Love and Learning at Home

So much of what we know of love - we learn at home. ~ Anonymous

Where at home do your children learn the best?  Do you set up an area for homework?  Do you set up a corner for the computer?  Is the only place they can go wild outside?  We are all guilty of thinking in 'where does this look best in a room'.  I am extremely guilty of making use of all corners of the room.
I was reading a couple of other blogs; Kindergarten's 3 R's and Teacher Tom - both have posted great blogs about structure and our children.  I got to thinking about language and structure, which sent me into thinking language learning and love in the home, or anywhere for that matter.
When I first step into a home to do therapy I always ask 'Where would you like to work?' Usually the parent points to the table.  Being very cordial, I gladly go there and set up activities, but as the session goes on we move from the table to other areas of the house.  I want the parent to see, and the child, that learning language can happen anywhere in the home.  As I get to know the family and child, I teach that learning language can happen anywhere period!  Think about it, once again, isn't some of the best activities you've done with family, and really loved it, happening within the activity itself.  When you think back on some of the things you've done with your child - didn't they happen within the activity and not just the place.  It may have been making them smile while cooking in the kitchen,  or outside discussing those 'little buggies' while cleaning up the yard.  When the child needs more input for language, it happens so much more and perhaps even easier, when the activity is not structured at a table. When you are working on language with a child, vocabulary building and structuring of sentences can come more fluently when there is teaching/learning - let's go do it - and discussing afterwards. Just because a child has a deficit in language no matter what the reason, doesn't mean love and learning can't happen at home.  Which brings about another thought. . .

Tell me and I will know, Show me and I will understand; Involve me and I will comprehend. ~Chinese proverb

Being and Becoming

'Life is not having and getting, but being and becoming' ~Matthew Arnold

If the writing becomes here and there and wandering around please forgive me, still learning to curb the ideas, but I have seen and done so many good things today and/or this week!  Lots of ideas running through my head - hither and yon.  It all may come out in the writing!  As the posts grow you may see a recurring theme - that one area may never change.  I love quotes, especially when it has been a fun day and I see the reason for the quote.  The second recurring theme,  may be the idea of having fun.  Things just seem to go a whole lot better if fun can remain in the day.

I saw so many children being themselves today and so many parents becoming a part of their child's development today - without any expectation of having or getting.  Child development is such a wonder in itself and those kiddos needing that extra little 'umph' to get them where they are suppose to be is even better when you see parents jump right in there to make it happen.  Language and speech development in the homes can be sooooo much fun - no matter what the age.  I worked with a pair of 10 and 11 year olds with their moms today - in the kitchen!  Reading directions and deciphering language can be such a challenge to those children delayed in this area.  Speech can be a challenge with those higher level words within directions for anything!  But parents, if you do it right, it can be so much fun to make something together and have fun through the language.  Parents, whatever you do, use the OWL acronym running through your head. Observe, Wait, and Listen before you jump in. . . and of course, sabotage!  Whatever your child says, have fun with it and then correct it.  One of the children told his mom 'You put cups of glass.'  Mom went and got cups and put glasses in them. . . . eyeglasses, water glasses, and a broken glass - they had a good laugh and then mom fixed the language.
It may take longer to get what you need - but who says you can't work up an appetite.  It was a moment of being and becoming - not having and getting.

I have also spent time perusing the blogs and really having fun at reading and being amazed at all the talented and outspoken people out there.  I have posted the blogs I cover or watch on a constant basis, but this week I have taken the time to really look into different areas and writers.  Wow! (again)
Most people that blog do so for 'being and becoming' something outstanding, or 'being and becoming' something different, or 'being and becoming' something unique.  From what I can tell - there is no 'having or getting' in most blogs; unless they want to have or get feedback or another perspective.
I can't wait to see what becomes of this blog - I insist on getting better.  I can't wait for this blog to become something better - transform into a give and take of information.  Definitely 'a life of being and becoming.'

Books and Bloggers

I read this quote today; "Except a living man there is nothing more wonderful than a book!  A message to us from . . . human souls we never saw.  And yet these arouse us, terrify us, teach us, comfort us, open their hearts to us as brothers."
- Charles Kingsley

and then I thought, will people feel that way about bloggers some day?  Hmmmm, I have been curious about different blog sites, learned some things from different blog sites, and comforted by a picture or thought from a blog site. . . and yet, there are also those which make me think . . . I didn't want to know or see that! Hmmmmm