Lately, I am filling my days with my beautiful children. Even though Zoey’s school is all in person this year, we have chosen to keep her home for the time being because of health risks for our family. (Hi, COVID. You are not welcome here.) If there is a family who is still isolating, we are that family. I really wish that Zoey could attend preschool with her friends. She misses it. I miss it. However, we are absolutely making the best of things.
Ian is at the stage in his development where he wants to walk/run everywhere all the time. Constantly in motion, he tries to pull cords out of the wall, take everything apart, climb onto the bay window, and have what Zoey has. He is adorable and also a handful. I love him to pieces. He is my little explorer.
When Ian is outside in nature he is in his element. He loves walking on the path in the church yard behind our house, picking up pinecones, sticks and rocks. The weather has turned, and the past few days the rain has kept us indoors. He is often at the window, looking out at the street, saying “Car! Car!”
My past life as a preschool teacher taught me many things. One of them is that I value hands on learning. During my days as a preschool teacher in Lansing (long ago) they sent me to a week long training on a learning format called “The Project Approach.” I love it. I believe this type of learning sets children of a young age up for success. The structure allows educators to focus on the child’s interests. The child chooses the topic that is explored. The topic should be in a child’s environment and accessible. I’ve tried to use that approach with my kids.
Zoey decided at the start of the year that she wanted to learn about the body. How fitting, right!?! After seeing me go to several doctors appointments, she already has asked the question: “What are cancer cells?”
We also had this conversation:
Z: “Mommy, could you be a doctor?”
M: “I could be a doctor, but I would have to get the training first.”
Z: “Would you get the training?”
M: “No, honey. I don’t want to be a doctor.”
Z: “Can I be a doctor?”
M: “Yes, if you get the training… I believe that you have the capability to be a doctor someday, if that’s what you want to do.
The options are limitless baby girl, you have your whole life to decide.
So we have been exploring the body. We first traced Zoey’s body on cardboard and then learned about the various organs and systems. We have taken measurements, discussed our five senses, learned about bones, the digestive system, blood, our lungs, and heart. We are not done yet. It has been a few weeks and Zoey is still interested, but it is almost time for a new subject. This one has been amazing for my girl. She has loved learning about the body. I have loved watching her grow.
