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July 19, 2008
Isabel and Rachael Listen and Learn
A Thursday evening in the summer is usually a time for swimming, a trip to the park, or a bar-b-que. Maybe all of the above is fun for a family’s entertainment.
Last Thursday 100 parents and twice as many children showed up for an EdSuccess workshop at Lincoln School in Yuba City sponsored by the Smart Start school readiness program. The topics were getting ready for Kindergarten reading and math. We needed two translators and even then we missed a couple of families who spoke something other than English.
Before the start of the workshop I chatted with some of the parents and met as many children as possible. One of the children was Isabel, a delightful, smiling 8-month-old. During the workshop it was easy to use Isabel as an example of how children learn. Even at 8 months she’s listening to everything and everyone around her. She turned her head as her mom talked to her and tickled her. She paid close attention to the lady next to them and was quiet, for an 8 month old, while I talked about listening. She turned to look when I mentioned her name.
Listening and speaking build a child’s vocabulary. A good working vocabulary is a major key to reading. I want parents to listen and talk with their child then when reading is introduced, it’s easier to learn.
When we started talking about recognizing letters as a first step to the reading process, I met Rachael. I often demonstrate an activity where I pretend to be a mom fixing dinner at the stove. I ask someone for the workshop to act as my five-year-old brand new kindergarten child. Rachael volunteered and was a wonderful five-year-old.
“What did you learn in school today,” I asked.
“Letters,” said Rachael.
“What letter did you learn today?” I asked.
“B,” said Rachael.
While still pretending to stir soup, I picked up a yellow sticky pad and a pen and wrote the letter “b” on the top page. I pulled it off and asked Rachael to go find something in the room that started with a “b.”
She looked and looked until she found a book. Everyone, all 100 other parents, seemed ready to help if she couldn’t find something. Then we tried a "d" and Rachael took her time finding a door. Applause were warranted for such great work.
The idea is to have fun with learning. Rachael and the whole group did. My last question to them, the one they had to answer before they could have the great dinner being served after the workshop was, “What are fun, learning activity are you going to do with your child this week?” So..."What are you doing with your child/grandchild today?"
Posted by Dr Joni at 07:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 03, 2008
Pizza for Eight
Monday evening my last item for the day was pizza with Bob and seven of his grandchildren. I had an appointment and would be a few minutes late, but as I drove toward the pizza place, I thought about what might await.
I recalled times at Chuck E. Cheese when my four children were little and all clamoring for coins so they could go play the games. They’d return just in time to see Chuck E and all his buddies do their stage performance then they’d be off again. A dozen birthdays would be celebrated while we were there. My kids might wander into the party and half the time no one knew if they belonged there or not. We’d go rescue them, mumble an apology and a parent would say, “Oh, I thought they were Timmy’s friends.” Sure, good ol’ Timmy.
There was also the evening one of my children had been having lessons in school on drug and alcohol prevention. We had gotten our pizza and pitcher of soda when this same now learned child looked over at the table next to us. Those folks also had a pizza as well as a pitcher of beer. “Mom,” said the all-knowing child in a loud voice, “look they’re doing drugs.” Another mumbled apology was in order while trying to explain to a child that beer wasn’t a drug, but, well, yes it sort of was, but….. I wonder if they know Timmy.
As they got older, our pizza orders grew from a large pepperoni to medium sausage and pepperoni’s to Pizza Factory’s gargantuan extra large with everything but anchovies. Four teenagers could devour most of Cleveland if left unattended. Leaving them or a credit card unattended was never an option.
I walked in the Pizza Palace Monday evening to find four girls and their grandfather around one large table containing two large pizzas. The three boys sat in a both nearby taking care of grated cheese and hot peppers. Every child, ages eight to sixteen and the sixty-year-old, was attacking their favorite pizza slice and enjoying lemonades and sodas. Conversation ranged from summer work projects to sunburns, possible vacations, and upcoming fishing trips.
I had forgotten how much fun a night out for pizza could be. Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by Dr Joni at 11:24 AM