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| Friday, April 18, 2008 |
Fine Motor Skills Finds |
Thanks for all your comments and suggestions! I have found out some interesting things about fine motor skills in the past day.
First of all, I decided of course that I'm going to do the suggested activities on the worksheet from my older son's (OS) teacher. Since my younger son (YS) wants to do everything that OS does, he'll also be participating. However, since YS has always had remarkable fine motor skills, this extra work will probably give him superhero skills where at the tender age of 21 months, he'll be able unlock the deadbolt go outside and hotwire my car.
I talked to a friend of mine who was a kindergarten teacher for many years and she told me something very interesting. She said contrary to what people might think, many times the best way to work on fine motor skills is to work on the upper arm strength. Of course I should have OS do the activities for fine motor skills, but I should alternate them with upper arm strength skills; one day for fine motor skills and one day for doing things like throwing a ball.
The reason behind this is that if the upper arms aren't strong enough, it affects the way the entire arm functions. It doesn't go backwards though so working on fine motor skills does not increase arm strength. Too bad about that or I could trade my weight lifting for typing on my computer!
One of the questions she asked me is if OS crawled using his arms. Not surprisingly he didn't. He was a "butt hopper". I don't know how to explain because I've never seen another kid do it nor had his pediatrician, but it was like he frog hopped on his bottom. He would actually get clearance. My friend said that he may have never fully developed his arm strength.
Then she told me the big question. Get ready because here it is: can your child do the monkey bars? Yes, you did read that right. There is a correlation between kids doing monkey bars and penmanship. The better the kids are at the monkey bars, the better the penmanship. The Big Giraffe looked stunned by this realization because he really struggled with monkey bars as a kid and he still struggles with his penmanship now. It all has to do with arm strength. Needless to say, OS cannot hold on for more than a second or two much less attempt to move to the next bar.
We actually had already been discussing enrolling OS in gymnastics. He's currently in swimming and I didn't want to do too much. However, school is over next month so I think two activities for the summer would be really fun for him. Actually for all my initial issues with art class, I soon began swim team and did gymnastics and I would go so far as to say the fine motor skills are one of my strengths now. In the meantime, we will be doing fun and exciting things like picking up pasta and dried beans with tongs and working on monkey bars at the park. I have a feeling the Big Giraffe will be right behind OS in line for the monkey bars.
I talked to OS's teacher this morning and she said that OS's struggle is age appropriate. Phew! Other kids in the class also got the note.
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: Got bad penmanship? Go for a swing or two across the monkey bars. Labels: Child Health and Personal Care, Preschool |
posted by Alex Elliot @ 8:46 AM   |
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| Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |
I Am Not My Child-Repeat After Me |
This morning at playgroup I asked one of the moms who is a teacher about bullying. This has been a topic on our moms group list-serve and I was surprised that no one had suggested talking with the parents to handle the situation. I wasn't sure if you weren't supposed to do that or if I had missed an email where the mom explained that either she already had talked to the other mom or had chosen not to for a specific reason. Turns out it was the latter. However, my friend did say that a lot of times parents don't want to hear that their child is being a bully.
You probably know where this one is going. Immediately I swore to myself that I was never going be one of "those" parents who didn't want to hear that her child was less than perfect. I mentally scoffed at those parents. Then I went to pick up my older son (OS) from preschool.
After unclipping his backpack and strapping him into his booster seat, I opened up his backpack and noticed a note from his teacher. It contained a printed list of things to do to improve fine motor skills. At the top was a sentence from the teacher suggesting that OS do some of them. I felt myself getting defensive. OS didn't have a problem with his fine motor skills! His skills are just fine. He's four not fourteen! There's no reason that being a little behind in fine motor skills should cause someone to almost fail art class and thus be in danger of repeating second grade. Oh wait a minute, that was me! Who exactly was I talking about? I silently said my little mantra "I am not my child, my child is not me".
I still felt a little indignant. Then I remembered that only seconds earlier I had found myself questioning whether OS may have a little difficulty with fine motor skills. After all, he cannot strap himself into his booster seat with his seatbelt, and he cannot easily clip the straps of his backpack across his chest, much less unclip them. While his teacher had mentioned to me that she still has to help some of the kids in the class, most of them can do these things themselves. OS is one of the youngest in the class...though. Hmm...apparently I just can't get past this art class. It probably is a good idea to do some Crafts for the Clueless-worthy activities follow some of the suggestions from the worksheet. Of course I left a message for the teacher to to discuss it.
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: You are not your child-repeat after me. Labels: Preschool |
| posted by Alex Elliot @ 8:55 PM |
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| Monday, March 24, 2008 |
The Dreaded Phone Call |
As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I realized that there were a number of phone calls I never wanted to receive. Some of them are obvious like a phone call from the hospital. Some of them came to me the longer I have been a mom. Unfortunately today I received one such phone call from the director of my older son's (OS) preschool. Immediately visions of what it could be flashed through my mind: - a broken arm, no the director wouldn't sound so cheerful
- OS had told his entire class how babies were made, that seemed very likely
- OS had pushed someone, unlikely as he's not very aggressive, but then again you never know
- OS had peed in his pants or worse, again not likely
- OS had said said a swear word, no comment on that one except to say that I have never heard him say a swear word and the Big Giraffe and I do try to watch what we say
- Oh no, I knew what it was! He had that stomach bug that was going around his preschool
It turns out it was none of those things. It was Pink Eye! Yeah, I was thrilled, particularly when the director said it was likely that our younger son (YS) would get it along with the Big Giraffe and me. I think I would rather have the stomach bug. Of course I felt bad that I had brought OS to school and exposed the whole class. Honestly, if I had thought he had it, I obviously would not have sent him. I do have to say that I am pleased that we've gone this long without every experiencing pink eye. In fact, this is the first of the common childhood illnesses that either of my kids have had. We've, knock on wood big time, have not yet experienced strep throat, Fifth's Disease or Hand Foot and Mouth. Hopefully I won't be getting phone calls about that in the few weeks. Now I just have to make sure to check caller ID to screen out any angry calls from parents of OS's classmates!
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: Eventually Pink Eye does seem to hit every family. Labels: Child Health and Personal Care, Preschool |
| posted by Alex Elliot @ 9:13 AM |
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| Wednesday, March 19, 2008 |
My Brand of Education: One Child Left Behind |
Faithful readers of this blog are familiar with Lindsey. She is the woman who saved helped me when I had that monstrous teeny tiny mishap - accidentally locking my clothes in a locker with a random lock that happened to be hanging there while only wearing a towel. Last week her 5th grade math class was working on different number combinations, using locks as an example. The class apparently did so well that she decided to reward them with a humorous story about locks. Yes, that would be the story about yours truly. It was an example of how the right combination does you no good if it isn't applied to the correct lock. The class thought it was hilarious. Just glad to be doing my part to educate today's youth. Alright, I even admit it was really funny...in retrospect...alright it was even funny when it was happening!
Not every child enjoyed a recent brush with the education system. As I predicted on Monday, my younger son (YS) did pitch a fit today when I dropped my older son (OS) off at preschool. I assumed he believed that his brother was being feted with cookies and brownies at preschool. However, when I took him out of his carseat at home, I realized he had been uncomfortable from sitting on a Fisher Price Little People dog. He was all smiles once he was back to playing with OS's most coveted toys while his brother was at school.
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: Playing at home and hearing stories at school are both fun.Labels: Exercise and Fitness, Humor (at least Attempted), Preschool |
| posted by Alex Elliot @ 6:08 PM |
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| Monday, March 17, 2008 |
Sibling Rivalry and a Window into Preschool |
Throughout the year, my older son (OS) has had a number of parties at his preschool where specific parents were invited to help. I participated in his preschool birthday party at the beginning of the year, and since then I have been waiting for my invitation to return. I was thus excited when my younger son (YS) and I were invited to help out at today's preschool St. Patrick's Day party. Of course, I wasn't even half as excited as YS. While at 20 months-old, he has not asked me any questions about OS's preschool curriculum, he has become increasingly interested over the past few weeks in what happens to OS between preschool drop-off and pick-up.
When we walked into the classroom, YS found that the teacher had set aside a spot for him at one of the snack tables. He sat down and was given a shamrock plate, followed by a sprinkle cookie and then, drum roll please, a frosted brownie. These treats were topped off by a Dixie cup of apple juice. YS seemed thrilled beyond belief! I could just see the wheels turning in his head. This must be what preschool is like for OS every time! The fun didn't stop with snack time. YS joined the other students in going through books, danced to Irish music with the other students, and finally sat quietly with the other students while yours truly read a story. YS even went outside to play on the playground with the other students.
I'm curious to see if YS will want to go to preschool with OS on Wednesday. I predict a giant temper tantrum will ensue. I hope I'm wrong.
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: Whether or not learning is fun, school is.Labels: Preschool |
| posted by Alex Elliot @ 8:07 PM |
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| Friday, March 14, 2008 |
Pride, Pet Rocks, and Alex Elliot: Annoying Parent |
Before I became a parent, I vowed that I would never be one of those obnoxious parents that would boast about their kids left and right. You know what that's like...you politely ask a mom (or dad) how her kid is doing and she gives you a list of the kid's top 50 achievements...in the four months that have passed since his birth. I would never ever do that!
Who am I kidding? I have yet to find a pre-parent declaration that I've kept. There may, and I stress may, possibly have been some blatant subtle bragging during the past five years. I do know one thing for sure though, I just have to take a moment here to talk about how impressed I am with my older son (OS). Yes, I know I am just like am one of those annoying parents. Come on though and cut me some slack! My most recent post was about how both my kids were playing in the toilet yesterday, not how they were finding the cure for cancer.
OS is really into ocean life. Some kids are really into trains, dinosaurs or pirates for example, and they can tell you every little detail about them. That's how OS is about marine life, in particular dolphins and whales. He can recognize many sea creatures, and even explain the differences between various types of dolphins and whales.
This morning when I dropped OS off at preschool, his teacher handed me a pet rock that he made in class. She told me that most of the kids chose to do bunnies, kittens, or puppies for their pet rocks. Not OS. He made a whale pet rock. It was the only whale pet rock in the class. After school I asked OS to tell me about his whale pet rock. First he specified that it was not just any pet rock, but was specifically a blue whale pet rock. I noticed two cotton balls on the rock. OS matter of factly told me that the two cotton balls were for the two flukes of the whale's tail. Six months ago, I didn't even know what a fluke was! OS actually ensured that his whale had them.
Yes, I know I know. I'm totally bragging here, but I was just so proud that he took an interest and carried it over into a school craft. Alright now I'm off to slink away. Did I mention that my kids bathed a cloth doll in the toilet yesterday?
 
I still can't find my camera and had to rely on my cell phone.
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: It is no fluke that I am proud of my children.Labels: Crafts, From the Mouths of Babes, Preschool |
| posted by Alex Elliot @ 6:50 PM |
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| Saturday, March 08, 2008 |
Homeschooling Restrictions in CA and Breastfeeding |
I know, what a bizarre title! What does one thing have to do with the other? Well, yesterday I read an article in the Chicago Sun Times about breastfeeding or rather the the big push for people to breastfeed regardless of whether it's the best decision or even feasible for a particular family. It's called Moms Feel Pushed to Breastfeed. It actually was a very interesting article because it talked about the history of La Leche. La Leche was founded to ensure people have the support they need to be able to choose breastfeeding. To some people, it continues to be an invaluable support. Some perceive certain chapters as "pushing for your right to choose, but only if you choose breast-feeding." I empathized with one of the women who felt guilty about not breastfeeding.
Then I read an article about the restrictions on homeschooling in California where a state appellate court ruled that parents must have a teaching certificate in order to be homeschooled.
So what do the two articles have to do with each other? To me they're about choices. Personally, I'm not planning on homeschooling my children. I reserve the right to change my mind, but for a variety of reasons, I don't currently consider it a fit for me. However, I like that I have the choice to be able to do it. I like that I can decide what's best for my children and my family without government interference. I think there are many reasons to homeschool kids. While a teacher's certificate may ensure that parents are qualified to homeschool their children, certification does not guarantee that a parent will do a good job. More importantly, lack of certification does not mean that a parent cannot do a good job of homeschooling.
I am not convinced that homeschooling parents should be accountable to the government. On one hand, I can understand wanting to make sure that children are learning the basic skills they need. On the other hand, once the government is regulating what children learn, I struggle with where the line should be drawn. However, if we assume for the moment that California is right in believing that homeschooling parents are accountable to the government, a more fundamental question is whether requiring teaching certification is the best way to drive such accountability.
I don't think that having a teacher's certificate means that children will necessarily be homeschooled better than children whose parents do not possess the certification. Do I think there's a good chance that those kids will get a good education? Sure. But it's not a guarantee. Nor is it a guarantee that children of a parent without the certification won't have a good education. Personally, if the government should be regulating homeschooling this way, I prefer the approach that I have heard described in Massachusetts, where parents are required to go over their lesson plans with school superintendents. That way there is some sort of check. I've also been told that most MA libraries offer lesson plans that parents can use.
If MA were to try something similar to CA, I would be out picketing with all the homeschoolers. I know not all families homeschool for religious reasons, but it does seem ironic to me that liberal me would be on the same side of the picket line as some people who are very conservative.
Ultimately, parents are the ones who know themselves and their children the best. Whether it's breastfeeding or homeschooling, you're the one raising your child. Neither government experts nor community organizations are around for midnight feedings or when your child doesn't understand fractions. Our kids aren't all the same. We as parents aren't all the same. Our families are not all the same. We don't all learn the same way. We also don't handle social situations the same way. Finally we don't cook the same way. Why would we need to feed our children the same way or educate them the same way?
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: Parents should have freedom of choice.Labels: Breastfeeding, Feminism, Preschool |
| posted by Alex Elliot @ 7:04 PM |
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what are Monkey Bars????????