I like lichen

If you walk in the conifer desert of Colorado it is easy to find lichen on rocks. Lichen is plant that lives in a symbotic realtionship of fungi and algae. Find a small magnifying glass to wear around your neck and carefully look at the lichen next time you take a nature walk. Lichen is almost everywhere if you know where to look and walk. Lichen is a sign of a clean environment.

Gifted Children

Gifted Children

Whether you think environment causes a child to be gifted or it is his or her genetic inheritance, here are some things that parents do who have gifted children.

1. The parents teach their children to do tasks for themselves.
2. The parents involve their children in many activities that reflect their culture and society. Music, art, or religion adds a variation that may not be always included in home life.
3. The parents provide many different learning activities.
4. The parents involve their children in problem solving activities.
5. The parents provide various outings and excursions outside the home- Trips to a historic site, the library, a farm, nature center, art and science museums.
6. Parents read to their child and have many books around the house.
7. The parents value education and learning.
8. The parents talk to their children. Children who do well in school have parents who talk to them at least 3 minutes a day!
9. Parents use rich and descriptive words with their children.
10. Parents of gifted children “salute” their children. They “stop”-“accept”-“listen”-“understand”-“talk” to-“enjoy” their gifted children (Gordon, 70)
11. The parents listen to and observe their children and respond to their needs.

Montessori Co-op

I had the privilege to work in a Montessori school where the parents were a large part of the classroom. We did not
find that they disturbed the classroom activities or students at all. In fact the children would usually ignore their parents after
their first visit.

The parents were such a positive influence on the children and the teachers! The children were actually more independent and capable after a year of parents helping in the class room. Every child could tie his shoes, zip, clean, cook, write, cut, and take good care of himself and participate in his environment.

We had training sessions for the parents and their enthusiasm was “catching.” They helped with preparing materials, tutored children with special needs, presented the equipment and practical life materials: they were so capable. Also, we had the parents fill out a talent form. We had wonderful musicians present little performances, artists prepare a special
art project for the children to do and a scientist do a fun science experiment or demonstration.

This was pre- kindergarten and kindergarten level though. I don’t know what is done in elementary levels. Also, most parents told us that they did the Montessori approach with activities at home as well. They also made a prepared environment for them.

Most importantly, we did not have discipline problems with these children, they were well adjusted and independent,
they were very motivated & joyful to learn and explore. I really attribute this to the parents’ involvement at school. If schools and homes (parents and teachers) work together the effects are dynamic.

Gross Science at Home

I just came from the garage where I have 3 layers of worms and kitchen vegetable matter composting in my worm factory. I’ve never seen so many worms! I won’t let them in my laundry room anymore, not since they escaped all over the house! I didn’t know worms could move so fast and far.

I used to have several homemade ant farms on my kitchen dresser. Instead of watching television during a meal, we watched the ants. My son used flexible platic tubes to let the ants go from one ant city to another. We also learned that different species of ants don’t like each other and will fight over territory.

I have three spider friends who live near the kitchen faucet. I don’t have the heart to send them outdoors during the winter months, so we just live with each other.

My friends and family think I am gross, but life is too interesting to get “grossed out.” Insects, spiders and worms are fascinating.

Autism and healing power of music

Music has been found to help persons with autism. It can help break the pattern of isolation of self. Also, it has been found to encourage communication and language comprehension. By developing the sense of hearing, music in turn helps develop other tactile experiences.