Notes, News and Nuggets from Rose's House

My New Blog

2011-01-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

The new blog is up and running.Please check out Embracing Life and I hope you enjoy it.

New Blog

2010-12-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

After thinking about it for some time I've decided to set up a new blog. The new blog will combine several of my interests and also include the same type of content that I have been putting here. I am hoping to have the new blog up and running by Jan. 1, 2011. When it is I will post the link here.

Childcare Photo Journal Wednesday December 1 and Thursday December 2, 2010

2010-12-02T18:55:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal Tuesday November 30, 2010

2010-11-30T17:37:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal Monday November 29, 2010

2010-11-29T17:40:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal Monday November 22, 2010

2010-11-22T18:01:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal Thursday November 18, 2010

2010-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal Wednesday November 11, 2010

2010-11-17T18:17:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal Tuesday November 16, 2010

2010-11-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal

2010-11-15T18:49:00.000-08:00

Childcare Photo Journal Wednesday October 27, 2010

2010-10-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

Childcare Photo Journal Tuesday October 26, 2010

2010-10-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Childcare Photo Journal Monday October 25, 2010

2010-10-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

Childcare Photo Journal Thursday October 21, 2010

2010-10-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Childcare Photo Journal Wednesday October 20, 2010

2010-10-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Childcare Photo Journal Tuesday October 19, 2010

2010-10-19T18:10:00.000-07:00

Childcare Photo Journal Monday October 18, 2010

2010-10-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

Playdough

2010-10-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

In this post I wrote that I would be posting some more details on some of our activities and the value they have for our children. It has actually taken me longer to get to writing these posts than I had hoped but I'm finally getting there.

Playdough is a big favorite with many of the kids. Since finding this wonderful playdough recipe I make our playdough. This playdough has the best texture and I nearly always add some vanilla to it to make it smell as good as it feels.

Playdough has so much value in so many ways. It is great for developing small and large muscles as well as for developing eye-hand coordination. When we play with playdough we always talk about the colors as well as the shapes that are made. A lot of imagination is used as the kids build make believe creatures, serve playdough brownies and burgers and many other pretend activities. As we talk about what we are doing the kids are building communication and vocabulary skills.

Playdough has value for many of the learning styles including

Bodily-kinesthetic- Movement and doing.
Interpersonal - Interaction with other: There is often a lot of interaction among the children as they talk about the things they are making and the fun they are having with the playdough.
Verbal-Linguistic - As colors and shapes are identified, ideas are shared, and stories are played out there is a strong verbal-linguistic component.
Intrapersonal - Although playing with playdough is often a very sociable activity, there is also the chance to play quietly while immersed in thought. The sensory component is often a great companion to thought and comtemplation.
Visual-Spatial - A lot of visual-spatial learning takes place while manipulating and forming a variety of things with playdough.

Photo Journal Tuesday October 12, 2010

2010-10-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

Photo Journal Monday October 11, 2010

2010-10-11T17:16:00.000-07:00

Interesting Reading

2010-10-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share some interesting links to some articles I have read recently. Just because I link to something here does not mean that I agree with everything but simply that I think it is interesting, thought provoking reading. Enjoy!

Table Talk Cards - Using Dinner as Opportunity to Connect with Kids

Strengths: Build the Courage to Dream from Family Life Blog

Love and Logic Parenting Tip: Getting the RESPECT You Deserve from My Homemade Happiness

5 Things to Make Your Marriage Last Forever from My Super-Charged Life

Photo Journal Monday October 4, 2010

2010-10-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

Creative Learning Environments and Learning Styles

2010-10-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year I completed an online class called Creative Learning Enviroments. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun with this class.

One thing, in particular, that was reinforced for me is the fact that children learn in many different ways. Learning is not just about sitting at a table coloring pictures and completing worksheets, as popular as this may be. And although reading and listening to stories is incredibly important there are many other ways to learn as well.

There are a number of theories and models that have been developed to describe how children (and adults) learn. The one that makes the most sense to me and that I use as a guideline in planning play activities and learning opportunities is Gardner's Categories of Intelligence.

Gardner describes eight categories of intelligence. They are as follows.

1. Bodily-Kinesthetic - Movement and doing

2. Interpersonal - Interaction with others.

3. Verbal - Linguistic - Words (spoken or written)

4. Logical-Mathematical - Logic, abstractions, inductive/deductive reasoning and numbers

5. Naturalistic - Nature, nurturing,and relating information to one's natural surroundings.

6. Intrapersonal - Introspective and self-reflective capacities

7. Visual - Spatial - Vision and spacial judgement

8. Musical - Rhythm, music and hearing

This list of ways of learning have been very helpful to me in preparing our daily activities. I try each day to provide opportunities for each of our individual learners.

In the upcoming weeks I will be describing in more detail many of our activities and the value they have for our children.

Photo Journal Thursday September 30, 2010

2010-09-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

Photo Journal Wednesday September 29, 2010

2010-09-29T17:43:00.000-07:00