"Mommy, may I help?"

Young children have a naturally inquisitive side. They want to explore the world around them. And, they love to help!

Joey and Ezra are quite quick to say, "Mommy, may I help?" While a part of me wants to accomplish a task as quickly as possible, another part of me wants to include my children in the activities I do. By doing so, the child fulfills a love of curiosity, learns life lessons and skills, and recognizes his own value in the family (and in the world). Me? I learn patience, rediscover the excitement of my tasks, and bond with my children by completing activities together.

When we allow children to help direct some of their learning by engaging in activities of interest, children learn at an accelerated rate. For example, both Joey and Ezra have learned a lot about harvesting food and seeds by helping to glean seeds from okra, scoop and separate seeds and roasted meat from pumpkins, cut up apple chunks for boiling into sauce, as well as gathering an assortment of food from the gardens: potatoes, green bell peppers, scallions (their favorite to harvest), basil and oregano, tomatoes, etc. Joey would sit for hours popping popcorn kernels from the cobs.

But, here's the catch. I did not ask or demand my children to do any of these things! Either Russell or I started working on a project and the boys merrily joined in. As Joey gets older, he's asking to do more and more: gather eggs from the coop, help carry firewood (especially when we're loading up the stoves), vacuum dust from the floor, even cleaning the bathroom. It surprises me every time Joey expresses such interest in exploring the world around him. However, I am certain that if I did not allow him to help, but denied his desire to help, he would stop asking.

Now there is a caveat. While allowing my children to perform the tasks they want, I also set boundaries to help them be safe while learning about the necessities of life activities. For example, they know to only handle blunt butter knives when helping with cutting fruits or vegetables, and only when they ask Mommy or Daddy first. Similarly, while Joey and Ezra can help carry wood to the fireplace, they know they are not allowed to put wood into a burning stove. Both boys know they have to wash their hands with soap and water before helping prepare food. There is a plentitude of opportunity to gently teach children what such boundaries are, as well as why they are important. Setting such boundaries takes time and consistent reminding, but over time beneficial boundaries will stay with the child.

So, the next time your young (or older) child asks to help, consider it an opportunity for learning. Learning is not restricted to "academic" subjects and even the academic subjects - reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, etc. - are evident in the simplicity of day-to-day life. Consider what your child will need to know and how the routines in everyday life are just as important to master as correctly pronouncing phonemes as a basis for reading. 

Let your child help! And, take a moment to post about it in the comments section below.

Paper, paper, everywhere

Paper infiltrates our lives. In our household, there are piles of newspaper and junk mail, a box for recycling paper-based containers that once held store-bought food, in addition to the construction paper and graph paper and lined paper bought new from a store. It can be overwhelming, this amount of paper that seems to slither from under baseboards in the dark of night; and yet, with a little creative effort, this commodity can not only provide an immense amount of educational tools, but also tons of fun in the process.

Previously, I mentioned the use of recycled containers for practice in pinpointing particular letters of the alphabet, perhaps by using stickers to plop on a letter or markers to circle them. Magazines and newspaper are useful for the same purpose. In order to practice cutting skills, preschoolers can cut out specified letters, pictures for a glue-stick created collage or decorated notecards, etc. Perhaps you could have your child hunt for pictures that start with particular letters; write out tangible nouns on slips of paper and have the child match those words to their corresponding pictures; or create your own word-picture game for plenty of fun learning.

Most children love the art of folding newspapers. Airplanes, kites, and hats are perhaps the most well-known creations from folded papers. But an Internet search on origami will also yield folded lilies, swans, and myriad shapes that can also be painted or decorated and given as gifts. Perhaps you could create unique ornaments to hang on trees, walls, and even as pendants or earrings or headbands or button-hole additives for people you love. Or, and especially if you are averse to cut flowers or know someone with allergies, you could fold flowers from paper that is painted and plopped into a vase for a lovely arranged bouquet.

The boys love to doodle and draw, write letters, and copy words and phrases. Papers with such colorful and unique patterning make excellent gift wrap, writing paper or cards, scraps for future crafts and projects. Some people use paper as starter for their wood stoves, others shred it for package stuffing; some, drench it for weed control in their gardens; others, sort if for recycling or composting. So, instead of pitching your pile of paper in the trash, consider creative ways to make that paper an educational tool for your children. And, share your creative tips with others!

With or without glycerin?

My boys love to bubble their milk. Whether that cup of creamy white drink was just used for dipping cookies or accompanies their favorite food, the meal usually ends with opaque bubbles rounding off the top of their cups. Joey and Ezra also love chasing soapy bubbles through the front garden or blowing them from the top of their play tower.

Recently - when the weather warranted short-sleeved shirts - we took soapy bubbles, repurposed styrofoam trays, and straws outside, so that they could create bubble mounds. Needless to stay, the boys loved this sticky mess (and I was glad we did this outside). We made observations about the bubble making process and the fluids we used, and even compared the result from soapy water to the results of trying to bubble milk, plain tap water, and honey. Although our "discussion" was low-key, as my oldest is only 4, this project could reveal some insightful scientific and mathematical conversations for older children. You could discuss the surface area of a sphere, for example, which is the shape a bubble takes for purposes of minimalization; the layering of a bubble's "skin" - including the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of a soap molecule; the hexagonal structure that bubbles make when they prolificate (this includes discussion of the 120 degree angle formed when bubble walls meet); etc. You can observe, journal, or draw the prism of color that forms across a bubble's sheen and discuss the physics of light. There are so many opportunities waiting for you in the common bubble!

I incorporated this love of blowing through straws with another of the boys' loves: paint (or in this case, food-coloring-tinged water). Joey and Ezra blew paint across paper, which we used for homemade thank-you and note cards once the paint had dried. They explored the saturation of color by dipping bright white cotton balls into the painted water and splotching the paint in trails across the paper, too. The boys quickly noticed the difference between blowing glycerin-infused water and colored tap water. And, this artistic endeavor can hold a wide-range of creative twists. Consider trying these projects and share how you incorporated it into your day.

And, have fun learning!

H is for Hike

Each week we devote ourselves to a different letter and use the senses to explore that letter. We discover tangible objects throughout our house that start with the noted letter, take a trip to see or experience something with that letter, eat food that starts with the letter, etc. Several weeks ago, we learned the letter "H." After reading some children's books devoted to H, as well as my go-to books: "Dr. Seuss's ABCs" and "My Spiritual Alphabet Book," the boys had to sort objects into two different piles. One pile was devoted to objects starting with G, for reviewing; the other, with H. The objects mingled in a bag and one by one, Joey or Ezra delved elbow-deep into the bag to claim an object. Although Joey was the main sorter, Ezra managed to help, too. In the G pile, glasses, a giraffe, glue, and a game were placed. The H pile grew to include: a heart, a helicopter, a hotpad, and a hat.

Later in the week, we took a hike on one of the myriad trails along Skyline Drive. Getting the boys in nature any time is important, but connecting letters with experiences is a great way to making the alphabet real for them - so H for hike made an impact. Not only were the boys enamored with the Limber Lost trail we took, but they were even excited to point out items along the way that could be identified with the letters they knew. Rounding a bend in the path, we came upon the short remains of a chopped tree trunk.

"Look!" Ezra pointed with great exuberance and in his little boy accent, "a heart!"

"Ezra, heart starts with the letter H," Joey said in his big brother way, as if he had just centered new meaning in the galaxy (which in some ways he had for himself; and which is also apt as we have been reading Madeleine L'Engle - so his mannerism seemed to come from the pages of her books).

"Oh!" said Ezra, "okay!"  Then, he proceeded to run ahead to the next interesting spot on the trail.

Besides a heart-shaped tree trunk, the boys found a hole, which was the escape route of a chipmunk they were frantically stalking on the hike. They also found some non-H bits of nature that were just as fascinating, and all along the trail, Joey finger-drew his name in the fine gravel of the trail. Letters abounded.

And, they can abound for you, too. If you decide to run through the alphabet, consider cooking foods that start with or can shape the letter for the week. Plan activities with that letter in mind. Perhaps hopscotch or horseback riding would round out your H week. Read books that start with the letter H or have main characters whose names start with H. Listen to music by bands or composers with your proclaimed letter. Look for youtube videos that incorporate the letter, too (such as a good video of juggling for J - I would highly recommend Juggling Charlie at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfJM1I9hFRs). Or, browse books at the library or the Internet for good images of a non-native animal that begins with your letter. We researched hot air balloons recently, because Joey wanted to know how hot air balloons descended (more on that later). We found a great book at the local library, a Curious George book that included a hot air balloon, and saw some videos on youtube to help with this research. 

Learning should be a life experience and it should be based on student interest. If you can make a child's learning relative, fun, engaging, and contextual - as well as child-focused and not teacher-focused - then, you're looking at a great recipe for encouraging life long learners. And, more importantly, life long learners that engage the community around them and work toward making a difference in the lives of others.

So, happy learning - and have fun!  And, do share the fun ways you engage a letter in your home.

Patterning prompts possibility

Lately, Joey has become fascinated by various kinds of colorful pattern blocks.  On the one hand, my four-year-old maneuvers wooden wedges into mesmerizing arrangements that mimic quilt squares, but brighter than his subtle blues, greens, and creams. He selects a card and with a determined spirit, sets to work until the square platform is complete.  With a glee-filled smile as wide as his face, Joey shares the design with us, disassembles the pattern, and starts again.

On the other hand, Joey loves our large tub of plastic shapes, which he manipulates into creative images, determines ending patterns to sequences, and engages in other imaginative play with the blocks. I am usually amazed by his created concoctions. Of course, he is equally enamored with the incorporation of items such as mini-marshmallows, candies, and vegetable chips; however, these do not stick around very long - as you can imagine - and so, pattern play with edibles does not last.

Recognizing patterns does not have to include special equipment.  Ezra enjoys sorting socks, which I also line up to create patterns that he imitates by placing sock mates below my array of mismatched socks. When we hike, Joey collects acorns, small rocks, and autumn leaves, which we arrange in patterns, too. 

Regardless of age, patterns and sequences are a great tool at any age. These tools translate well into early reading strategies, and compliment learning skills such as memorization.

How does your little one enjoy patterns while playing? Is there a favorite pattern-based activity or game that you enjoy (of course, our votes would be those like Simon, Cryptoquips, and even the chaotic patterning of Twister). What materials do you use for patterns?

The allure of shadow

Shadows are fascinating! I still recall the first time Joey and then Ezra discovered the play of shadow and light on the floor - they were mesmerized. Children's books, such as "Bear Shadow" by Frank Asch and a segment from Ezra Jack Keats' "Whistle for Willie," display imaginative play with one's shadow at its best (although, I don't think I will give my little boys nails and a hammer for unguided play any time soon).

Recently, we explored the shadow in another way. Since we do not own a television, but are fortunate enough to own a projector, we used the latter technology to simulate the sun's rays in a dark room. Joey and Ezra grabbed object after object, put them in the blue light's way, and watched the resulting shadows as they danced across the wall. Some objects were transparent or translucent, like a water glass, and seemed to sparkle even on the screen. Other objects were opaque, blocking the light and casting black forms, like Joey and the trumpet. With each ebony-etched pattern, we oohed and aahed.

Although my boys are too young to understand certain concepts, like Shadow Blister Effect or Rayleigh scattering, as well as analyzing the proportionality of the cotangent of the sun's elevation angle and the length of a shadow, these are concepts they can learn one day. And, it will all begin with the childlike delight at flashing shadows across a screen.

Simple shapes formulate fun learning!

Joey & Ezra, grueling away, hard at work in their homeschool room.

The boys, bleary-eyed and frizzle-headed, wander to the kitchen every morning with a happy "good morning" and warm hug. Even before we eat breakfast, they are asking what we are going to do today. Sometimes, I'll place something on the table to give them a hint for what to expect - like an assortment of items that start with a certain letter or a game that they will learn or a gazetteer which symbolizes a hike for the day; other times, I will actually fashion their breakfast into the clue (like pancakes made in myriad shapes or whipping up some delicious egg-and-bread bird nests).

Recently, while Joey was creating patterns with some of his shaping toys (anticipate an upcoming blog topic), I gave Ezra some miniature shape-cutters to use in creating stars and hearts out of his apple slices. Since Ezra loves food, this was a perfect activity to keep his interest, to help with developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and to encourage imaginative play.  It is also highly adaptable!  

Any sized cookie cutters and a wide assortment of food material can be used for this activity: try bread or cheese, other fruits or thinly-sliced vegetables, luncheon meat, etc.  Use this for breakfast, snack time, lunch, or even dinner.  If you do not have miniature shape-cutters, use a blunt knife to make basic squares, triangles, rectangles, etc.

Great versatility exists, too, in how the shapes are used for learning. At the most basic level, Ezra learned the names of shapes he did not know before and showed his understanding of naming the shapes he did know. For Joey, I made a pattern line of shapes and asked him to add the next one to the chain. For example, following a star, a star, a circle, a star, a star, a circle, he would thoughtfully position a star-shaped apple chunk. Older children can create an elaborate pattern or you could create a pattern, have the child study it for one minute, and then mix up the shapes and ask the child to recreate it.  The ideas are endless!

So, grab some shape-cutters, a delectable medium, and have some fun fashioning home learning.  

Comment on how you use shapes and how this inspires other ideas!  For example, Joey was so enamored with shapes and patterns that he used bits of lunch to form the letters of his name.  (I did help him with the E.)