Some Things I Find "Unusually" Interesting
Before you begin reading this post, please take time to review the tag line. It states, the ramblings of a retired early childhood educator, beginning blogger, and lover of hound dogs. Please pay particular attention to the word "ramblings."This post will probably be all over the place with unrelated thoughts. Just have some things I am thinking about today.
The first thing I have found "unusually" interesting since I have retired is my ability to actually walk for longer periods of time (more than 5 minutes) and for longer distances (more than from my desk to the kitchen). In the past I would periodically go through "phases" when I would take early morning walks before work or walk on a treadmill at the gym after work all in the name of exercise. However, I have to admit that I rarely, if ever, actually enjoyed those times.
I have to give credit for this new found ability to my wonder pups, Quincy and Gracie. The day I actually became aware that we had been walking for a long distance and I had completely lost all track of time was the day I realized having company as well as having a purpose for the walk was the key for developing an exercise routine!
The second "unusually" interesting thing:
When I was in college studying to be a teacher, the word on the street was this: each child is a unique person and comes to school with her own individual pattern and timing of growth as well as an individual personality, learning style, and family background.
So if that is the case, why do all children sit at the same time, in the same way, reviewing the same material, that's going to be on the same test, and then all be expected to achieve the same score?
What has happened to the old fashioned idea of individualized learning? Has it gone by the wayside along with the notion that non-academic subjects such as art, music, dance, orchestra, and outside recess time are interfering with "learning" and should therefore not be given any importance?
The third "unusually" interesting thing:
Perhaps we as educators and parents should study other countries models for schooling. Author Christine Gross-Loh writes in her book, Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons Parents Around the World Can Teach Us, " the Finnish model of education includes a late start to academics. Children do not begin any formal academics until they are 7 years old, there are frequent breaks for outdoor time, shorter school hours, and more variety of classes than in US schools. While in the United States, the growing trend is to shorten recess times in favor of allowing for more academic time and funding is often cut for music and art activities."
I am extremely pleased to say that just this morning on a local news show a physical education teacher was featured talking about the link between children moving while learning. Reading while walking on a treadmill and being allowed to use a rocker board while doing math have already shown positive results for the children who are participating in this program! Happy Day!
The fourth ( and final ) "unusually" interesting thing:
I recently came across a blog written by Michele Connolly called Louder Minds. She writes about simple living and minimalism. In this particular post she had 4 or 5 insights to share with readers but the one that stood out to me was this one.
"We only need stuff for the life we want to live."
In that case, I need very little. Family, hound dogs, green tea, books, a pair of pants, a tee shirt, and flip flops.
That's it for now.
Check back later!
The first thing I have found "unusually" interesting since I have retired is my ability to actually walk for longer periods of time (more than 5 minutes) and for longer distances (more than from my desk to the kitchen). In the past I would periodically go through "phases" when I would take early morning walks before work or walk on a treadmill at the gym after work all in the name of exercise. However, I have to admit that I rarely, if ever, actually enjoyed those times.
I have to give credit for this new found ability to my wonder pups, Quincy and Gracie. The day I actually became aware that we had been walking for a long distance and I had completely lost all track of time was the day I realized having company as well as having a purpose for the walk was the key for developing an exercise routine!
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| The wonder pups, Quincy and Gracie enjoy some alfresco dining in Jasper, AR |
The second "unusually" interesting thing:
When I was in college studying to be a teacher, the word on the street was this: each child is a unique person and comes to school with her own individual pattern and timing of growth as well as an individual personality, learning style, and family background.
So if that is the case, why do all children sit at the same time, in the same way, reviewing the same material, that's going to be on the same test, and then all be expected to achieve the same score?
What has happened to the old fashioned idea of individualized learning? Has it gone by the wayside along with the notion that non-academic subjects such as art, music, dance, orchestra, and outside recess time are interfering with "learning" and should therefore not be given any importance?
Perhaps we as educators and parents should study other countries models for schooling. Author Christine Gross-Loh writes in her book, Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons Parents Around the World Can Teach Us, " the Finnish model of education includes a late start to academics. Children do not begin any formal academics until they are 7 years old, there are frequent breaks for outdoor time, shorter school hours, and more variety of classes than in US schools. While in the United States, the growing trend is to shorten recess times in favor of allowing for more academic time and funding is often cut for music and art activities."
I am extremely pleased to say that just this morning on a local news show a physical education teacher was featured talking about the link between children moving while learning. Reading while walking on a treadmill and being allowed to use a rocker board while doing math have already shown positive results for the children who are participating in this program! Happy Day!
The fourth ( and final ) "unusually" interesting thing:
I recently came across a blog written by Michele Connolly called Louder Minds. She writes about simple living and minimalism. In this particular post she had 4 or 5 insights to share with readers but the one that stood out to me was this one.
"We only need stuff for the life we want to live."
In that case, I need very little. Family, hound dogs, green tea, books, a pair of pants, a tee shirt, and flip flops.
That's it for now.
Check back later!
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