Counting- II

I’m a little late posting today- I had a busy weekend. We all struggle with time sometimes- moments when time is just not on our side. We get “out of sync,” cranky, and a little bit mixed up until we can regain our “rhythm” once again. As adults, this could be a struggle to accomplish all that we set out to do at work- as well as at home. As little ones, this could be our sleep cycle, our need for sustenance- and even those young minds have goals they’d like to accomplish, getting a little out of sorts when/if they run out of time. 

As busy people, this is our lot, but there are ways to cope with this for sure. I believe this begins with establishing natural rhythms- day/night, meal times, etc- and with experiencing music as a reflection of those rhythms. If we feel “out of sync,” a way to quickly get back “in sync,” is surely with music, a reflection of balanced time. 

This is kind of a philosophical way to start this blog about counting songs, but it really makes sense to me at times like this how much music can help us hold on to balance and stay anchored within time, instead of feeling set adrift in our more chaotic moments. Here are some simple counting songs you can try with your little one (shown as videos because that it probably the best way to learn them). What is interesting about the first of these songs is that they also involve a bit of a problem- the ducks go away, but then they come back- and all is right again. Who knows, maybe songs like this will be a foundation for your little one's future ability to regain order in their lives- as well as knowing how to count to 5?

5 Little Ducks-

5 Green and Speckled Frogs-

These are just two of these types of songs. There are many, many more- not all of which you can find online (as of now). Like I said last week, number/time songs are a big topic, and I will be writing more about them over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

Counting- I

Anyone else feel a little tired after the first week of school? This is understandable- it's a big transition with a lot to consider. As a teacher, I learned about my new students, learned how to best meet their needs. As a parent, I talked with my son to see how his day was, and tried to assess if he was transitioning well- and this process will continue. For early childhood education, the goal is often to meet the child where they are developmentally and to help them acquire skills in a way they can manage. This requires knowing each child and how to best help them- I believe this is a goal to which all who are involved in education can aspire.

This week I said I would talk a bit about numbers. If you are familiar with my children's music, you know I enjoy a bit of word play involving numbers. From my first album- "If one and one is two, I'll be there with you- If one and two is three, you'll be there with me." From my second album- "I am 1-2-3, going on a million, I'm a million moments going by- I am 4, 5, 6, 7 and a billion, I'm just working out the reason why."

Learning numbers as a young child is an important skill- fortunately there are a lot of ways to approach the skill in ways that are both hands on and a bit more conceptual. Here are some ways to help your child learn to count and use numerical concepts such as time.

Hands on learning-literally!- Using our fingers to count is a powerful way for young minds to associate numbers with quantities- 2 hands, 5 fingers on each hand, and 10 fingers. However, one of the best counting activities I have seen for young children is a Montessori style matching the number to the same amount of small objects (see below). Picking up small objects and counting them develops a one-to-one correspondence of numbers to objects. Ask children to "touch one, count one," and your child will soon learn to be intentional and concrete when counting.

Time concepts- Learning about time can be tricky for youngsters. We can't really see time, even if we use clocks and calendars. Birthdays definitely help with learning that we measure time in years- I would suggest that music can also help demonstrate how time can be measured. Rhythmic patterns demonstrate ratios and mathematical patterns long before children will study fractions and sequences, however, being exposed to music at a young age is much like being exposed to language. Children will be able to speak this "language" their whole lives. In addition, using music to learn about time makes it hands on learning- just think about counting to 4 as you hit a drum to the beat. This can often make the concept of time more easily acquired for little ones.

There are a lot of good songs for little ones to help memorize time concepts like days of the week, etc. So much in fact they will be the subjects of  future blogs. We'll start with finger plays that use five fingers when I post next week. Stay tuned!

Learning to Read

Well, it’s back to school for me and my son tomorrow. Last week, I said I would write about creative ways to help your little one learn to read. I will keep that promise, although make an shorter post so I can get back to making sure all my ducks are in a row for tomorrow. Here are some tips on how to have a language rich environment to encourage early literacy.

Letters everywhere- Letter magnets, letters for the bathtub, letters on blocks, letters on puzzles- there are lots of ways to include letters in your child’s play area. I remember my son had a gizmo that sang a song and said the sound the the letter made. You can also use the letters when you play with your child and sing the song yourself. (The sound will be more clear that way).

Read every day- Find a time- bedtime, after school- to read with your child. Interact with your child, and talk about the book your are reading as well. Get a little silly- find books in which your child is interested. The more fun you have, the more your child will want to read.

Expose your child to media that celebrates reading- For my generation, it was Reading Rainbow. Nowadays it might be Super Why or Word World. There are plentiful choices here- do a little digging and you’ll be sure to find something you both enjoy.

Beginner readers- I highly recommend Bob Books for those little ones who are making some headway in recognizing letter sounds. There are different sets, and if you use them in order, careful to only move to the next book once your child has mastered the book they are on, your child will learn how to read.

I haven’t done this much up until now, but I’m going to go ahead and plug my own work. (This makes two weeks in a row of doing this). Here’s my new video about learning to read and the joy of reading- aptly based on my experience teaching my son to read. Hope you like it! Tune in next week for more tips on teaching early childhood skills- how about numbers? 

Back to School "Inside Out"

Today, I'll discuss the back to school process from the "Inside Out"- the reference to the Disney/Pixar movie being intentional. As I try to give you some insight on how to partner with teachers this year to get your school year off to a good start, I'll also incorporate links to articles and some of the responses I got from teachers on social media when I asked what they did to help families who might be having a hard time with the transition.

What I loved about "Inside Out" was that it made tangible our emotions- made them cute animated characters in fact- and it showed the important parts they played in the girl's transition to a new school. Not only that, it showed how all of our feelings have value, even ones that are sometimes more difficult to process- like sadness and anxiety. Acknowledging those feelings can be the first step we need to take to process a difficult situation. 

For young children, those difficult feelings can arise upon separation from a parent. This separation anxiety is normal for young children. Little ones' brains are still developing, and regulating their emotions is not something they are necessarily able to do well yet. Part of their development includes learning to deal with separation- trusting the new adult taking care of them, trusting that a parent will return, learning that the feelings they have are ok, learning how to calm down.  

On my son's first day of preschool, he cried. The second day, he cried. By the second week, he finally started to calm down. I followed his teacher's advice to say my goodbyes, reassured him that I would be back, and then let them handle the situation- which was hard to do because I was working in the same building and could hear my son's loud crying from pretty much anywhere. It helped me that I knew and trusted his teacher as a coworker- but that isn't usually the case for families. 

Visiting the school with your young ones before the first day of school is a good way for both of you to warm up to the idea and establish trust. Most schools have "Back to School" nights, but if not, most schools would be happy to accommodate an advance visit or even a "trial" day before the first day of school. Getting through that first week can be tough- but give it a week or so. Expect to have an adjustment period. Make sure to check in with your child's teacher, especially after some time has passed, if your are still concerned with the anxiety. Here are more tips from PBS Parent to help you both adjust.

Early childhood educators are generally well versed in helping families with separation anxiety. I take my hat off to preschool teachers who may need to help several crying children (and parents) adjust. Most of the response I got when I talked to early childhood teachers online involved the importance of communicating with and reassuring parents. Establishing a quick, routine goodbye and using transitional objects were also suggested. (My son had a DIY board book filled with pictures of people who loved him that he kept in his cubby.) Here's a link to more ways teachers can help with separation anxiety.

I don't always do this on my blog, but I want to tell you about a couple of resources I have for parents experiencing separation anxiety with their children. One is a book you can color together- your child could then use it as a transitional object. It has a place for pictures of the two of you together at the end. You can listen to the music that goes with the book here. Another is my song "Heart, Pencils, and Crayons." This might be a good one if you are a parent that likes to leave love notes in lunch boxes. You could use the song to help start a conversation about how separation will occur, but that the notes will help remind your child that you love them and will be back to pick them up. You might even talk about how they could draw pictures or write notes for you in school. Check out the video of the song below. See you next week for my suggestions on creative ways to help your child learn to read!

Self Care for Parents of Young Children

I'm writing this article today as an advocate for new parents. I know how hard it can be- I became a single parent when my son was just about a year old, and I struggled with health issues throughout his early childhood. However, I persevered and got through it with a little help from my friends, family, and doctors- all of whom helped me care for myself as much as I did my son.

I know that self care can be elusive in the midst of caring for a young child. Being a parent can be very demanding of our time, energy, and patience, and can seem like there is no time left for anything else. It's pretty crucial that we do take some time for self care, however- we're able to do much more as parents if we aren't constantly fatigued or sick. Here are some ways to incorporate self care in your busy schedule.

Early Bedtime- For them, not you. My son was in bed from 7-8pm each day. (He also woke up at 7am each day). Having that time at night to myself was really what kept me going the most. This was the time I had to catch up on the things I wasn't able to get to during the day, as well as to relax a bit- finally.

Exercise- This is something you can definitely incorporate during the day- I used to walk or hike with my son (in a stroller or carrier- or with him toddling along) daily. Another way you could do this is find a gym with a childcare room. This might be difficult if your young one gets upset separating from you, however.

Find your community- If you can help it at all, try not to be alone with your kids all day. Everyone needs help from time to time, whether it's with childcare or with moral support- both are pretty important. Social media can be good for moral support, but it really can't take the place of spending time with other people in person. There are lots of ways to do this- for us it was playgroups, moving closer to family, being a part of an early childhood education community, and getting out to activities and places for young ones as much as possible.

Find a confidant- Please also don't hesitate to set up counseling for yourself- no matter what your income level is, there is always a trained professional to talk to. This can often be a better option than talking to family or friends. It's just the way our brain works- it often takes an objective person to be the sounding board we need to move past what may be in the way of our ability to be at peace with ourselves. It goes without saying that we are then able to pass on that inner peace to our children. Call 211 or visit 211.org to find counseling services near you.

Do what you enjoy- Take that precious time you have to yourself to treat yourself. Nuff said!

Hopefully this article, if not offering you new information, will inspire you to be sure to incorporate some time for self care daily. I need to remind myself of that as well! Here in Maryland, school starts the day after Labor Day. Even though my son will be turning 10 this year, our summers have been much like that time when he was very young and we spent every day together. However, I'll be going back to school soon to get ready for a new year, and so will my son! Next week, I'll give you a little insight about being a teacher and how you can work with your child's teacher to make the most of their time at school this year. Stay tuned!

The Dog Days of Summer- With Young Children

You've spent lots of quality time with your youngster this summer already- lots and lots- and there are still three weeks until school starts again? Welcome to the dog days of summer with a young child! Today's article is about what to do when it seems like your kiddos are too hot, bored, or (insert descriptor here), to make it through the day as happy campers. You both need to stay occupied, a change of scene, or perhaps both, to make it through the next few weeks. Here are a few things to try!

Take a hike- The forest has a magic way of calming down even the most restless of us- there is now even a big thing about tree therapy going around the internet. It has worked like a charm for my son and I- we go in a bit cranky, then we leave relaxed. Make sure to check the difficulty of the trails you use before you go- keep it to easy if you are a beginner or will be baby wearing.

Think cool- This may seem like a no brainer, but we've all been stuck in heat for too long (even if it was our own idea) and suffered the effects. A hot toddler at the zoo, amusement park, or even the beach- is a sad toddler. Dog days are a good time to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day (the afternoon) or if the air quality is bad (code red). It might seem cliche, but let's just go over all our "cool" options- air conditioning, ice cream, popsicles, lemonade, water play. You get the idea.

Find your Zen- Being inside is the cool choice in the dog days, but the same old indoor activities can be difficult for young children who need constant monitoring. Be prepared- keep your home stocked with toys, books, art supplies, calming music, and movies. Come up with a list of places to go, friends/family to visit, and things you could do and stick to it. This is your mantra. When in doubt-

Go for a Drive- If you haven't tried this mom trick before, this may be the time to start! The drive itself can help calm the kids down- then you are suddenly somewhere different, and that could play to your favor as well. Even if you just go to the grocery store, on a dog day it could be the highlight of the day if you leave with ice cream.

One last recommendation for the dog days is to let yourself be aimless for a little while. No need to make an agenda or to try to squeeze in one more trip for the summer. Focus on getting through the day relatively unscathed. Definitely make time for self care as well- more on that topic next week! Stay tuned!

Early Language Learning- Part III

Today I'll conclude my writing about learning language, especially a second language, in early childhood. I've already written about how we learn language in our early years, and some research about the benefits of learning a second language (see my two previous blog entries to read up on those topics), so today I'll recommend resources and programs to accomplish this goal with your tot.  I'll give a brief summary- each title links to more information as well.

Berlitz- This is the company that publishes all those second language dictionaries you had to buy for your foreign language classes. They are an older company, and offer conversational classes in multiple languages nationally for kids and teens.

Little Pim- This early language program is designed with your little ones in mind. It covers multiple languages, including ESL- the only drawback I see is that it's all video based with some supplementary lessons and activities.

Muzzy- Parents might remember Muzzy from learning a second language in school. After checking out the website, I was impressed with the extensive lesson plans and learning materials you could get to supplement this video-based series. Muzzy also emphasizes and includes learning songs.

Language Tree- This program is the last video based program I'll recommend looking into. The types of videos include live action and nature (as opposed to animated), so that may be a plus depending on what you are looking for.

Private Lessons- If your family is serious about learning a second language, you may want to invest in a private teacher for you and your little one. Similar to hiring someone to help you learn to play a musical instrument, you'll get individualized attention and a live person to talk to. You may end up using the programs listed above (such as Muzzy), except with someone already fluent in the language, someone who could help you accomplish the supplemental lessons.

Music based programs- If you've been following my blog, you know that I stress the benefits of music in early childhood education often. I have quite a list of musician friends and acquaintances who have online content, and perform or teach as well. Please check them out!
Canta y Baila Conmigo
Cantale a Tu Bebe
Moozica
Moo Moo Muzica
Musica Lingua
Mi Amigo Hamlet
123 Andres
Mister G
Alina Celeste
Jose Luiz Orozco
Nathalia
Sonia De Los Santos
Flor Bromley
Mama Lisa

Remember learning a language often requires immersion. Young children learn language in fun, social settings- and it doesn't happen overnight. A combination of practice, persistence, and continuity should lead to lasting results. Good luck, and have fun! For next week's blog, I'll write about what you can do with your kids in the late summer. Any parent of children who don't attend a school program during the summer will know what I'm talking about. What can you do after you've already done the usual summer things (vacation, camp, day trips)- to keep your children busy (and yourself sane)? My recommendations will all be low cost to free as well. Stay tuned!