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I should never make open-ended promises that are online where no one (except myself) can hold me accountable. Remember poems? I might actually do them someday (who knows), so I won't apologize for not doing them, just in case.
Remember how I'm pregnant? So far it's great. I'm not going to blog about that either. This blog is mostly for philosophizing and puking up angst and so far I haven't needed to do that. (Thank goodness).
Confession: I have never seen Forest Gump. Or Grease. Which do you find more shocking?
Confession II: I don't usually let myself get excited for movies. Either I have confidence they'll be good, so why get excited, or I have a sneaking suspicion they'll be sub-par and I don't want to get my hopes up.
Still, there are two movies in the "Summer Blockbuster" category that I'm actually excited about. Sadly, they'll probably both be very cheesy and have bad dialogue, but hey, I'm still excited cause, well...they look cool.
There's The Last Airbender (See two awesome previews here). Doesn't that just look awesome? I'm excited for way they combine martial arts with the elements. These look like fight scenes that will be enjoyable to watch, in that they are actually beautiful. (Like those space battles in Star Trek. Thank you Mr. Abrams.)
And, of course, The A-Team (trailer). I have such fond memories of that show. The creative element is so fun (and probably the reason I like Burn Notice so much). I love Liam Neeson, and I've heard good things about the guy playing Murdock. I have a special place in my heart for Dwight Schultz, so this new guy better live up to expectations!!
Those films will probably not be my favorite of the summer, but since most people don't talk about or show previews for the types of movies I love, who knows what they will be.
I've been on a non-fiction kick (very strange for me). Right now I'm reading Understanding Child Development by my old professor A. Lynn Scoresby. Great man, great book. I saved it from college. Nugget for the day? Did you know that your brain grows two ways? It grows based on biological cues (that you have no control over), which continue until you are fully grown/developed. But also from mental stimulation (which you do control) that can continue over a lifetime. In fact, research shows that when you keep your brain active it stops aging.
Cool huh?
The other recent thing I learned is about the sensitive periods that exist for human beings. These key opportunities for learning coincide with rapid physical growth. Scientists have theorized that the sensitive period for emotional growth is from birth to five years, for mathematical, birth to five years, and linguistic, birth to ten years. These things can still be learned after that time, but children are more susceptible to them during their early years. As an educator, this kind of makes me sad, because it is easy to pick out the children that do not have one of these learning needs met in their home.
So, parents of the world, don't wait for your kids to start Kindergarten and expect them to thrive when they get there. If they're ready to learn something, go for it!
Two most important things you can do? (in my opinion)
1. Teach them about books by reading to them and making books available to them.
2. Have conversations with them on many subjects (i.e. people, behavior, the world).
I'm not a parent yet, but I've studied a lot about children and how they work/think/learn. You've just received my two cents.
That's all for now folks. I wrote this post to prove to myself that I always have something to say and should write more....who knows, maybe I will.
But I'm not making any promises.
Printable Schedule Cards
3 years ago
5 comments:
I have never seen those movies either. :)
it was great to see you the other day!
Hahahaha, yup. You're not a parent yet. I thought I'd be doing all those things.. and now I have. I've tried all those things with Jonnie b/c I KNOW how intelligent he is, but he's also very much his own person. He won't have anything to do with anything I want him to unless he brings those things to me himself, and only just within the last week and a half or so, has he not destroyed every single thing that he's laid his hands upon. I feel horrible for not doing the things that all these books say about child development in the first year or two, but what do you do when your child is more indepenent and strong-willed than you? Good thing he's only 18 months. I still have a small amount of time before his little brain stops developing, as your dr put. =P
I have never watched Forest Gump or Grease either and I really haven't felt the loss. :)
See Beka, in my mind, that means you ARE doing those two things.
As parents and teachers, we just provide the opportunities so that kids get it when they are ready. Another thing I've read about is the importance of alone time for children. They need that time to become more creative, learn to problem solve, etc.
Chiemi and Becky: I do plan on watching Forest Gump (someday), cause I like Tom Hanks and I've heard good things. Grease, well? We'll see....maybe.
More thoughts:
I haven't read as much about specific things you or your children should do, I think that's kind of silly since it depends SO much on the child and family. My two suggestions are goals to be spread out over a lifetime, but especially the first five years. It's more of a process. Even having a conversation with your husband is a teaching moment for your child. They talked about a study where they found that children who were unsuccessful in school had parents that spoke to them in few words sentences. ("Be quiet," "Eat," etc.) As long as you interact with your children, you don't need to worry. I can't think of anyone I know personally that needs to hear these things, beyond the little reminders we all need every once in a while.
Thanks for reading and commenting ladies!
I think we have both of those movies! remind me and i'll dig 'em out while you're over and we'll watch them! :)
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