New Yard of Sand: Introduction

This life time has been spent in the blessed company of young children. It has crossed my mind that I must not have been able to have much wanted children in my last life, so am making up for it this time around. I've been at it for nearly five decades so have a few things to say.

I raised six children of my own and half their friends, retired from my positions as special education preschool teacher and infant development specialist, and now have a busy family day care home. The last semester of college, while earning my three teaching credentials and early childhood specialist certificate, I was required to participate in the child development laboratory for four year olds. I put it off until my last semester because I kept hoping I could simply challenge the class. I went to see Dr. Barbara Mahler, the department head, and told her why I shouldn't have to take the class. She asked, "how long have you worked with four year olds?" I thought of all the children I had worked with over the years. I was presently employed as a co-director of a local infant program and I also worked as a classroom assistant in the open structure elementary school. Hmmmmm, well, no, I haven't worked with four year olds. So I not only spent two semesters in the lab but I loved it. Not only that, but for the next thirty years I worked specifically with infants and with four year olds. Goes to show, you never know what the future holds.

Some, if not most, of the postings here will be running observations of my mornings with the children, which will give an idea of what the life of a family child care provider is like. At times, advice about raising resilient children will emerge and I hope this will find fertile ground and be helpful.

One thing I need to state up front: I am a strong advocate for young children being allowed to play and not be subjected to "lessons" about the alphabet, numbers, etc. before they start kindergarten. My walls are covered with children's art but you will never see the letters of the alphabet posted for them to "learn." These skills are embedded in our daily activites and every child in my care is more than ready for kindergarten when that time arrives. The best book written to put parents' minds at ease on this topic is: "What to Say When the Wolves Come Knocking," by Lisa Murphy, also known as The Ooey Gooey Lady.

http://www.ooeygooey.com/

If you ever have the opportunity to participate in one of her workshops, you will love it.

Another mentor over the years for me has been Bev Bos, founder of Roseville Community School and author of "Don't Move the Muffin Tins" and "Together We're Better," and other wonderful books of activities and stories about her school. See this short video for her thoughts on early reading experiences for young children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzijMViZUfY

That's it for today. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.