There’s always a lot of discussion amongst educators and parents about scaffolding — giving kids just exactly the right amount of challenge to allow them to stretch without overwhelming or frustrating them. It’s a pretty difficult balance to strike, and
Last week, we went to Art Camp. Every year for the past twelve years, my family has descended en masse on my aunt’s cottage on Lake Huron. Here we do normal family vacation things — like enjoy big meals together
Before I begin, let me state for the record that I neither advocate for nor tacitly endorse the lying to or manipulating of children. I firmly believe this is a violation of their personal dignity, and that parents who do
The more independent my preschooler becomes, the more I actively try to step out of his way and let him spread his wings. He has a naturally cautious temperament and is not one to dive into new situations. This summer,
Happy 4th of July! I hope you and your children are spending some time running free today! My husband and I recently took our boys to Olympic National Park, and I had the immense joy of watching them play outside
Several months ago, I began doing some research on Maria Montessori’s methods. Her writing is rich with insights, not simply about teaching, but about the ways we think about and interact with our children. I have made a few deliberate
Good. Maybe when he grows up, he’ll have a job instead of sitting in your basement eating bonbons and playing Xbox. Keep up the good work!! In all seriousness, I have taught for twelve years and had countless conversations with
Something about three seems to making my older son grow at light speed. Since he hit his birthday in December, it’s been non-stop new skills and ever-increasing independence. This week alone, he graduated from a mattress on the floor to
In March, I wrote about how my three-year-old son has started taking photos around the house. Â This has become a regular part of our routine, so I wanted to share some more shots he has taken. Â Seeing our everyday life
Charlotte Mason educators often refer to the importance of “mother’s education,” a phrase that typically encompasses a mother’s training in child-rearing, her study of child psychology and educational best practices, and for many moms, her personal spiritual growth through Bible