Reid’s intention to learn to read last night was no match for my persuasiveness and the lure of the park. We played for about 30 minutes before heading home. On the way, Reid asked if we could have a picnic in the living room and watch cartoons. In French, she added. Then, as though inspired, Reid told me that she didn’t want to go to school anymore but would learn French by watching French cartoons. I laughed and complimented her creative approach to finding an alternative approach to her education. Specifically I said, “Good try but you’re not dropping out to become a bilingual couch potato.” When she repeated her dislike of school, I responded with a simple, “You go to school. That’s what you do,” and changed the subject. It seemed to work. There haven’t been tears or wobbly bottom lips during this sort of a conversation in a while at least. (Knock wood.)
Archive for October, 2008
Alternative education
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008Exploring at the farm
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
View More Wordless Wednesday Participants, look at my previous Wordless Wednesday entries, or check out the Wordless Wednesday HQ. Youll find lots of cute babies and kids at 5 Minutes for Mom.
Big night ahead of us
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008Last Friday, Reid and I went to the playground next to her school, the one I didn’t know existed, and I was ready to leave before she was. I have to keep track of things like supper and bedtime while Reid thinks more of play. It’s the way we divide labour in our family. I told Reid that we needed to leave but offered to go again one night this week. We discussed our week and determined that Monday was out because of swimming lessons. Reid ruled out tonight because, in her words, “I have to learn to read on Tuesday night.” I must have missed that note from the teacher. To go from no homework – I don’t even know what their theme is, if they have one – to being expected to teach Reid to read in one night seems excessive! On the bright side, Reid’s communication book noted that Reid was reading words like “_at” and “_ar” yesterday and so perhaps I’m not starting at nothing.
I’m still going to pitch the park as tonight’s activity since it isn’t too cold (maybe 12 degrees Celsius), it isn’t raining and it isn’t cold yet. Days like these will become less and lass common as autumn progresses here in Ottawa. I want to take advantage of the weather. Maybe Reid can wait to learn to read until the next rainy evening we have.
If you know any authors of books for children
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008Today was the first day in a month that Reid hasn’t told me that she doesn’t want to go to school. The first week went well at pickup and drop off but since then, Reid has told me that she doesn’t want to go to school. Usually she asks at bedtime if the next day is a school day and if it is, then she says she doesn’t want to go. Sometimes she asks me how much longer she has to go to school and isn’t happy with my “about 20 years” response. Reid declared her preference to abstain from education last night but not this morning. I don’t suppose it will happen again tonight. When I pick Reid up from school, she is always playing happily and sometimes makes me wait until she has finished something before we can leave.
All this to say that if you know Robert Munsch, Marie-Louise Gay, or any other author of children’s books, please let them know that some kids do very well on the first day of school but need a little encouragement as the routine develops. We’ve read many books about first-day jitters but haven’t found any that offer advice for the “hey, my life has really changed” stress that Reid is experiencing.
Me, I’m savouring a day free of my well-practiced “school is fun, important and inevitable” lecture. Hope your day goes well, too.
Sporty Reid
Saturday, October 4th, 2008I have in my memory, even if I don’t want to, references to “doctor Barbie” and “water ski Barbie”, or something to that effect. I’m sharing Reid’s physical activity schedule for when she is at school. At first I was surprised to see the 30 minute blocks when I’d been told there would be 60 minutes each day but then I considered the time required to get the kids from school clothes into and out of a bathing or ice skates, etc. The teachers will get the full 60 minute workout at least.
* Monday – Swimming
* Tuesday – Physical education
* Wednesday – Gymnastics
* Wednesday – Skating
* Thursday – Dance
* Friday – Free play in gym
I’m told that the swimming will go all year and the skating will last until March but that the other classes may change after a few months. With Reid’s decision to drop gymnastics and skating except at school, our weeks seem much easier than when we were going to gymnastics, skatings and swimming in the evenings without her missing any of the activities. I feel like I’m eating my cake and having it, too.
Reid also has a music class, based on the Music for Young Children program, on Thursdays at 11:00, which may or may not conflict with or compliment Kindermusik. I don’t know much about Music for Young Children as their site is vague and the school hasn’t sent home Reid’s music book.
Click for La Leche League
Friday, October 3rd, 2008I’m going to steal shamelessly from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 to point you to the Squidoo charity contest that will see money go to La Leche League:
Squidoo is giving away $80,000 to charity. In order to decide the mix of beneficiaries, Squidoo invites people to visit its website and vote for an organization to receive $2. That will continue until the entire $80,000 has been allocated or until October 15, 2008, whichever comes first. On the list of beneficiaries is La Leche League. Its so easy and fast to vote no registration is required, just the click of a button! So head on over to the $80,000 Squidoo Charity Giveaway
Fun at the park
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
View More Wordless Wednesday Participants, look at my previous Wordless Wednesday entries, or check out the Wordless Wednesday HQ. Youll find lots of cute babies and kids at 5 Minutes for Mom.