Now Child

Junk Sculpture

2012-01-24T18:31:00.000-08:00

I have always loved the idea of recycled art. It works on so many levels: it's cheap, it's good for the environment, and it's easy because you probably already have all the supplies you need right in your trash can.

When I saw this beautiful giraffe junk sculpture on Nurture Store, I was in awe. It's so regal, yet whimsical at the same time. It's hard to believe it was designed by a now 9-year-old. I am not sure how old she was when she designed it, but it's fabulous.

More Playground Design to Blow Minds

2012-01-17T19:39:00.000-08:00

About a month ago, I posted about my love affair with Playscapes, a beautiful and inspiring blog dedicated to playground design. Since then, I've stumbled upon two more fine blogs in the same vein: The Architecture of Early Childhood and Playgroundology. I am blown away by the diversity and aesthetics of playgrounds around the world. I want to try them all out. Don't they look like fun?

Images, top to bottom:

Kindergarten playground in Israel and ecological children's activity and education center in Thailand via The Architecture of Early Childhood.

Copenhagen Playground – Brumleby and Chilean Miners' Playground via PlayGroundology.

What Are You Reading Today?

2012-01-16T08:20:00.001-08:00

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport (illustrated by Bryan Collier) is a good choice for today.

Image via BookDads.

Wood Burned Doll Blocks

2012-01-10T19:08:00.000-08:00

How brilliant is this idea for wood burned doll blocks from Made by Joel? He allowed his children to trace drawings of dolls onto wooden blocks, then carefully went over the designs with a wood burner. It's so simple, yet I never would have thought of this!

Also, how cute is the miniature DWR-esque outdoor chair?

Teacher Tom on Why Kids Hate School

2012-01-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

I love Teacher Tom. But, what sane person in education doesn't love this guy? So often, he hits the nail right on the head. I just read this thought-provoking post about why teenagers hate school on his blog. Bravo, Teacher Tom! You did it again. This must-read post ends with this brilliant quote, which sums it all up:

"Children don't like school because they love freedom. We are biologically driven to learn, but we are not biologically driven to learn on command. We are not biologically driven to stuff our brains with things about which we have no curiosity. Yet that's what school is for many children: going to a place in which they have few if any choices, where everything is done according to rules and schedules in which they have no say, and then being judged by a system of grades and tests that have no connection to the rest of their lives."

Image via another one of my favorite Teacher Tom posts, "Get Off!"

Just Something Beautiful

2012-01-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post something light and airy to break up my recent ranty, philosophical posts. Enjoy!

Image of Waldorf classroom via Bella Luna Toys.

Liberal Education Vs. Vocational Education

2012-01-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

Recently I asked myself, "What is liberal education, really?" I've heard the term many times, and I've always had a pretty good grasp of its meaning, but I wanted to find out the exact etymology behind this term. Dictionary.com defines liberal education as, "an education based primarily on the liberal arts, emphasizing the development of intellectual abilities as opposed to the acquisition of professional skills." So, what are the liberal arts, exactly? Wikipedia states, "liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free person to study."

The phrase that pops out at me is "essential for a free person to study". Even the word liberal comes from the Latin liber, meaning "free". Does this mean a vocationally-based education is not driven on educating people towards the ultimate goal of freedom? It's a touchy subject, especially considering the current economic trends and ensuing natural inclination toward job-oriented training. When it comes down to it, learning to think with a certain freedom of mind is important. But, eating is more important. If forced with a choice between vocational training or a liberal education, many college students may choose the former in order to secure more immediate employment.

But, what about younger children? Should vocational training be pushed in high schools? Elementary schools? At what age should we turn the focus from ensuring free, educated citizens to merely churning out worker bees (if ever)?

I don't really have answers, but it's something that has been weighing on my mind recently. Personally, I think there needs to be some balance. Liberal arts can't go completely out the window, but neither can practical skills. As always, I'll just lay the blame on the limitations and hidden agendas of compulsory education and call it a day. My best answer is: everyone run through the fields all day, teach each other what you know, and figure out how to survive. It seems to be what happens anyway, regardless of our attempts to formally educate people.

Image of the seven liberal arts (grammar, rhetoric, logic, mathematics, geometry, music, and astronomy) via Wikipedia.

Big Plans for 2012

2012-01-03T06:05:00.000-08:00

I don't really make New Year's resolutions. And this year, I'm pretty happy with where I'm at anyways. But, there's always room for growth. And, that is why I have big plans for 2012. Not resolutions. Just growth. To me, resolutions imply a needed change. The definition of resolution is "The act or process of resolving". The implication is, there's a problem that needs to be resolved. But, I don't have anything that needs resolving. I love my career. I feel like I'm truly living my life's purpose. I live a healthy lifestyle already: I eat well, I exercise, I sleep enough, I have a supportive group of family and friends, and I do all the activities that make me most happy in life. I love where I live, I love my car, I love my clothes.

Yet still, there is one thing: graduate school. I have debated over starting graduate school for a couple years now. I think the time has come. I have knocked and the door has opened. 2012 will be the year I start a master's in early childhood education.

Image via here.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

Did you get to sleep in this morning? I certainly did. Right now, I'm still in bed watching the Rose Parade. When I was a kid, I always dreamed of some day camping out on Colorado Boulevard overnight to see the Rose Parade on New Year's Day. Maybe in 2013 I'll make it.

Photo: A young boy slumbers amid building activity on Colorado Boulevard before the start of Monday's Rose Parade. Credit: Arkasha Stevenson/Los Angeles Times via L.A. Now.

P.S. A beautiful, melancholy song about the Rose Parade.

Also - do you know why the Rose Parade had to be held January 2 this year? It has to do with horses. Somehow, my mom already knew the answer. Moms know everything.

Tootsie Roll Pop Art

2011-12-31T19:02:00.000-08:00

While eating a Tootsie Roll Pop, I found myself examining the nostalgic art on the wrapper. So, what did I do? I Googled "Tootsie Roll Pop wrapper art". And, what did I find? This amazing piece by Dan Duff. It is so playful and I immediately envisioned it being used in a classroom.

Question: Do you think it would be inappropriate to use pop art as classroom decor? Would the ages of the children make a difference? Personally, I say do it. I have seen teachers expose preschoolers to the art of Andy Warhol. Pop art is still art, even if there is an element of branding. Brand labels are frequently used in early childhood dramatic play centers. Sometimes, the whole center focuses around a particular company, like Starbucks or McDonald's. What would make this any different? Additionally, wouldn't it be fabulous if you had the children construct their own version of this piece, then hang the finished collaborative artwork in the classroom?

Image via Dan Duff's Flickr.

Beautiful Writing Center

2011-12-29T14:37:00.000-08:00

This writing center would add a sense of structure and beauty to a classroom. I love the form-meets-function aesthetic. What can I say? This does it for me. It is undoubtedly the best writing center I've ever seen.

Image via Ohdeedoh.

Organic Classroom Management

2011-12-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

Throughout my years in education, my love of the Montessori method has grown. What started as curiosity soon turned to enchantment. Then, the enchantment turned to stolid commitment. I have learned enough about this approach to education that I can honestly say I think it's the best option currently available, as far as organized education goes. The biggest reason I'm so fond of the Montessori method is the concept of the prepared environment.

For those not familiar with prepared environments, this post from the NAMC Montessori Teacher Training blog is very informative. According to this post, there are six principles of the prepared environment: freedom, structure and order, beauty, nature and reality, social environment, and intellectual environment. The subject that has been on my mind most recently is the prepared environment's role as built-in classroom management. This is clearly covered through the principle of structure and order.

The post describes structure and order as follows:

Structure and Order in the Montessori classroom accurately reflect the sense of structure and order in the universe. By using the Montessori classroom environment as a microcosm of the universe, the child begins to internalize the order surrounding him, thus making sense of the world in which he lives.

Montessori stated that there is a sensitive period for order which occurs between the ages of one and three years of age. This is when the child begins to draw conclusions of the world around him. If there is not order to his environment, the child’s sense of reason may be off since he will not be able to validate his findings.

This is not to say that routines or classroom set-up or ways of doing things can't change. However, it does mean that change should be carefully considered. Is this change for the good of the children? If so, it should be done carefully and its after-effects should be observed to ensure that it is of benefit to the children.

There are so many reasons why structure and order are important elements in the prepared environment. The most important is the teacher's sanity. But, seriously, what I love most about this whole concept is that it still allows children to have freedom in their classroom. I describe structure and order in the prepared environment as organic classroom management This is not a controlled, totalitarian approach to classroom management. There is no coercion or manipulation from the teacher. There are no games. The things in the classroom are just the way they are and the children accept those boundaries in their realities. And, they accept things the way they are because they make sense (as mentioned in the above quote, the classroom environment acts as a microcosm of the universe.) Natural order in children's behavior is achieved through natural order in their environment. So simple, yet so profound!

Image via Sea Pines Montessori Academy.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:10:00.001-08:00

Each year, I get nostalgic when I see this Christmas ornament on my mom's tree. It's Wynken, Blynken, and Nod sailing off in a wooden shoe. I can still remember my mom reading the story to me when I was very young. This ornament is from 1986. It's strange to think about how I've admired the same ornament for the past 15 Christmases. It still fills my spirit with a little magic. It is, without a doubt, my favorite ornament.

And, it is inspired by this truly beautiful poem by Eugene Field:

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe-
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea-
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish-
Never afeard are we";
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam-
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
'T was all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 't was a dream they 'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea-
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Image via here.

Come Play With Me!

2011-12-15T06:17:00.000-08:00

Best. Playgrounds. Ever. And much more awesomeness where these came from at Playscapes, my new favorite blog.

Christmas Trees, Help Please

2011-12-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

I just realized I'm working the winter break childcare at my school - as a teacher! Yikes! I'm crawling out from behind my desk and braving the boogers. I have been working in administration for over three years now. I know I'll jump right back into the classroom groove, but I should probably have something planned for the children to do, right?

I love these Christmas tree craft ideas from NurtureStore. My favorite is the doily tree.

Okay, all systems go. We're doing the doily next week.

More tree craft ideas here.

Let the Children Play

2011-12-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

Yes! Yes! Yes!!!

A little too enthusiastic? It's impossible to contain my passionate love affair with this quote:

“As the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget once said, 'Play is the answer to how anything new comes about.' A playful mind thrives on ambiguity, complexity, and improvisation—the very things needed to innovate and come up with creative solutions to the massive global challenges in economics, the environment, education, and more.”

I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't.

Quote and image via a wonderful piece by Laura Seargeant Richardson on Design Mind. Thanks to Urban Preschool for sharing.

Comfy, Cozy Playground

2011-12-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

Love, love, love. That's all I can say. This is exploding on the early childhood ed. blogosphere recently. I had to share. I mean, who could resist a crochet playground?

Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam is responsible for these creations at the Hakone sculpture park in Sapporo Japan. Looks like comfortable fun.

Via Bakers and Astronauts and Playscapes.

My Ideal School

2011-11-28T06:05:00.000-08:00

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything."
-Cicero

Images via here and here.

Givin' Thanks!

2011-11-24T08:34:00.000-08:00

I love this quote because it reminds me of something a student at my school said. About two weeks ago, the children in this little boy's class did a project in which they were asked, "What are you thankful for?" Most children said their mom, dad, family, or everything. The parent volunteer who was conducting the project wrote down the children's answers on little turkeys they made. On this one boy's turkey, it said "I am thankful for my family". But, when his mom came to get him and read what he was thankful for, he was upset. He said, "It says I'm thankful for my family, but I'm really thankful for my life."

For the last two weeks, the art project remained displayed on a board just beside my desk. And, every single day, this boy would say, "It says I'm thankful for my family, but I'm really thankful for my life." He was so adamant about making the correction, so certain of what it should say, so affirmed in what he is truly thankful for. I admired his persistence and thought, "Wow. This 3-year-old kid knows what he wants." His mom and I laughed about it, but it truly did inspire me on some level. I can't really explain it. Maybe it was just his enthusiasm. Maybe it was the fact that he's so young to be saying, "I'm thankful for my life." I mean, where did he get that? It's so existential. Once again, proof that children are amazing. And, yet another thing to be thankful for.

Via Choose Happiness (my new favorite Facebook page!)

I'm Thankful for Abundance

2011-11-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

I was so happy to load up my car with food and drive to the Salvation Army before work this morning. It was a great start to my day. It definitely feels better to give than to receive! When I dropped off the food, I just felt like I was beaming inside. Great feeling!

P.S. Not all the food was donated by me. It was from a food drive we had at my school. I donated five cans, but mostly I was just the delivery person.

I'm Thankful for Print-Rich Art

2011-11-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

I am impressed by this creative, multidimensional piece, directed by one of the primary assistants at my school. I love the fact that she had the children label each food item. She also encouraged them to place only things they would actually eat on the plate (for instance, the vegetarians went sans ham and turkey.) I'm going to suggest to the teacher to add Tofurky to the mix for next year.

A Thought for Your Monday

2011-11-21T08:06:00.001-08:00

Via here.

Now Child Stairs

2011-11-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

When I first started this blog, this is exactly the thought I had in mind. The message on the stairs translates to:

"Childhood finds paradise in the moment. It does not demand happiness. It is happiness."

Thank you so much to Leigh at Marvelous Kiddo for sharing. The phrase rings true to my soul. It is the definition of the Now Child.

Love is Something

2011-11-18T06:05:00.000-08:00

I used to sing this song (which I nicknamed "The Magic Penny") during closing circle time with my students. It's a great alternative to the played-out "Skinna-Marinky-Dink".

I hope your weekend is full of love.

P.S. I think Malvina Reynolds sounds like Joanna Newsom (or, vice versa).

Also - Real Love.

The Power of Words

2011-11-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

So often, I hear teachers make statements like, "This child is just stubborn" or "He's still so immature". But, what happens to our words after they leave our mouths?

I remember a speech therapist I used to work with told me about the water crystal experiments of Masaru Emoto. One of his most famous experiments involved typing words and phrases onto pieces of paper then attaching the paper to water-filled glass bottles. Emoto would then allow the water to freeze and look at the resulting crystals with a microscope. Here is what he found:

When "Thank you" was written on the bottle:

When "Love and appreciation" was written on the bottle:

When "You make me sick, I will kill you" was written on the bottle:

It makes me wonder how much power our words have over children. As educators, are we helping to shape beautiful, unique, intricate patterns? Or, do our words help shape ugly, chaotic messes?

Shell Frame Project

2011-11-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

Inspiration is all around. Like, at Pier 1 Imports. I was perusing this fun store the other night when I saw this White Rose Shell Frame and - bam! - inspiration hit. I thought to myself, "This would make a fantastic holiday gift project!" When I was still teaching, I always struggled to come up with something unique to have the children make as gifts for their parents. This would be simply beautiful. And, since I live close to the beach, it would require some fun shell-hunting outings (with or without students - but if you could bring your class along, what a fun field trip that would make!) Older students might want to make patterns out of the shells, while younger students could just go at it hodge-podge style.

Pumpkin Diorama

2011-11-14T06:51:00.001-08:00

This forest scene inside a pumpkin is simply magical. Thanks to Playful Learning for sharing the idea. Now, I am imagining all sorts of dioramas that could be constructed in items other than cardboard boxes. The possibilities are endless!

What We Should Tell Children

2011-11-12T11:24:00.000-08:00

"You are all geniuses, and you are all beautiful. You don't need anyone to tell you who you are. You are what you are. Get out there and get peace, think peace, live peace, and breathe peace, and you'll get it as soon as you like."
-John Lennon

Image via Last.fm.

Little Box of Peace

2011-11-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

This Little Box of Peace from For Small Hands would work well in a classroom with children 5 years old and up. But, I was also thinking it could make a great token gift for the holidays for a friend of any age. The box contains 72 poetry word magnets, with peaceful words like harmony and serenity printed on them. Isn't it a lovely idea? I felt I needed to share this positive, peaceful item on this Veterans Day. Although I believe in making peace not war, I am so thankful to all the veterans who have fought to maintain our freedoms. In this complicated world, some things are worth fighting for.

The Game of (S)c(h)ool

2011-11-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

I just read My Parents Were Home Schooling Anarchists, a thoughtful essay by Amanda MacPhail in The New York Times. An essay like this is rare, as it espouses the complexities of home schooling. It doesn't candycoat nor demononize the subject.

The article starts out dreamy and optimistic. "I am not teaching the children," wrote MacPhail's mother of her home school teaching days. "I am permitting them to learn."

Midway through, the essay takes on a decidedly different tone. As the home schooled children enter a traditional school, the bohemian la-la land they were living in comes crashing down in the face of a harsh, clique-ruled reality. For anyone who has ever entered traditional school after having been home schooled (me!), this is when you see the shortcomings of home schooling.

I'm not saying home schooling is right or wrong. I'm not saying it's any better for a human being's development to endure conforming to the set standard, or if it's better to be an "outcast" (at least, in the school setting). I guess what I'm saying is, the issue of home schooling is complex, like any educational philosophy. No philosophy is perfect. They all have their flaws. The things home schooling can't teach you are how to defend yourself against teasing and which jeans you need to wear to be cool. The thing public school can't teach you is how to see the teasing and cool jeans from an outside perspective - to see yourself as an individual, placed in a machine of conformity.

The question is - does the individual survive sixth grade? Much to the chagrin of George Orwell (from his grave), this essay says no. From my own experience of entering public school after having been home schooled, I can confirm this answer. In sixth grade, having the cool jeans is far more important to your survival than being an individual. Yet, secretly, I knew having the cool jeans was all a game. That is the difference between the unschooled and schooled minds. The unschooled mind sees past the smoke and mirrors.

Image via here.

New Email

2011-11-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

I have a new, more reliable email address to share: now.child@yahoo.com. Feel free to email me with comments, questions, ideas, or just to say hi! I love communication of all sorts!

-Jessica

Art by Daniel Johnston, via Smashing Studios.

Classroom Art Comparison

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

What an inspirational thought. Wouldn't a wall decal like this be great in a classroom? I like it a lot better than the typical cardboard posters, like this one:
They both have the same basic message, but which one would you rather look at every day?

Early Childhood Education Vs. Preschool

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Because I'm an ubergeek, as mentioned afore, I have been doing some (very) informal research on linguistics (especially semantics versus phonaesthetics). I won't go off on some sort of an academic rant, but I will bring up the white elephant in the preschool classroom: the term early childhood education.

What defines early childhood education and what makes it different than preschool? And, why does early childhood education just sound so much more respectable than the word preschool?

The answer is a combination of semantics and phonaesthetics, or word meaning and word sound.. Think of it: the "pre" in preschool leads to the translation "before school". This implies that it is not really school at all. On the other hand, early childhood education is clearly school - more than school, even. Education reaches far beyond the confines of school (a mere building or, at best, an institution). It stands proud with three words, eight syllables, and no prefix necessary. It respects its students, refraining from labeling them as children, kids, or preschoolers. No, they are people, experiencing the same life we adults are experiencing (just at a different stage - the stage of early childhood).

The difference between early childhood education and preschool is all in word choice, which creates two entirely different perceptions. Are you an early childhood educator or a preschool teacher?

Image via here.

Have an Optimistic Weekend

2011-11-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

"Optimist: Person who travels on nothing from nowhere to happiness."
-Mark Twain

I love this quote and I love this photo. They both make me smile inside. Life is lovely! Have a beautiful weekend.

Image via here.

Gump Love

2011-11-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

This time of year, I always revisit my love of Oz. I used to read the L. Frank Baum books voraciously, and I adore all Oz movies. I recently watched Return to Oz on YouTube (technology is crazy - talk about instant gratification). It is a great movie, and is especially more true, visually, to the book illustrations than any other Oz film.

When I stumbled upon this piece of art depicting the Gump (a character from the Return to Oz movie and The Marvelous Land of Oz book), I started to imagine where I might display it in my house. I especially like the clever title, "If I Had a Stomach" ...

Happy Halloween!!!

2011-10-31T06:40:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else remember getting Happy Meals in these buckets around Halloween time? I'm giggling with nostalgia right now...

You can buy them on Etsy.

Wilderness Park

2011-10-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

My school had a harvest festival last week at Wilderness Park. I hadn't been to this park in years, but being there certainly brought back a flood of memories. My mom used to take me and my brother to this park and let us fish for crawdads in the pond. I also remember going to an overnight campout birthday party there (which was one of the best birthday parties I've ever attended), wherein we made up a secret society with our own nomenclature. I can vividly remember galloping around a campfire with a group of other 10-year-old girls, all of us chanting "Hishe! Hishe! Hishe!" I came up with this word and somehow convinced the rest of the group it wouldn't be crazy if we all started chanting it around a campfire, Lord of the Flies style. It was a nonsense word, but it seemed to carry some important meaning to us in the spring evening's dusky light. The right combination of middle childhood, nature, and too much Dr. Pepper certainly brought out our primitive side. Oh, to be young!

My Five Favorite Children's Books about Conquering Fear

2011-10-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

To add to my last post about helping children conquer fear in early childhood, here are my favorite children's books on the subject (also, a much more inclusive list here).

1. There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer.
Try the book-on-tape version as well. This book is a hilarious take on the old "there's something in my closet" fear.

2. Where's My Teddy? by Jez Alborough.
This book was new to me when I started teaching preschool, but now I consider it a classic.

3. Grimm's Fairy Tales (especially Hansel and Gretel).
I once took a children's literature class and the teacher applied Freudian theory to everything we read. He claimed that a child's greatest fear is that his parents will die and he'll be left alone in this scary world. Furthermore, the teacher thought that the mother and father were demonized in the child's mind, due to the Electra conflict and Oedipus complex, for girls and boys, respectively. In other words, the witch in Hansel and Gretel might be the psychological manifestation of a little girl's unconscious fear that her mother may kill her father and take him away from her. Deep, huh?

4. Mr. Rogers Books.
On a more practical note, Mr. Rogers wrote a series of self-help books for children, ranging in topic from going to the dentist, to starting daycare. It sounds silly, but like Mr. Roger's television show, the books speak in a straightforward manner to young children, empowering them without underestimating their intelligence.

5. The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams.
This book has an enormous build-up to a laugh-out-loud ending.

Images via here, here, here, here, and here.

Monday Morning Quotes: Fear

2011-10-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

"Fear: False Evidence Appearing Real."
Unknown source

"Fear is only as deep as the mind allows."
Japanese proverb

"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown."
H.P. Lovecraft

It is the time of year when we see witches, goblins, scary pumpkins, and other imaginary things that could induce real fear in children. I was pondering the concept of fear and its purpose in life last night. Most of the time, fear is an unnecessary feeling (unless you're about to get run over by a car, attacked by a bear, or something like that).

Yet, we all (myself included) fear things for no good reason at all. The only way to overcome such fear is through a logical thought process. Like the Japanese proverb above states: "Fear is only as deep as the mind allows". When it comes to helping young children understand their fears, it helps to do the traditional "it's only pretend" spiel to some extent, but because children in early childhood can't always differentiate between reality and fantasy, truly overcoming irrational fears in early childhood can be hard. A child can say to himself, "It's not real", but if he doesn't believe that thought, he's still going to be scared.

Instead of trying to help children completely overcome fear in early childhood, it's better just to help them cope. The best way I've found is to get their minds focused on something safe, familiar, comforting, not scary, and very real to them. This is why it's okay, developmentally, for children to cling to security items, like blankets or special toys, within the first five years. Once you know a child can understand reality versus fantasy, that is when those security objects can start being taken away (however, I've heard that it's quite okay for people to have security objects into adulthood, as long as it's not disrupting your daily life).

Another great way to discuss fear with young children is through books. But, I'll save that for my next post...

Iimage via New York Dad's Blog.

Unschooling on the Today Show

2011-10-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

"I get to learn whatever I want, whenever I want."

Or, so says an unschooler featured in this video.

It is disturbing to me that anyone should find a problem with learning - that phenomenon where an individual is intrinsically curious and self-motivated to find their own answers to questions and problems, old and new. Yet, on the Today show, this "unschooling" (hate that term) family is seen defending their right to learn, free from the arbitrary "standards" set by officials.

I have to admit, I am biased. I was unschooled.

I can still remember being made to feel "dumb" by my public school counterparts during a dance rehearsal for a performing company I was in. It must have been in October because they were all talking about how they were learning about Christopher Columbus and what year he sailed to America. I didn't know this information because I had been busy writing the script for my own soap opera, Meadow of Love,, operating my side business selling booklets for my secret language, and doing a dance teaching internship.

Approaching my thirtieth year, I now reflect on that moment, especially in light of the controversy surrounding what is taught in schools about Columbus. Had I known this back then, I could have just said I was opposed to learning about Columbus because of my Native American ancestry (true about my ancestry, but I'm just being silly now).

My point is, I didn't know what year Columbus sailed to America. Is it affecting my adult life now? Where are those other children who felt so smart? Did their entire life's success hinge on knowing "In fourteen hundred ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue"? Doubt it.

I agree that knowing facts can't hurt, but I think being able to create, think critically, and solve problems independently are much greater skills for any human being than memorization alone.

Thoughts?

Image via here.

More 'Found Art' at School

2011-10-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

"Look, it's a Jackson Pollock painting!"

A 6-year-old student at my school blurted out this observation while passing by the painting above. I was left with a giddy feeling inside. Frankly, it blew my mind and made me feel proud to be working at such a great school.

How did you know that? I asked myself. I guess we're teaching them something...

A Little Update

2011-10-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Life can be a wild ride. In 2009, I left my hometown - the beach area of Los Angeles - to move to Northern California. I started operating Now Child enrichment classes and teacher workshops, I took child development courses at a community college, and I stumbled into a job as a preschool principal. After two years, I felt like I was ready to move back home. I had walked the streets of San Francisco in the rain, driven over the Golden Gate Bridge, gone apple picking in the Santa Cruz mountains, attended art shows and concerts, met new friends, and got to know downtown San Jose like the back of my hand. Most importantly, I feel like I found myself.

Two years after leaving, I returned to my same position at the same school I had worked at when I left. How amazing is that? So, I'm currently working in administration at a large Montessori school. I plan to continue my blog updates and to see where life leads me. From where I'm sitting now, the path ahead looks bright.

Mondrian

2011-10-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

This is my view every day (besides a cavalcade of windows). Can you believe a parent volunteered to create this board, inspired by one of Piet Mondrian's most famous pieces, Composition with Yellow, Blue and Red? I am quite impressed.

This month, the primary (preschool) children at the school I work at are learning about Mondrian. They switch off learning about a different artist or musician every month.

Nature's Branding

2011-10-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Can you name any of these plants? What about the brands? If your answers are like mine, it's a little scary how disconnected we are from nature (and how, with zombie-like diligence, we can name brand logos).

I wish I knew the credit for this image, but a friend posted it on Facebook and no credit was provided.

The Fab Four

2011-05-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

My friend and former coworker (a Montessori teacher) recently shared this amazing photo with me. I am a total Beatles Freak (in fact, I'm listening to Breakfast with The Beatles as I write this), so I had to post this little piece of rock art.

Welcome Spring!

2011-03-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'm SOOOOOO guilty. I totally missed the first day of spring, which was March 20, on this blog. Yet, in my real life, I managed to tote in a ton of gardening supplies for the teachers at my school. I am so impressed with the way they just dig in to the theme of gardening. Just look at one teacher's use of our science center...

St. Patty's Day Lucky Charm Bag

2011-03-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

I know this is totally last minute, but I just thought of a fun St. Patrick's Day craft - lucky charm bags. It's the same idea as a mojo bag. This could be as easy as purchasing some cheap drawstring bags (from a party supply or dollar store) and having the children fill their bags with good luck charms. You could purchase cheap gems, beads, and small toys. Or, you could have the children go on a scavenger hunt for found objects to include in their bags. You could go so far as to hide lucky charms in a sensory table or in the sandbox and have children dig for them.

This was a last minute thought as I search for everything green in my wardrobe. What are you doing to celebrate St. Patty's Day? Green milk is on my school's menu tomorrow...

Image via here.

Two Years of Now Child Blogging

2011-03-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

Today marks two full years of the Now Child blog. Right now, I'm on a business trip to San Diego. I can't believe I've been blogging here for two solid years, and I can't believe I'm on a business trip! Life is unpredictably amazing.

Image of San Diego via here.

My New Bike

2011-03-06T10:14:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid my favorite thing to do, besides write and make up crazy secret clubs and/or business ventures, was ride my bike. Soaring down my street, the wind rushing through every cell in my body, I felt so free. I felt like I was some sort of mythical flying creature, perhaps a phoenix, although I didn't know what that was back then. But somehow, I knew a creature like that existed, if only in the minds of men. When I was on my bike, things like that were possible. Anything was possible.

Now, is it embarrassing to admit I still feel that way when I ride my bike? And, lucky for me, I just got this insanely cool new bike. It's from France and it makes me feel so European. I just got it last week and we have already gone on a few rides around our neighborhood. Riding it takes me back to those earthy childhood days, when my sweet-smelling sweat dampened my chest and I was a queen.

Oh, the power of the bicycle.

Tuck Everlasting

2011-03-03T19:53:00.001-08:00

I am currently reading Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. It is a young adult novel and I secretly wish I could write a book like this. The natural imagery is just breathtaking and the prose is fluid and lyrical. The way Babbitt describes the natural settings in the book makes me want to live deep in the woods somewhere and share in the mystical power of nature.

I am really enjoying this book, even though I know it's going to have a sad ending. I can remember my younger brother reading this book in fifth or sixth grade and saying the ending made him cry. Good books often have that effect.

Image via here.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

2011-03-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Dr. Seuss' birthday. To celebrate the beloved author's contribution to children's literature, we are having Wacky Wednesday at my school. I asked all the children and teachers to dress as wacky as they can. I myself will be dressing up in a plaid jacket, a huge hat, and possibly paisley shorts over tights. Would it be too much if I wore mismatched shoes too?

I just wish I had a hat like the one pictured above from Go, Dog. Go! (my favorite Dr. Seuss book).

Image via here.

The Connection Between Outdoor Play and Cognitive Development

2011-03-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

I am working on a group presentation in my child development class. My portion of the presentation is on the connection between outdoor play and cognitive development in 24-36-month-olds. I thought I would share a snippet:

When it comes to cognitive development in older toddlers, there is not a richer or more exciting environment to explore than the great outdoors. Outdoor play is much more than just play. A plethora of learning opportunities arises in a properly prepared outdoor environment.

Some examples of ways to support cognitive development in an outdoor environment are:

• Visual Discrimination (pre-reading) – gardening (comparing leaves, flower petals, etc.), insect studies (looking at various body parts of insects, etc.)
• Fine Motor Skills (pre-writing) – planting seeds, digging for worms
• Gross Motor Skills – raking leaves, sweeping, gardening, washing windows or other surfaces
• Logic – life cycle activities like caterpillars/butterflies, gardening
• Problem Solving – loose parts of outdoor environment
• Sensorial – water/cleaning activities, gardening

Image via here.

Getting Inspired

2011-02-26T17:15:00.001-08:00

"Some teachers are boring people."

My instructor said this during my infant and toddler development class this morning. She went on to say that some teachers basically get tired, burnt out, and uninspired. And when the teacher is not into it, the children are not going to be into it.

It got me thinking, because I have definitely been guilty of feeling blah some days, especially when I was teaching 2-year-olds. After five years of working with that age group, how do you stay energized? How do you stay inspired? Even in my current position as director, I sometimes get tired and just feel blah.

I think this happens with all jobs. But, when you work with young children, having the blahs is not good. Children feed off of our energy, and when the adults are feeling like emotional wrecks, everyone's going to be in for a crazy day.

So, how do we prevent the blahs in early childhood education? One of the best ways I've discovered is to make time for myself. I try to find time to do something I enjoy every day. It might be reading a poem, going for a walk, or just listening to The Beatles. Another thing I find helpful is envisioning things the way I want them to be. If I can envision the beautiful, the peaceful, and the positive, then I am just one step closer to bringing all that into my reality. The final thing is taking action. If you get lazy, get up and have a dance party with your students. If you feel like your environment is blah, bring in some fresh cut flowers. These little touches can bring lots of beauty and laughter into your day. And at the end of the day, that's what matters.

Image via here.

P.S. I just bought fresh cut wax flowers (above) for my house today. Trust me - a little beauty goes a long way!

Spring Goals

2011-02-23T19:57:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy, but somehow I have still gotten myself into some sort of mental rut. In order to get out of this, I am setting some goals for myself.

My goals for spring are:

1. Publish my outdoor education curriculum
2. Start a school garden at the school I run

If I can accomplish these two goals, I will feel so refreshed and accomplished. I need to do this for myself, my teachers, and my students.

Image via here.

Cozy Corners

2011-02-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

Well, my real life has been so busy recently, which explains why I only updated my blog twice in January. So much for New Year's resolutions. Oh well, it's never too late to get serious.

So, here I am. I am trying to get back into the routine of updating regularly while juggling work, home, and school. Yes, I'm back in school again this quarter. This time, I'm taking an infant and toddler development class.

With my busy schedule, I often get overstimulated and feel like I just want to run away and hide. I sometimes wish I had my own cozy corner or hiding space in my office. It's especially important for children to have a space to step away from the action and unwind themselves. That's why I wanted to share a few pictures of inspiring cozy spaces.

Images via here and here.

Change

2011-01-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."
~Mary Engelbreit

I posted this quote for today because I am conducting a staff meeting. As you might, suspect, I will be discussing ways we might improve (through change) our school. I am hoping to inspire and be inspired.

Image via here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T15:22:00.000-08:00

This is one of the dishes I'll be eating today: Harvest-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. I am heading to the kitchen to put it in the oven now...

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!!

Project-Based Learning

2010-11-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

This week, I had an assignment in my online class to listen to an NPR broadcast featuring an alternative high school. This particular high school operates using the project-based learning approach. The more I learn about the project approach, the more convinced I am that this is the solution to all of America's education woes. Wikipedia defines project-based learning (PjBL) as

"...an approach for classroom activity that emphasizes learning activities that are long-term, interdisciplinary and student-centered. This approach is generally less structured than traditional, teacher-led classroom activities; in a project-based class, students often must organize their own work and manage their own time. Within the project based learning framework students collaborate, working together to make sense of what is going on. Project-based instruction differs from inquiry-based activity by its emphasis on collaborative learning. Additionally, project-based instruction differs from traditional inquiry by its emphasis on students' own artifact construction to represent what is being learned."

In other words, students choose what they want to learn, then work individually, in groups, and within the community to gain the knowledge and tools they need to accomplish their project goals. This approach encourages the use of research skills, problem solving, communication, self-motivation, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. These are the buzz words that I often hear touted as "21st century skills". Really, I think these are the most important skills to possess in any time period. Yet, these are the very skills that are nearly impossible to "teach" in a traditional, compulsory classroom setting.

I hope we see more schools adopting a project-based learning approach. It seems like something worthy of our attention.

Image via Growing Dendrites.

Chicken Soup for the Preschooler

2010-11-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, I took a trip to visit my mom in Southern California. Possibly the best part of the whole trip was when I found my old record collection. It included many Disney read-along books and records, among others, but my favorite by far is still this Chicken Soup with Rice set by Maurice Sendak. The delightful poem, set to music by Carole King, chronicles every month of the year with Sendak's typically whimsical illustrations.

If you've never heard the song, it's a must-listen (and especially fun at holiday time):

Learning to the Test: My Moment to Vent

2010-11-09T05:16:00.000-08:00

I am studying for the GRE because most graduate programs require it for admission (as does the school I plan on applying to). I hope to start working towards an M.A. in 2011, but first I need to take this test.

I feel like a kid again, studying to just get through the test. This is annoying. I'm not learning anything and, worse yet, the test was obviously written by insane people.

Luckily, I picked up the study guide Cracking the GRE by The Princeton Review. It's all about getting behind the psychology of the test makers, which is all it ever takes to get a good score on a test. I had to do the same thing when I took the CBEST.

Like all educational matters, this subject has got me thinking. Right now, I want to devour information about the psychology of tests. Now, I will probably be off reading about the psychology of standardized testing when I should be studying for the test!

Image via here.

Monday Morning Quote

2010-11-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."
- Dr. Haim Ginnot

I have not posted a Monday morning quote for a long time. It is always a good way to start the week, though.

This one made me laugh at first, then made me think. I feel children are very impressionable, but the more I mature, I realize adults can be just as impressionable. We are all constantly growing and evolving in this life.

This quote reminds me to be mindful in my interactions with people, including children.

Image via here.

Busy Week = Great Weekend!

2010-11-04T18:40:00.001-07:00

I had an extremely busy week, plus I'm still recovering from this horrible virus that's been going around. Yuck! I promise I will be back to more regular posting next week.

Tomorrow night, I plan on going to South First Fridays downtown. My friend Lance is showing a piece at Metro, so stop by and take a look if you're in the neighborhood! The theme for the Metro photo show is "I Love Trash", which of course made me think of this classic song from Sesame Street, circa 1969. It will be interesting to see how all the different photographers interpret this colorful theme.

Image via here.

Flower Children Book

2010-11-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

While perusing my local bookstore during a rainy day last week, I stumbled upon this gem: Flower Children by Maxine Swann. If the cover doesn't capture your interest, try inhaling the first few sentences of Swann's prose:

"They're free to run anywhere they like whenever they like, so they do. The land falls away from their small house on the hill along a prickly path; there's a dirt road, a pasture where the steer are kept, swamps, a gully, groves of fruit trees, and then the creek from whose far bank a wooded mountain surges--they climb it."

As you can imagine, the book is about growing up with hippie parents. I have always wondered what happened to those children (like the two children in this photo - which is set as my desktop background and I look at everyday, I kid you not).

This is next on my to-read list for sure.

Image via here.

Classroom Inspiration

2010-11-01T05:03:00.000-07:00

It is my belief that even the youngest children deserve to be surrounded by beautiful objects. I think a big part of our job as early childhood educators and/or parents is to provide children with environments that stimulate their creativity and sense of wonder.

So, when I saw this vintage Belgian school table, you can imagine my excitement. I wish every preschool classroom would have furniture as beautiful as this.

Found on Handmade Charlotte.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T04:59:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I will be carving a dachshund pumpkin, handing out candy to neighborhood children, and hopefully checking out some costume bashes. I can't believe we are saying goodbye to October already!

Image via one of my favorite blogs, The Long and Short of it All (a blog for true doxie lovers).

Kid-Friendly Food

2010-10-28T05:01:00.000-07:00

Going back to the the food theme from Tuesday, let's discuss the concept of kid-friendly food. Child-friendly cuisine has always been an odd subject to me. I never understood why some people think food for children needs to be bland in taste and texture (I think Tuesday's post established children will eat grown-up food just fine, if you allow them). Yet, many parents and their children buy into the kid-food concept.

Well, KidFresh, a children's food brand, may have found a balance between fun, nutritious, and delicious food for children. It is not for the ordinary McDonald's eating child. It is for the discerning child. The type of child who says (and I quote this article from New York Magazine):

"I expected the food to be like Campbell's soup, but it's not at all. It's pretty good, but not for a guy like me. I prefer Citarella or Dean & Deluca. I treasure things like an aged basalmic vinegar and truffles - the mushrooms, not the chocolate."
- Jake, 10

So, maybe the child doesn't need to be that discerning after all. But, if a guy like Jake says it's "pretty good" it must be fantastic to mere mac 'n' cheese-gobbling kiddos.

All of their prepared meals are free of preservatives, artificial flavors, and trans fats. The packaging is BPA free as well.

What do you think? Is this just another gimmicky product, or is it a happy medium between fun and nutritious? Personally, I think children will eat whatever they are offered (unless there's something else at play, like an unknown food allergy causing stomach upset, or a dysfunctional relationship with food, most likely inherited by their caregivers).

Witch's Brew

2010-10-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite Halloween song! Hap Palmer is just fantastic.

We used this song when I taught gymnastics and dance with Superkids (a super-fun company to work for, btw). I always had such a blast this time of year stirring up a witch's brew with my students!

Here is what Hap Palmer's website says about "Witch's Brew", and the other songs on the album entitled Witch's Brew: A Pot Full of Songs for Oral Language Development and Singing Fun:

"The objective of these songs is to stimulate oral language development. They are easy to learn and fun to sing. Some of the songs appear twice, once with complete lyrics and once with blank spaces where the children sing lyrics they have created and verbalized... Many of the songs have Instant Sing Lines. The Instant Sing Line is a phrase or sentence that repeats itself throughout the song. Because it can be learned quickly, the children are able to participate right away."

The instant sing line for "Witch's Brew" is "I got magic, Alakazamakazoo".

Sing along. You know you want to. Here are the complete lyrics.

Another Reason to Move to France

2010-10-26T05:37:00.000-07:00

Escargot for public school lunch? Believe it, so says this GOOD blog post. The post prompted me to read this other great article about how French culture is so entwined with a healthy lifestyle, even down to their nursery school lunches.

Most entertainingly, CBSNews ran this must-watch video report on the subject. I strongly urge you to watch it. If you are anything like me, prepare for your mind to be blown by the amazing French public school lunch programs.

Image via Londonelicious.

Concrete Operations

2010-10-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had to conduct an assessment of a school age child for a class I'm taking. My assignment was to ask the child to perform various Piagetian tasks in order to determine if the child had achieved concrete operational thought (which is basically the ability to reason). I can't post any information about the child, or even the results of my assessment, but I can show you the tasks I created.

I wanted to be creative, so I incorporated a pop art theme into my tasks. I used objects that were colorful and/or imprinted with various pop art. Andy Warhol was the main inspiration.

Note: The questions below are to be asked after showing the child both set-ups in each sequence. If a child understands that the objects do not change in number, length, volume, etc. he or she has achieved concrete operational thought.

Conservation of Number
Which row has more paperclips?

Conservation of Space
Do the Andy Warhol magnets take up more space when they are spread out, or bunched together?

Conservation of Length
Which row of beverage coasters is longer?

Conservation of Volume
Which glass has more water?

Reading Weather

2010-10-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

It is supposed to rain in the Bay Area this weekend and I can't wait to cuddle up with a good book. Any suggestions?

Speaking of reading, this Guardian Books Blog post entitled, Should Children's Authors Explore Child Death? would be a good weekend read. The thought-provoking post is where I found the beautiful image shot by Christopher Thormond above.

Image via Guardian.

Yawn!

2010-10-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

We all have those days...

Don't expect any more from me today. But, I will make up for it tomorrow when I post the results of a cognitive assessment I'll be performing on a child this evening. I am very excited!

Vintage Montessori

2010-10-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

These old Montessori photos are so cool to me. Am I just a big dork to get excited over this? To tell the truth, I don't really care if I am an uber freakazoid of the early childhood kind.

I especially love the image of a traditional Montessori outdoor environment above. It looks pretty similar to the outdoor environment I ran at a Montessori school (only, I didn't wear a big plumed hat).

Images via Montessori for Infants and Toddlers, Michael Loaf, and Montessori Woods

Candy Corn-On-The-Cob

2010-10-19T05:26:00.000-07:00

This candy corn-on-the-cob cake totally reminds me of a cake I made for my 11th birthday. It was a Wizard of Oz yellow brick road cake that I designed and assembled all on my own. I sooooo wish I had a picture of it, but all those pics are probably deep in a box in my mom's garage. In short, I took a bundt pan and made a yellow cake, cut the cake in half, then reassembled it into an S shape. After that, I iced it with yellow icing, and painstakingly pushed what must have been hundreds of candy corn pieces into the cake. I topped it off with all four main Oz characters (Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow). Someday, I will find a picture of that cake and post it.

Image via National Confectioners Association site

Boo!

2010-10-18T05:24:00.000-07:00

These handmade Halloween Ghost Miniatures from Etsy seller Lenny Mud would be perfect in an early childhood classroom. Some of you may be gasping, especially if you noticed the ghosts are made from earthenware.

"Something breakable in the hands of young children??? The horror!!!"

I love to give young children beautiful, delicate objects and see what happens. If it is explained from the beginning that the objects could break and you need to be gentle with them, most children take it seriously. They are not idiots. When they hold delicate figurines in their tiny hands, they can feel that these items are special. They are not toys.

I would allow children to handle these on an area rug or tabletop. You could provide them with baskets or other props to facilitate counting and sorting (how would children sort the ghosts, you ask?... did you notice that some ghosts are smiling and some ghosts are saying, "Boo!"?) For younger children, you may want to get other figures that exhibit more obvious differences for them to sort (like pumpkins).

Land of Oz Theme Park

2010-10-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

How have I not heard of this before???? Apparently, they once had an Oz-themed amusement park in North Carolina called the Land of Oz. Sadly, it closed in 1980. I soooo wish I would have been able to visit when I was a child. I was such a Wizard of Oz geek (I was a fan of L. Frank Baum's book series more so than the MGM film.) It's embarrassing to admit, but I once owned all 14 books from the original Oz series. I never got around to reading them all.

Images via High Country Press, Waymarking, and Livewire.

Pancake Art

2010-10-13T04:49:00.000-07:00

All I can say is, "WOW". I thought my dad's Mickey Mouse pancakes were cool, but Jim of Jim's Pancakes is quite clearly the coolest dad in the world for the mere fact that he can turn a kid-friendly breakfast dish into even kid-friendlier edible art. He has really upped the ante in the world of parent-created food art. I'm sensing a possible Food Network competition in the making...

Images courtesy Jim's Pancakes.

Dad, Do You Want a Pet Monkey?

2010-10-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

Meet Finn Morrison, First-Grader. I absolutely adore Q&As featuring children. They are so much more entertaining than adult interviews, especially when the child wants a monkey as a pet. Thanks to New York Magazine for this charming piece.

P.S. There was some debate in the comments as to whether Finn is a boy or a girl. I love that it's okay to be undefinable, even at a young age. Does it really matter if Finn is a boy or a girl? The kid is awesome either way and I totally agree that a monkey would be a fun, even if somewhat unruly, pet.

Autumn Photos

2010-10-12T05:34:00.001-07:00

Although it's only Tuesday, I feel like I have been really lazy with updating this week. I am back to my normal work schedule, which means I have to be in at 6:30 a.m. Perhaps that explains my lack of ardor. Getting to work earlier affords much less time to plunk on these keys before the sun rises.

There. That is my apology for any ensuing laziness this week. Now here is a slideshow of gorgeous autumn photos from Slate.

Once Again...

2010-10-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to John. He would have been 70 on October 9.

"Before you cross the street,
Take my hand
Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans."

More about John here.

Image via here.

Hallowiener

2010-10-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

This pic reminds me of my Zelda. Maybe she will get to go to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin of her own this weekend!

Image via here.

School Days

2010-10-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

When was the first day of school? It's hard to tell anymore. I can remember going back to school the week after Labor Day when I was a child, but now it seems that schools are starting earlier and earlier. One thing I think about often is how school has become more and more of a barrier to children's healthy development (especially now that the president is talking of extending the school day and the school year).

Here's a picture that captures the essence of the "old" child-school relationship. Maybe I'm just projecting my own beliefs into the photo, but doesn't it seem like the children have a well-balanced life? They are going off to school for the day, but there is evidence that there is much more to their lives (like their trusty dog, a wobbly wheelbarrow, and lots of dirt - all opportunities for exercising problem-solving, creativity, and their little bodies!) Plus, do you suppose they were being driven to school in an Audi station wagon, or were they starting the day with a brisk walk? Would they come home to spend hours perched in front of a screen, or would they play with their dog until the sun went down? And, do you think there was a Lunchable in their lunchboxes, or a homemade sandwich and an apple?

And now, what was so wrong with that life? Does anyone really think more school is the answer to healthier, smarter children?

Image via Texas Escapes, courtesy Pat Boren.

Literary Halloween Costumes

2010-10-05T05:10:00.000-07:00

I'm loving Scholastic's ideas for DIY, literary-inspired Halloween costumes. I would have loved these ideas when I was about 10, only I probably would have wanted to dress up as a character from The Marvelous Land of Oz.

Oz image via here.

It's a Girl!

2010-10-04T05:08:00.000-07:00

I am taking an online child development class this quarter and we are using this really cool interactive web-based simulation called My Virtual Child (remember the digital pet fad of the '90s? It's like that, only we're "raising" our own virtual children).

The interesting (and painfully honest) part of this simulation is that it uses your own childhood history and the parental choices you make through the simulation to determine the growth and development patterns of your child.

I named my daughter Willow and right now she just turned 3. They grow up so fast!

Willow definitely takes after her mommy - right now, her spatial skills are a little delayed. She struggles with putting puzzles together (I can't help but laugh - to this day, I struggle with the most simple puzzles. I am really slow in the area of spatial skills.) Poor Willow... I sense we'll need to set aside money for a geometry tutor in high school.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-10-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to post anything today, but I stumbled upon these avant-garde pinatas that are just too cool not to mention.

First is this amazing Andy Warhol creation by artist Jennifer Rubell. The work of art was filled with Hostess snack cakes - a nod to Warhol's artistic use of iconic American brands . It was on display at Brooklyn Museum.

Secondly is this kid-friendly, whackable creation which showed at Rompe Puesto, an exhibition at the Bronx River Art Center. The four-finger ring was designed by Ronny Quevedo and was appropriately filled with Ring Pops.

Images via Art: 21.

My Birthday and High School Reunion

2010-10-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's not every day that you celebrate your 10 year high school reunion. And, mine just happens to fall on my birthday. It is pretty unnerving, but I'm in such a good place in life I am embracing my age, the past 10 years, and all that the future holds. It is so amazing to be in such a positive frame of mind. I highly recommend it!

Going back to my birthday, I'm proud to say my star sign is libra. I think I act the part pretty well. But, one of the best aspects about being born in October is sharing my sign with one of my greatest heroes: John Lennon. His birthday is coming up on October 9.

Images via Last.fm.

200th Post

2010-09-30T05:00:00.001-07:00

Wow! It's hard to believe the Now Child blog has been around since March 2009. I am just now celebrating my 200th post, which is a little embarrassing. Try as I may, between moving three times, starting a business, continuing my education, enjoying a few vacations, and writing an outdoor environment curriculum, my updates have not always been consistent.

Here's to another 200 wonderful, hopefully more timely posts!

Image via here.

Art Show Friday!

2010-09-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Is it Friday yet? My friend Lance is showing some photos at an art show in San Francisco Friday night and I can't wait! Here is a flier and some of Lance's photos for all who may be interested in attending. The show starts at 8 p.m. at 111 Minna Gallery. It's a band theme, so if you like rock 'n' roll, you should come check it out! Besides the edgy art, there will be live music from the infamous Duane Peters, as well as music jockeyed by Lars Frederiksen of Rancid.

Thrifted and Gifted

2010-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

We went to a dinner party last week and I felt so spoiled. Not only was the dinner fabulously catered by Dave Nelson of Crunch Catering (the Skate Chef himself), but our dinner co-host Julie gifted me some items my heart has been yearning for. It somehow came up in conversation that I have been looking for an elephant figurine and cloth napkins. Serendipitously, she just happened to have these items laying around the house (she's a big thrifter/garager/flea market queen). Major score for me! Thanks so much, Julie!

Also- isn't the matching cover for the napkins just perfect?

Sustainable Playhouses

2010-09-28T05:00:00.001-07:00

I just read this article about Modern Playhouse, a mommy-run company that designs these fabulous eco-friendly playhouses. Aren't they inspirational?

Weekend in the City

2010-09-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

I had the most amazing Saturday in San Francisco. Following my two hour yoga class and a long walk, I hopped in the car and drove up to Haight for lunch. The Squat and Gobble was amazing as usual, but the random shopping that commenced after lunch was even better!

I picked up some seeds for my garden from a hardware store...

and a hand-carved frog from Indonesia in an imports store.

Then, I stopped by Philz Coffee over in The Castro and bought these lovely blooms on an iced coffee-sipping stroll.

My Many Colored Days

2010-09-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

My mantra is "Don't dream it, be it." It's a grand thought, but sometimes it still eludes me. When my daily pursuits turn to survival, rather than joyful self-realization, I enter into a twisted perception of existence. In other words, I get in a funk.

Luckily, it is always temporary and once I snap out of it, I return to my normal, happy self. This happens to us all, no matter how positive we try to be. I was reminded how normal it is to have mood changes when I read My Many Colored Days to some of my students yesterday. It's a great book to help children understand and cope with the many emotions that come with life.

I am glad to say today is a blue day:

"On bright blue days, I flap my wings..."

Images via the lovely Chez Beeper Bebe.

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

2010-09-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

At last, I can truly celebrate the beginning of my favorite season! Today is autumnal equinox (aka the first day of fall). To me, the fall season feels as if nature is letting out one big sigh. It is so relaxing and comforting. Plus, I have my birthday at the beginning of October, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Christmas/Hanukkah season. There are so many things to look forward to: anything and everything pumpkin (pumpkin pie is my favorite food!), apples, pears, spices, foliage, nature hikes in crisp air, chai tea, pumpkin spice lattes...

I have been in a funk recently, but I suddenly feel so refreshed.

Some autumnal equinox slide shows for your pleasure:

Huffington Post.

Yahoo!

Image by Svetlana Hanina via Pixdaus.

Isn't it breathtaking?

Reminder: Play Again Screening Tonight

2010-09-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, Play Again will be screened in Berkeley tonight. View the flyer here for more info about the event and visit the film site here.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend. I am so bummed, but hopefully I can get it on Netflix or buy the DVD.

What's the Story, Morning Glory?

2010-09-22T05:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a glory? It's an optical phenomenon that creates a circular rainbow. According to Wikipedia, a glory occurs when light is reflected towards its source by a cloud of uniformly-sized water droplets. I noticed one just like the one in the photo above on my flight back from L.A. Sunday. I was staring out the window into the clouds, thinking all these random existential thoughts, and then the glory revealed itself. It was a little magical and made me feel like our plane was protected in this halo rainbow.

The thing that was the most "coincidental" is that I had just been thinking of the questions I had when I was a child - things I still ponder to this day. Like, "What is nothing?" and "Is there really a physical Heaven and Hell?" This made me think about matter and time, which made me think about the concept of reality, which made me think about illusions/perceptions. Then, the glory. It was one of those "God is winking at me" moments.

Image via here.

Holistic Arts Fair

2010-09-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking of attending a Holistic Arts Fair in San Jose this weekend. I am not sure exactly what to expect, but there are supposed to be over 50 exhibitors from various holistic fields. Has anyone ever attended this fair in the past? I saw a flier for it last year while eating at Good Karma, but didn't attend.

Image via here.

Back to Reality

2010-09-20T18:18:00.001-07:00

After five days in Arizona and Southern California, I'm back up North. While my vacation was fun and filled with adventures (including no water in our hotel and a bomb threat at the concert we attended), I'm glad to be back in the comfort of my own home. I picked up the October issue of Vogue at LAX and it got me inspired on all sorts of levels.

Although I bulldozed through most of the issue, there were a couple articles I managed read in their entirety. The most relevant to this blog was a profile of Daphne Miller, an M.D. in San Francisco's Noe Valley with a passion for providing holistic, food-as-medicine health care. The article entitled "Force of Nature" outlined the important connection between health and food.

Image of Daphne Miller via SF Gate.com.

Happy Friday!

2010-09-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am on vacation in Phoenix right now and will be heading back to L.A. tomorrow, then back to Northern California on Sunday. Enjoy your weekend!

Image via here.

Guatemalan Wall Hangers

2010-09-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Many preschool-aged children spend long hours at school. Meditating on this thought, I realized that many preschool classrooms are not very comfortable. Sadly, some schools don't even have soft furnishing and toys. There are many reasons for this: fear of the spread of germs/lice, lack of adequate space, lack of resources (money) to replace soft items that are in disrepair (or just plain stinky).

I recently came across a great alternative: wall hangings. The color and soft texture of wall hangings can really make the environment seem more relaxed. Plus, children can experience the comfort of touching the soft wall art, without as much chance of spreading germs or lice (i.e, the wall hangings would be less likely to go in the mouth or on the head).

These Guatemalan Wall Hangers from Hatch are an especially good find that would add color, texture, culture, and art to a classroom.

Coffee for Us Demanding Types

2010-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

I went to Starbucks yesterday on my lunch break and redeemed a coupon for a free coffee. The coupon was for an order they messed up. If only I received such a coupon every time they messed up one of my orders. I would be set for a good 15 years (the amount of years I've patronized Starbucks).

But, this isn't a Starbucks bashing fest. On the contrary, this is about the perfect cup of coffee, which I enjoyed last Sunday on a day trip to Berkeley. The place: Philz Coffee. The concept: handmade coffee created especially for you, one cup at a time. The joy! This is definitely no accident-prone chain coffee shop.

The website claims each cup is three times stronger than regular coffee, so you'll be "high as a plane!" Can't say I experienced this because I opted for a decaf (it was an after dinner treat). But, I'm looking forward to many more "trips" to this connoisseur-friendly gem.

Photo courtesy of the hubby.

Back-to-School Eating

2010-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

As an early childhood educator, I have seen everything packed in children's lunch boxes, from seemingly innocuous items like gummy snacks and Lunchables, to the extremes of Smarties candies and cake donuts (I swear this is the lunch one of my 2-year-old students brought every day for a year). The point is, I sometimes wonder what people are thinking when they pack their children's lunches. But then, I'm reminded that life is busy and food preparation is something that takes second priority to taking baths and checking homework. But, food needs to be in that top-priority list. Just as you help keep your kids clean on the outside, you need to help keep them clean on the inside too.

Whole Story (the Whole Foods blog) recently had a helpful post entitled Setting Positive Eating Habits for Kids & Teens. It's a good reminder of the simple things adults can do to help children eat right. The post goes beyond the basics of following the food pyramid to give advice on EATING BEHAVIOR (something we all too often overlook).

Image via Diet.com.