No, no, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

TWO of my friends had little ones start Kindergarten last week...and I have spoken to TWO teary Mommys this week who are just broken-hearted that school isn't at all what they expected. As a Mommy, I'm sad. As an educator, I am FURIOUS. But also as an educator I'm way backed up on a tech project right now...I just want to see what advice y'all have for these Moms...I'm having a hard time being impartial right now!!

"Just Playing"

I was just blog-browsing (yup, supposed to be working but needed a quick break) and I came across a Mommy who's frustrated with homeschooling and how it feels...suddenly teaching and learning have become stressful and unnatural. Even though I don't know this woman, my heart went out to her because I've been there as a Mommy and a teacher. I shared the name of this poem, but here it is in case someone reading here hasn't seen it--or needs to see it again. This is the reason behind learning to play*playing to learn. This week I've been reminded at how those words were true 9 years ago, and they're true today...and they'll always BE true. Sometimes the simplest truths are the most profound, no?

Just Playing--Anita Wadley

When I am building in the block room, please don't say I'm "just playing". For you see, I'm learning as I play, about balance and shapes. Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies, don't get the idea I'm "just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play; I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay, please don't let me hear you say, "He is just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm expressing myself and being creative. I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience, please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with choice things I find, don't pass it off as "just play". For you see, I'm learning as I play. I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "plaything" at my school, please don't feel the time is wasted in "play". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate. I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods, please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "just play". I'm learning to follow direction and see differences. I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body, please don't say I'm "just playing". For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning how my body works. I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, "I just played", please don't misunderstand me. For you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I'm preparing for tomorrow. Today, I am a child and my work is play.

Have a 'tweet' year!

The teachers at Kayci's school requested whistles...a week ago, this bucket was filled to the brim. :)



-- out & about, courtesy of the wonderphone

woot!

James loves woot!, and today he sent me a link to kidswoot!--we may be in trouble, now. Check it out (you gotta look daily, that's the joy of woot!).

www.kids.woot.com

Oh, Lordy!

There goes my budget...


-- out & about, courtesy of the wonderphone

Getting Ready for School

A friend and I were talking on the phone last night about getting ready for school. When we ended the year last year, we had so many things we wanted to do before--and for--this school year. Now that the time is here, I know there are at least a few things on the list that I haven't accomplished, and a few questions I haven't been able to answer. So now my task is to focus and prioritize...cover the big things and decide when to fit the rest in. But you know, while I'm crazy busy right now, I'm also crazy happy--it's an exciting time to be in PPCD. There are some awesome changes coming our way, and lots of fun things to do in the meantime. I'm so excited about this year, and about getting going! (I know, I know...I always miss the summer as soon as it's over, but that's okay...there are always afternoons, evenings and weekends!)

Upside Down...

I'm at the Preschool Summer Institute this week...and boy, is my brain swimming after just one day. It's like, in some ways, it's like they've turned PPCD upside down--what we used to think is just about opposite of what it needs to be today.

ARRGH. It's wonderful and horrible and awesome and overwhelming, all at once.

I love my job...and I love the fact that we're on the verge of making some amazing changes to make our friends' lives even better. But man, there's a lot of work right now...