Monday, November 28, 2011
Borrowed Words. Sometimes they are JUST what you need
Sometimes, someone else's words are a better fit than your own. Today is one of those days. I woke up and read a blog of a friend of mine. She is the mother of a former patient named Brenden (and for the record I have her blessing to share all this information). Anyway, Brenden is a bright, funny, sweet boy who happens to have Spinabifida. On the day he was born, he visited three different hospitals and his worried mom followed behind him. Around that time, I was very busy with my work as a physical therapist and wasn't taking new patients but I got a call from a mutual friend of mine and Brenden's mom Michelle who shared his story and told me I WOULD be taking him on as a patient.
You know how sometimes you think you just don't have time for one more appointment, not another "to-do" on your list, not another responsibility, and it turns out to be just what you yourself needed? That was Brenden for me. That little boy and his family, like many of my patients are, were a gift, a lesson, a blessing in my life. So today, I share with you, his amazing mother's words.
Beyond the job of being a mom, she has found ways to help many other families who live with Spinabifida or other special needs. She even recently ran the NYC marathon to raise awareness and to honor Brenden's hard work. Lacy & I know we are fortunate to meet incredible people along the way in our jobs and I'm honored to share Michelle and Brenden with you. She is "paying it forward" big time and inspires me to find ways to do the same. I hope she does the same for you.
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| Meet Brenden. He loves cookies! |
From her blog found at: http://jmbdugan.blogspot.com/
Sunday, November 27, 2011
I recently received an email from a friend from college....someone I hadn't talked to, well, since college. No reason really for us not talking, we just each went our own way. She's an Occupational Therapist and recently met a family who just found out their baby will be born in March with Spina Bifida. This young couple is so broken over the diagnosis, has no family close for support, and really don't know what to do. My friend asked a simple thing of me: Would I mind writing them a letter, telling them of our journey, where we've been, how far we've come, and any other words of wisdom I wanted to share with them. As I sat down to write this letter, I was at a loss for what to say. There was so much I wanted to say, so much they needed to hear, but I didn't really know how to start. I didn't want to say, "I'm sorry." Because I know how much I hate people saying that to me. I hate when people look at Brenden walking with a walker, and say, "Oh honey, I'm so sorry he has to use that." I'm not sorry, I'm glad that such a thing exists to allow him to walk. I'm glad that he has gained the strength in his legs to be able to use a walker. Moving on....so I emailed my friend telling her I wasn't sure what to write. Her response, was simple, "What does having a child with special needs mean to you?" And those 11 words were all I needed.
The hours following Brenden's birth were gut wrenchingly painful. I experienced every emotion possible. I cried. I cried some more. I told my dad there was no way I could do "this." Not realizing then what "this" was. I was thrown into an unfamiliar world of neurosurgeons, urologists, OT's, PT's, Speech Therapists, and specialists I had never heard of. No one asked if I wanted to be in this place. And back then, I didn't want to be. But God had chosen me, and as much as I hated every minute of it, the UVA NICU was where I needed to be. It was where I held my baby boy for the first time. It was where I heard his sweet cry for the first time. It was where I realized just how lucky I was because I knew he would make it, when some of the babies around him would not. It was in that NICU that I went from being a scared young woman to being a strong mom. It was in those moments of not knowing what the future would hold, that I realized I had no choice but to dry my eyes, pick myself up, and do what I needed to do. I had a choice: sit around and wallow in the sadness that my child may never walk, talk, or have a "normal" life, or make sure I gave every ounce of my being to make sure he had a better than "normal" life.
Having a child with special needs is no easy task. But it's the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced. It has taught my patience (though I could use some more). It has taught me that nothing in life should be taken for granted. It has made me realize how much the little things really do matter, from small milestones to the big ones, each moment is to be treasured. It has allowed me to see things for what they are really worth. Having a child with special needs is not a burden, despite what so many people think. I have learned that the world is ignorant when it comes to differently abled children, but it's my job to educate others, so that someday, it won't matter that a child needs to use a walker or wheelchair.
I have found strength I never knew I had. Whether it's having the strength to speak up with I disagree with a doctor or the school system, or finding the strength to put my child into the arms of a surgeon, Brenden has made me strong. He makes me want to make a difference in this world, not only for those living with SB, but for every person who is differently abled. I want doctors to realize that a child is not defined by a diagnosis.
Spina Bifida is not an excuse in our household. We don't allow it to be. I don't pity Brenden, and it drives me nuts when other people do. He can and will go far in life. Nicole, Brenden's PT with Birth to Three, told me several times to never lower my expectations of him. And I don't. He's expected to do the same things as Madelynn: put his dirty clothes in the hamper, pick up his toys, put his coat away when he takes it off, etc, etc, etc.
To sum it up, being the parent of a child with special needs is a pretty special thing. It's not always peaches and cream, there are days that I wish I could make it disappear. But for every day like that, there are twice as many days that make me thankful to be in this place, thankful that God saw fit to trust me with Brenden.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Teaching your kids to give
Remember that old saying, "Tis better to give than to receive"? Well about this time every year, amongst all the gift wish lists and crazy shopping, I try to remind my children (and myself) of this life lesson. It's not easy, nor am I always successful with my moral lesson, but I try! Below we listed some websites and organizations that we have donated to in the past. All of them are related to giving to other children. I think if we expect our kids to understand the importance of giving to their neighbor, we need to choose a charity or organization that serves children. Then it will be easier for your child to empathize with the child in need. So as you are finalizing your holiday budget, considering cutting a few corners so that you can include a donation to someone in need. Not only will you be teaching your child about charity, you will feel good about yourself too!
Project Night Night - A wonderful non profit organization that provides tote bags for you to stuff with a stuffed animal, blanket and book. The tote bags are then distributed to homeless and domestic violence shelters to children in need. Most of our children enjoy a story before bedtime and snuggle a "lovie" as they drift off into dreamland. How sad it is to think that some children are so quickly removed from their home and moved into shelters that they may not have time to grab any of their belongings. These night night packages hope to bring sweet dreams to all children in need. www.projectnightnight.org
World Vision - Their slogan is "Building a better world for children"...love it! World Vision offers many ways to support children in need and fight hunger around the world. You can sponsor a child, purchase animals, donate to help provide clean water, and many other donation opportunities. www.worldvision.org
Samartian's Purse - Every year around the holidays Samaritan's Purse sponsors "Operation Christmas Child". By filling a shoebox with small toys and hygiene essentials, you could be giving a child around the world the only Christmas gift they will receive. To help your child better understand the impact of their gift, you can track your shoebox online to find out what country your shoebox is distributed and write a letter to the receiving child in the hopes of hearing back from them. www.samaritanspurse.org
Read to Me - A non profit that distributes care packages to underprivileged new moms in hospitals. Included in the care package is a new book, onesie, tote bag and a special note to mom explaining the importance of sharing the joy of books and reading with their newborn baby. You can make a monetary donation at www.readtomeco.org.
Nuru International: Founded by a WV native and a team of professionals who left high profile employment, Nuru is an innovative non-profit that sees the larger picture: extreme poverty feeds extreme terrorism. Nuru uses a grassroots approach to teach agriculture, leadership skills, education techniques, water and sanitation techniques, and health care techniques to area leaders to foster self-sustaining communities and ultimately ending poverty one community at a time. http://www.nuruinternational.org/
Berkeley County Back Pack Program (or something similar in your community): The Back Pack Program was implemented in order to meet the needs of children when food resources are not available. Their main food source is what they receive at school. This program provides children with healthy and easy to consume foods that can be take home on weekends.Recommended items: Juice boxes,small water bottles, fruit cups, applesauce cups, individual size cereal boxes, granola bars, cheese/peanut crackers, pop tarts, raisins & small microwavable meals. Food that can be easily opened and prepared by a small child. Donations can be coordinated through their Facebook site: BC Back Pack Program
Jessica Rocks for Timmy's Fund: A non-profit that encourages creative fund raising for adults and kids to participate in -- with all funds going to support families whose children are undergoing treatment for cancer. jessicarocks.org
There are so many ways to give. A shut in neighbor. A women's shelter. A soup kitchen. Finding a place to teach our children to care for those around us is not the problem. Finding the time to do it and making it intentional is harder, but the lessons learned through hands on giving are greater than most things we try to teach and are certainly something to be thankful for.
World Vision - Their slogan is "Building a better world for children"...love it! World Vision offers many ways to support children in need and fight hunger around the world. You can sponsor a child, purchase animals, donate to help provide clean water, and many other donation opportunities. www.worldvision.org
Read to Me - A non profit that distributes care packages to underprivileged new moms in hospitals. Included in the care package is a new book, onesie, tote bag and a special note to mom explaining the importance of sharing the joy of books and reading with their newborn baby. You can make a monetary donation at www.readtomeco.org.
Nuru International: Founded by a WV native and a team of professionals who left high profile employment, Nuru is an innovative non-profit that sees the larger picture: extreme poverty feeds extreme terrorism. Nuru uses a grassroots approach to teach agriculture, leadership skills, education techniques, water and sanitation techniques, and health care techniques to area leaders to foster self-sustaining communities and ultimately ending poverty one community at a time. http://www.nuruinternational.org/
Jessica Rocks for Timmy's Fund: A non-profit that encourages creative fund raising for adults and kids to participate in -- with all funds going to support families whose children are undergoing treatment for cancer. jessicarocks.org
There are so many ways to give. A shut in neighbor. A women's shelter. A soup kitchen. Finding a place to teach our children to care for those around us is not the problem. Finding the time to do it and making it intentional is harder, but the lessons learned through hands on giving are greater than most things we try to teach and are certainly something to be thankful for.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Christmas Shopping with a PLAYFUL PURPOSE
As much as I am a "Thanksgiving advocate," it is happening. All around us, Thanksgiving is being skipped over (not to mention poor Veteran's Day!). The stores all seemed decked out with holly by Halloween and I've even heard a few carols. I know Christmas is quickly approaching when I open my mailbox and 4-5 toy catalogs fall out daily. I've paid specific interest to the contents of those catalogs this year. In preparation for 1-2-3 Just Play With Me arriving in January and doing a good bit of research to prepare for an early childhood conference we are speaking at in early 2012, we have read extensively about toys as tools for play and had some great conversations about what is available on the market today. Here's our verdict: It is not an easy task to find a "good toy" in large chain stores. There are some but they are the minority. What defines a "good toy" in our minds? One that can be used for several years in multiple ways. One that is durable, safe, and not overpriced. One that doesn't "do it all" for your child. In a recent article in Parents magazine, the founding director for the Alliance for Childhood, Joan Almon states, "A good toy is 95% child and 5% toy." We couldn't agree more.
So for all you parents who have early holiday shopping giddiness, we challenge you to ask yourself the following questions when standing in that toy aisle:
- How many ways can I think of this toy being used?
- Will this toy promote language and social interaction for my child when playing with it?
-Can I creatively think of ways this toy can be used rather than it's intended purpose?
- Is this toy age appropriate for my child now and will he/she still find it interesting in some way in 6 months to a year?
- Is the toy safe?
Working in the homes of families with small children has many benefits, but one is that I see first hand which toys are played with time and time again and which are pushed to the corner. I often embarrass my husband and kids in the stores around this time of year because when we find ourselves standing next to parents or grandparents in the toy section, I can't help either talking them into a toy or out of another!
The bad news is that you might have to search a bit harder for a great toy on your list for that special child in your life, but the good news is that often the toys that don't "do it all" for your child, are more reasonable. And being creative in your toy shopping can be quite fun.
Here's some suggestions:
- Most children would love a trunk filled with dress up clothing (for boys and girls) from your closet or a thrift shop
- Consider taking the dollars you'd spend on a big toy and instead purchasing an art center for a child. You can pick bins or shelves with baskets of art supplies (some purchased like paints and paper and some saved likes bottle caps or paper towel rolls), or maybe an easel or dry erase or chalkboard for endless hours of creative artistic play
- Search for toys that can be used many ways. When I was a child, my parent's old calculator had to serve as a phone, calculator, computer, cash register, and space ship. We don't need to provide a separate toy for separate functions. Allowing children to translate their knowledge of an object or toy to a different purpose, builds problem solving and creative thinking skills.
- Don't forget about music. I haven't met a kid who doesn't love a harmonica as a gift. They are very reasonable and unique.
- Give the time of you sharing an experience with a child. Tickets to a play or show, a museum, or aquarium alongside a special adult are a lasting treasure.
- Don't forget physical toys. Winter keeps some of us indoors, but remember that kids need to move to learn and to behave! Jump ropes make excellent stocking suffers and can be used in a variety of ways. Every child should have a ball to play with. Hula hoops are fun for toddlers and adults!
- Magic sets, puppet shows, or kid friendly cook books with some cooking supplies are not commonly advertised, but nice choices for cooperative play.
- Dolls and blocks are probably our favorite "bang for your buck" toys because they can be used in so many ways for so many years. Both promote language, social, and motor play and require all kids and no batteries to operate!
- Look beyond the "regular stores." You can often find deals online or unique items in smaller shops.
We wish you a happy shopping season and hope these tips are helpful. You WILL always be your child's favorite toy, so no matter what you choose, don't forget to add your time and your attention on your list of gifts to give that special child in your life!
So for all you parents who have early holiday shopping giddiness, we challenge you to ask yourself the following questions when standing in that toy aisle:
- How many ways can I think of this toy being used?
- Will this toy promote language and social interaction for my child when playing with it?
-Can I creatively think of ways this toy can be used rather than it's intended purpose?
- Is this toy age appropriate for my child now and will he/she still find it interesting in some way in 6 months to a year?
- Is the toy safe?
Working in the homes of families with small children has many benefits, but one is that I see first hand which toys are played with time and time again and which are pushed to the corner. I often embarrass my husband and kids in the stores around this time of year because when we find ourselves standing next to parents or grandparents in the toy section, I can't help either talking them into a toy or out of another!
The bad news is that you might have to search a bit harder for a great toy on your list for that special child in your life, but the good news is that often the toys that don't "do it all" for your child, are more reasonable. And being creative in your toy shopping can be quite fun.
Here's some suggestions:
- Most children would love a trunk filled with dress up clothing (for boys and girls) from your closet or a thrift shop
- Consider taking the dollars you'd spend on a big toy and instead purchasing an art center for a child. You can pick bins or shelves with baskets of art supplies (some purchased like paints and paper and some saved likes bottle caps or paper towel rolls), or maybe an easel or dry erase or chalkboard for endless hours of creative artistic play
- Search for toys that can be used many ways. When I was a child, my parent's old calculator had to serve as a phone, calculator, computer, cash register, and space ship. We don't need to provide a separate toy for separate functions. Allowing children to translate their knowledge of an object or toy to a different purpose, builds problem solving and creative thinking skills.
- Don't forget about music. I haven't met a kid who doesn't love a harmonica as a gift. They are very reasonable and unique.
- Give the time of you sharing an experience with a child. Tickets to a play or show, a museum, or aquarium alongside a special adult are a lasting treasure.
- Don't forget physical toys. Winter keeps some of us indoors, but remember that kids need to move to learn and to behave! Jump ropes make excellent stocking suffers and can be used in a variety of ways. Every child should have a ball to play with. Hula hoops are fun for toddlers and adults!
- Magic sets, puppet shows, or kid friendly cook books with some cooking supplies are not commonly advertised, but nice choices for cooperative play.
- Dolls and blocks are probably our favorite "bang for your buck" toys because they can be used in so many ways for so many years. Both promote language, social, and motor play and require all kids and no batteries to operate!
- Look beyond the "regular stores." You can often find deals online or unique items in smaller shops.
We wish you a happy shopping season and hope these tips are helpful. You WILL always be your child's favorite toy, so no matter what you choose, don't forget to add your time and your attention on your list of gifts to give that special child in your life!
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| This shot of the my daughters' first Christmas together makes me smile! I knew our oldest might put lots of things from the house inside her new shopping cart....I never thought the first would be her baby sister! |
Monday, October 24, 2011
Raising Healthy(er) Eaters!
I’ll be the first to admit I don’t eat the healthiest. I enjoy my junk food, sweets and occasional sodas. But I want to teach my kids differently. I want them to make healthier food choices earlier in life. I also want them to eat what I cook!
I have had numerous discussions with members of my “Mommy Posse” about kids and food. Why won’t they try something new? How can I get them to eat their meals? Should I say no to a snack if I know they are truly hungry?
In raising my 5 and 3 year old thus far, I have learned a few tips I want to share. Most of the ideas are borrowed from other mommies (and daddies) who, like myself, don’t want to be a short order cook!
1. Limit snacks throughout the day. Certainly when your children are babies, you should feed them when they are hungry. But kids quickly learn that if snacks are freely given, they don’t have to eat their meals, because something better will be given to them later. In my house, if my kids don’t eat the food on their plates at dinner and they ask for a snack later, it has to be a “healthy” one.
2. Teach them early about healthy food choices. Print off the Food Guide Pyramid or “MyPlate” (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/) , talk about portions and let them help you pick out the menu. Another good idea is to let them help you cook. Often times, if kids are involved they are more like to try something new!
3. Limit drinks. Certainly if your child is thirsty, let them have water. But be careful, little bellies can fill up on milk, juice, etc. and not be hungry when mealtime rolls around. Sippy cups were a wonderful invention. However, we allow kids to drink from them for too long, out of convenience for us (less spills to clean up), and our kids have access to them all the time. Try keeping the cup at the table or in the fridge so your child only drinks when they are truly thirsty.
4. Only eat in the kitchen. If kids have to stop playing to eat, they will be less likely to graze all day long. I just recently employed this rule in our home after a recent move. (I’m trying to save my new carpet!) Needless to say, my kids aren’t too happy. However, I’m finding that they are eating meals a little better and snacking less throughout the day.
5. Define what are healthy foods and not so healthy foods. In my house there are only two food groups: healthy and junk. Healthy foods include veggies, fruits, grains and meats. Junk includes candy, chips, soda, etc. My 5 year old clearly knows the difference and doesn’t ask for anything from the “junk” category when it is off limits.
6. Avoid being a short order cook. I know there are some really picky eaters out there and you have to feed them something, so this tip may not work for you. However if you can meal plan so that each child likes at least one of the sides you are serving with a meal, then you should be good to go. Don’t fix a different meal for each kid, you’ll run yourself ragged and mealtime will become misery time.
7. Try the lights out approach. Another rule in my house related to the kitchen is that when the kitchen lights are off, that means the kitchen is closed. SO DON’T ASK MOMMY FOR A SNACK! Some days I was felt like I never got out of the kitchen between fixing meals, cleaning up and serving snacks! This rule has again helped my kids to limit the food begging.
8. To piggyback on the Food Guide Pyramid and MyPlate, have your child help you create a meal checklist to help ensure that each healthy food group is represented at every meal. Or you can keep a picture of MyPlate or the Food Guide Pyramid posted on the side of the frig and after your child fills their plate have them check to make sure they have appropriate portions and all food groups represented.
I hope these tips are useful to you and your little ones in helping you solve some of the food battles in your home. If you don’t have any, consider yourself blessed!
Below is a picture of my youngest helping me make pumpkin pie (I told you I like sweets!). Much to my surprise, because I involved him in the creation of the pie, he was super excited to taste it. And because he is MY son, he loved it J
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Yoga for Kids and for FUN!
In the past few years, I've grown to love and cherish a weekly yoga class. I was longtime "aerobics girl" who spent years teaching and taking every "hot" class at the time, from step aerobics, to body pump, to Pilates. I even had some aerobics records back in the day and a worn out Cindy Crawford VHS. Well, I never quite turned into a super model, but I do love exercise and the switch to yoga was not exactly an easy one. I not only had to train by body, but for the first time, had to train my mind. For a mind that seems to goo 100 mph in 5 different directions at any given moment, this was no easy task. It took time and it took help, but with practice, I learned to turn off the continuous to-do list that scrolls through my brain as constant as the ticker at the bottom of the ESPN screen that runs pretty continuously in our house! I learned to center my thoughts and actually - be still, and be (gasp) quiet! Ironically, that silence has helped be hear some pretty important things.
When I became interested in yoga for myself, I wanted to share my new love with my other loves - my daughters and my patients. So, I took a continuing education course titled, "Integrating Yoga Into Your Pediatric Practice." It was right up my alley. The pamphlet said to come barefoot, in yoga pants, and with a mat -- my kind of CE course! We spent all day doing yoga that would appeal to children and learning how to incorporate this with a purpose. It was so fun!
Did you know that besides increasing flexibility and strength, yoga can improve body awareness, posture, motor coordination, concentration, digestion, circulation, mood, self esteem, and sensory regulation? Who would not want that for themselves or their kids? Plus, as winter approaches and more time is spent indoors this is something you can do with your children that can benefit all of you.
One of my daughters' favorites is to do poses that are animals. Here's a few to share. Add the corresponding sounds for fun!
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| Down Dog |
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| Up Dog |
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| Down Gorilla |
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| Up Gorilla |
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| Cow |
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| Cat |
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| Rabbit |
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| Horse |
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| Lion |
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| Camel |
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| Elephant |
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| Butterfly |
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| Sleepy Bear |
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| Bear |
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| Crouching tiger |
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| Lunging tiger |
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| Spider |
In addition, yoga focuses on breath. I was shocked as a newcomer to yoga how much simple breathing can calm you down. At times my kids roll their eyes, but when they get upset, they'll hear me say "Smell the flowers, blow out the candles." Inhaling and bringing their fingers to their nose, and the exhaling and leaning forward repetitively helps them focus and calm down.
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| Smell the Flowers |
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| Blow out your candles! |
You can also have them lay down and breath deeply using a feather or a balloon to give them a visual target to move with their breath.
The teacher of the course suggested "story book yoga." This means that you take a favorite story book and use the pictures in it to inspire yoga poses. I did this once with my daughter's preschool class and they loved it! Great books to try it out with are any of the Eric Carle favorites.
Meditation was always the hardest part of my yoga class at first. Being still doesn't come naturally to me. On a few occasions when my children have been really stressed, I've gone as far as trying the techniques I've learned in class on them. I have to say, they were either successful (or my kids thought I was losing my mind), but they enjoyed a candle and some rain sounds on the I-pod while lying down and breathing!
You can find lots of information on yoga for kids on the internet. We enjoy:
angelbearyoga.com
http://www.calmingkidsyoga.org/
http://www.lazylizardsyoga.com/ (they have super cool mats for kids too)
So the next rainy (or snowy) day that comes your way, consider getting active through yoga with your kids! You might feel silly at first, but I promise that the feeling of silliness is quickly replaced by belly laughs and fun. Namaste!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hearing is Essential!
Hearing is vital to the development of speech of language in your child. So please carefully consider today how WELL your child hears. All newborns are screened before they leave the hospital which helps detect hearing loss earlier in babies. But then frequent ear infections, medications that are toxic to the ear, illness (like meningitis, measles, flu), head injury and noise exposure can all lead to hearing loss later in childhood. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association recommends having your child's hearing further evaluated by a certified audiologist if you observe any of the following behaviors or symptoms of hearing loss:
-Your child is inconsistently responding to sound.
-Language and speech development is delayed.
-Speech is unclear.
-Volume is turned up high on TV, CD player, etc.
-Your child does not follow directions.
-Your child often says, "Huh?"
-Your child does not respond when called.
Sometimes we just dismiss behavior indicative of hearing loss as a child having "selective listening" or choosing not to listen. I've been there! Recently my son was treated for severe wax impaction in both ears. He is a typical 3 year old with selective listening and occasional defiant behavior. After our pediatrician tried to treat the problem with little success, he referred us to the ENT. Thankfully the ENT was able to remove the wax successfully. But after seeing the severity of the impaction, the doctor informed me that my son hasn't been able to hear very well for the past couple of months! Who knew?!
Sometimes it can be tricky figuring out if your child hears you well or not. But the important thing to remember is if you have any doubt, get their hearing checked out. The peace of mind will be worth your effort!
-Your child is inconsistently responding to sound.
-Language and speech development is delayed.
-Speech is unclear.
-Volume is turned up high on TV, CD player, etc.
-Your child does not follow directions.
-Your child often says, "Huh?"
-Your child does not respond when called.
The importance of early identification of hearing loss in children includes:
- Receiving hearing aids (or cochlear implants) sooner
-Achieving their language and auditory potential
-Receiving early intervention
-Having parents who are informed!
Sometimes we just dismiss behavior indicative of hearing loss as a child having "selective listening" or choosing not to listen. I've been there! Recently my son was treated for severe wax impaction in both ears. He is a typical 3 year old with selective listening and occasional defiant behavior. After our pediatrician tried to treat the problem with little success, he referred us to the ENT. Thankfully the ENT was able to remove the wax successfully. But after seeing the severity of the impaction, the doctor informed me that my son hasn't been able to hear very well for the past couple of months! Who knew?!
Sometimes it can be tricky figuring out if your child hears you well or not. But the important thing to remember is if you have any doubt, get their hearing checked out. The peace of mind will be worth your effort!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Albert Einstein
I love to play. Who doesn't? We all work for the weekend so we can relax and play. Even activities that we chose for leisure as adults help us unwind and recharge. Play does the same for children - it is a means for handling emotions, having fun, and learning in so many ways.
We are a play-based company - dedicated to helping others learn about how play forms a child. In preparation for a lecture we are going to be giving next year, I've been reading a wonderful book called "Einstein Never Used Flashcards." The book is authored by Drs. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff and I am really enjoying it and recommend it for anyone raising or teaching children. The purpose of the book is to educate those working with children so that they can understand how a child naturally develops, how that development can be supported through play, and how and why we got to a point where our society values educational milestones so early in a child's life. After learning this valuable information, adults can become empowered to make informed decisions for their children on choices from organized activities to toy selection.
One of my favorite sections of this book explores pretend play or imaginative play. This has always been one of my favorite types of play because it draws on a child's creative side. In "Einstein Never Used Flashcards" the authors tell that pretend play has early beginnings with young infants in playing using symbols - or symbolic play. They state that at any place on the earth, symbols are used to represent things - both words and objects, so symbolic or pretend play is a basic necessity for all to learn. This type of the play is also vital for language and social skills. I love an example they use to illustrate the progression of pretend play - or symbolic play. Their example looks something like this;
* 6-9 months - baby explores objects (often by mouth) to determine size, texture and other properties. A baby at this age would be doing this with a simple toy like a rubber phone.
* 23 months - that same baby might interact with the toy appropriately in a cause and effect type learning situation. She may push the buttons on that phone and hear a sound. She might also use something else like a hammer to hit the phone and make the same sound. Early play with objects like a doll (covering her up, feeding a bottle) are also common at this stage.
*3.5 years - At this age, toddlers are often pretend playing with small sets (like a farm and animals) but can use other objects (like that same old phone) for purposes other than their actual one. The example they provide is that the phone might be the cow's "baby."
We often see our children in single moments of time - a snap shot of today. Wouldn't it be interesting to catch them interact with the same 3 or 4 toys every 9 months or so and compare side by side how their skills change? I find it fascinating that simple chewing on a play phone at 6 months old is a foundation for elaborate imagination journeys later in life. If you think hard, you can almost hear how that child's language skills progress as he/she plays.
When giving toy recommendations, my favorite piece of advice for parents is to chose a toy that can be used at many stages of development and that don't "do it all" for a child - in other words a "forever toy." I'm also not a huge battery toy fan but that's besides the point! The perfect example is blocks. They could be used similarly to the example above...mouthing, throwing down to hear the noise, stacking, building a mighty castle, being driven as a "car," or playing the roles of two "friends" trying to decide what to do that particular day.
Looking back at my childhood, my favorite "forever toy" was a soft plain brown bear that was a gift from my sweet aunt to me in the hospital on the day I was born. I like to think of myself as a fairly creative person, but maybe that was a trait I acquired later on as I simply named him "Teddy." I'm sure that like the baby described above, I chewed on Teddy and threw him down (his battle scars are pretty convincing evidence). I remember wrapping him like a baby and dressing him in my younger brother's baby clothes. He served as a security item and traveled with me many new places. He's even been to Europe and Hawaii and spent 2 agonizing days away from me lost in a church pew. I remember even as a tween using him to do gymnastics in front on me so that I could visualize how to do a new trick. He's ratty and worn, but he helped me learn many things, expand my imagination, and is now a reminder of many sweet childhood memories.
A 34 year old well loved friend
Lots of childhood items dropped off here from my mother got trashed. Teddy made the cut. Apparently, he still has some magic. Tomorrow, in celebration of T week in Kindergarten, my daughter and her classmates will bring in Teddy Bears to have a sleepover in their classroom. Of all the fluffy, fancy, Build-A-Bear creations in this house of 2 girls, guess who landed the invite? There is magic in a "forever toy" and in the power that imaginative play can bless a child with. So grab a huge box from your local hardware store and finger paint your dream house, line up the kitchen chairs and sit first class on your airplane, or open those dusty boxes and share your "forever toy" and your imagination with your little ones today.
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