most kids, responded to music with bouncing to the beat, grinning ear to ear, and singing along. When he and our other sons were buckled into high chairs or car seats, they would kick their feet to the beat – so cute! All children seem to have an inborn love of music that, when it’s nurtured and encouraged, can become a lifelong source […] Read more ...
Gillian Lynne is a British dancer and choreographer with a long and impressive list of theatrical credits, including being the lead choreographer of the hugely successful musical “Cats”, and also of “Phantom of the Opera”, the longest running musical in Broadway history. When Gillian was in the second grade, however, her mother was concerned by her underperformance at school and took her to a doctor for evaluation. The wise doctor realized that Gillian’s fidgeting and inability to concentrate was due, […] Read more ...
Twenty-seven years ago, I became a mother. I’ve loved it all – the fluttering baby kicks of pregnancy, the unique stories from each labor & delivery, the nursing, cuddling, toddling, schooling, exploring, achieving … I’m endlessly fascinated with the unfolding of each of my four sons’ lives. Two months ago, my youngest turned eighteen years old, and just this week he graduated from high school; the calendar marches on, and my hands-on mothering days are over. Now that my […] Read more ...