Learning

Well, OK, how to admit this–I haven’t been particularly motivated to write any more posts.  It’s not that I don’t have lots more to say, or that I don’t want to say it, but that I feel like I should be able to briefly summarize the large topics of my life into a few paragraphs, type that up, and call it a day.  But that would be stupid, and completely waste this blog, so I’m going to try something just as crazy as I am.

Starting with this post, I’m going to share something that I’m working on or have done:  It may be cooking, baking, building something, or just assembling something with the kiddo.  That’s my hook for me to keep writing.  Then, I’ll communicate my topic, which is what perhaps someone would desire to read once they’ve reached the end of the Internet and gone, “I wonder if I missed something–oh, look, a blog.”

RECENT PROJECT

This week’s project was baking snickerdoodles.  Yes, of course, thousands upon thousands of people have done it before me, but I haven’t done it myself, so why not try it?  The recipe I used was Allrecipes.com’s “Mrs. Sigg’s Snickerdoodles”.  How were the cookies?  Both the Wife and her friend who was over enjoyed them, and my son called them “delicious”, so I’d say that’s a thumbs up. It’s still weird to me that you pull the snickerdoodles out when the center is a bit moist, because I certainly don’t want to underbake something, but who am I to argue with the results.

TOPIC FOR TODAY

So what do you think about when you’re baking snickerdoodles?  What grand plans of the universe might be revealed amidst cream of tartar, cinnamon, and sugar?  I discovered the phone screen I was using automatically locked on me way more than I thought it would while reading the recipe.  As for revelations, they were small-scale, but one that I had was this:  I’m really locked into my daily lists of things to do.

I don’t even remember what book or article it was I was reading a long time ago that had a summary that went something like this:  “People who write down their activities for the day get more done.”  OK, I thought, this works for me.  I love making lists, checking things off, and proving how amazing an amount of things I can get done in one day.  With this in mind, I got a notebook, started writing a list (numbered, of course) of all the things I should do each day, and it worked–I was getting lots done, including the small things that might normally slip my mind.  Years have gone by where I’ve done this, and I’ve filled up multiple notebooks with my tasks for each day.

Here’s what leads to the problem, though:  99.9% of the time I’ve listed out my tasks, they have been things like:

  • Take out the trash
  • Fold the laundry
  • Clean up the table
  • Caulk the windows

And on and on, specific activities meant to take care of the basic needs of life.  It’s awesome if they’re all things I can get done within a half hour of getting home.  Yet most often the tasks are things that I only get completely done shortly before I go to bed, or <gasp!> I don’t even sometimes get done at all.  This leaves little to no time for quality time with my son or my wife, and there’s never really time for friends or events outside of this.  The really bad thing is that I feel guilty when I don’t get the things I’ve listed done, which makes me stress out, which makes me a terrible person to be around.

Wait a minute–these task lists were supposed to let me get more things done, so that I could have more time for the good stuff that fills me and my family up with happiness.  Did I miss something?  Where did I go wrong?

If you’re someone who likes everything wrapped up neatly, here’s where you’re going to be disappointed:  I don’t know what’s going wrong with using lists.  A lot of the things I write are things that really need done.  Do I need to just trim off a couple things and acknowledge that I can’t get them done?  Or do I need to add the happy tasks to my list too?  I’m going to try one or both of these things, and I’ll share how it works in a future post.  For now, I’ve got some weatherstripping to do . . . oh, and vacuuming . . . the cat litter needs changed again?  Dang it . . .

 

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The conversations have begun. Yes, you know the ones. “Where is your child going to school?” “Have you enrolled your child into preschool?” “Does anyone know of a good preschool for kids in our area?” Then once a parent begins talking, they definitely have an opinion of which is the best. Honestly, I feel the pressure. I really do, I want what is best for my son and now sons. I want them to be ready for school (Kindergarten) and the rest of school and college (if that is the right path for them). I told myself, I would not worry about this. But honestly, I am. If I don’t enroll them in the next greatest best school, am I letting them down? If I don’t get my pre-enrollment form in, shell out a load of cash, and an arm and a leg, am I hurting their future? Will they not get a good education, will they not be ready for life?!?

Stop! This is ridiculous! I honestly don’t see my sons on a conveyer belt to an Ivy League school. I do see them going to school and doing well. I then see them choosing a career path they desire and following it (hopefully that will entail a good college). I honestly do not believe all of that is determined by what school/preschool they are in now. Please parents, take the pressure off. Yes, you will have to put forth some effort to get them ready for school, but you do not have to have your child attend the best and greatest preschool out there. I had to tell myself this and later remind myself of this when I hear parents talking. It got me to thinking however, what does a child need to know before they go to school?

What do I need to know before Kindergarten?

(This is not for every Kindergarten out there, but it is a list I received from a group of Kindergarten teachers I worked with. When I first saw it I was a little amazed at all the things they were wanting them to know when they first began.  I have seen students come to school only knowing a few letters and hardly any of these other things.  Kindergarten teachers you are so so so amazing! If your child was able to do these things though, they would definitely be in a great place to start school and not worry about them being behind).

Before Kindergarten:

  • identify upper and lower case letters A-Z
  • can say the alphabet without skipping letters
  • counts 1-20
  • gets dressed: buttons, zippers, and shoe laces
  • catches a ball, throws a ball, and jumps
  • uses scissors
  • names shapes
  • understands patterns AB, ABB, ABC
  • writes first name
  • understands rhyming and can come up with rhyming words
  • identify numbers (1-10)
  • holds a pencil correctly

Knows:

  • their birthday
  • phone number
  • address
  • to dial 911 in emergency
  • months of the year
  • days of the week

My plan: I am going to teach our children these skills through play based learning. We are going to have fun and do some learning too. My goal is to share with you what we do and give you some insight into what you can do with your child. Preschools are great for children because children do learn, and they have a chance to interact with other children in a social setting (very important). I will talk more about that later. Yet, I don’t believe they have to be the only way for children to learn. You parent, really are your child’s greatest teacher. I want to empower you. You can really have fun with your child, and do some great things! Here is to learning!

What skills do you believe are important for Kindergarten? Please comment below.

** Our oldest child does attend a daycare/school two days a week because I was substitute teaching. It has been good for him to learn how to interact with peers, follow teacher directions, raise his hand, line up, and a myriad of other skills.  This post was created to empower parents, and to let them take a step back and breathe. I also wanted to give everyone a goal to shoot for.  When I make lesson plans I like to plan with the end goal in mind.

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