Wonder Reflection #7
I had the pleasure of travelling to Washington, DC Feb 24-26, 2019 for he National Association for the Education of Young children (NAEYC) Public Policy Forum.
I received training in Public Policy and Advocacy and had the pleasure of visiting “the Hill” to talk about funding early education and care. There are so many people fighting for early childhood.
I am aligning myself with the folks that are elevating this career I chose and continue to choose! Working with like minded people keeps me present and focused in the moment. I can soak in my surroundings intentionally. Surrounding oneself with people who know more than myself really ups my game and for me fires me up.
I am thankful for my early education tribe and will continue to learn from those will more skills and expertise than me. A shout out to the organizers of this event and my travel partners from the great state of AK.
Keep fighting!
(Pictured, Child Care Now bear presented one each to our state Senators and Congressman)
What are you “fighting” for? What fires you up?
Wonder Reflection #6
This photo represents 39 years of friendship. Our friendships began at 18 years old. We were a bunch of strangers thrown together by circumstance in a college dorm! We try to get together regularly.
Looking at these faces I see such strength and determination! Breast cancer, brain tumor, divorce, widowhood, re- marriage, never married, long lasting marriage, parenthood, single parenting, even a new cheesecake stealing puppy (who needed those calories anyway!).
When we get together is seems as we’ve never been apart. I have been living in Alaska and North Dakota for 5 years now and missed seeing my friends in person for 4 years until the visit pictured above in 2019!
We are spread out among 4 states, (5 if you count my AK/ND stint) different careers, healthcare, independent consultant, lawyer, lab techs, retired (all our goals!) and me, teacher. Never forget the women that lift you up! This is my tribe. I am in awe!
Who lifts you up? What do you do to honor the relationship?
Wonder Reflection #5
I spent a lot of time in 2018 and 2019 travelling from the East Coast to Alaska and back.
I cannot help but to “wonder” at all the “wonder” I’ve missed because I had “a job to do”. I was so busy being busy I missed things.
My wonder turned to “I wonder what happened here?”, “I wonder where my sunglasses are?”, “I wonder what we could do differently?” I missed the wonder and awe right before me. Not to say that I didn’t catch some but I surely did miss the point.
Change and growth and pinch points have always set me spinning. I am thankful I can now recognize this and perhaps be more intentional.
What are you doing today? Are you being intentional?
Wonder Reflection #4
2019. I turned Friendship Garden over to a new Director, the 3rd since I have been in Alaska. With the promise of spring she pulled out planting materials and our rain barrel that have been in storage for 4 years now!
I can smell the damp earth just by looking at this photo! I am full of admiration for her and the experiences she wants to bring to young children.
She’s lined up donations and helpers to get the garden ready as well as fill all the containers shown here and more.
I wonder how many children will recall these earthy experiences as they grow and leave our center. How many will connect with nature and never let that go?
With spring comes new beginnings, this year holds great promise!
Update to 2020! I feel the same!
Wonder Reflection #3
The snow is melting and what a wonderful ice sculpture the snow and sun have created. Take a minute to look around you, what do you see that inspires you?
As I continue to catch wonder in the big and small moments of my life, I did realize how much I was missing in my “rush, rush” world. This week I am setting the pace for slowing down.
Setting the pace and helping others to recognize wonder in the moments that we share. Working on helping teachers to recognize encouragement vs praise has opened another world of wonder for me.
There has been a shift in teacher behavior as they are being recognized with specific encouragement and not generalized praise. As we know from our early educator training, this works with children as well.
How will a natural photograph or something in nature inspire you today?
Wonder Reflection #2
This wonder journal is a result of my Wonder Based Education Certification course.
Just when “I wonder”, can I get back on track after life throws a curve ball, I see signs everywhere. Yes, of course I can. I see positive affirmations on Face Book, Pinterest, Instagram and within the Wonder Based training.
I watch a movie and the lines “speak to me”. It is in these moments that I stop and realize that the answer I was seeking was here all along. Nothing is “off track” at all.
Moving out of my comfort zone, making unfavorable decisions, missing my family and “home” has made me stretch and grow. I wonder how much more will change for me and how I will embrace this change?
Learning never ends!
Hovering, Proximity and Risk
This week I had to physically step back and reset rather than interfere with the children at play. This is what happened.
I said to the teacher that was outside with me that I was “hovering” near a couple of children monitoring the situation. She said to me, “hovering or in proximity, I am curious what you are thinking”. This caused me to pause and reflect on my own meaning.
For me, hovering meant I was ready to “pounce” in to fix or stop something that was happening. Proximity meant I was close enough for the children to rely on me if needed. In proximity I could observe without the intention of intervening. As is turns out I did nothing as the children solved their issue on their own. I do not even know what the issue was. I do know it was not my issue to solve. It was theirs and they were empowered to solve it.
My experience is the same when allowing children to test their physical abilities, even with practice it is hard to observe and not rush in to “protect”. Children need to assess the “risk” for themselves before proceeding. This makes for good decision makers, a lifelong skill we want to instill at a young age.
I am grateful for people who want a respectful discourse and allow for our respective learning and growth. I appreciate how language is powerful and sets up a way of being.
Will you empower children solve their own “problems”?
This week I had to physically step back and reset rather than interfere with the children at play. This is what happened.
I said to the teacher that was outside with me that I was “hovering” near a couple of children monitoring the situation. She said to me, “hovering or in proximity, I am curious what you are thinking”. This caused me to pause and reflect on my own meaning.
For me, hovering meant I was ready to “pounce” in to fix or stop something that was happening. Proximity meant I was close enough for the children to rely on me if needed. In proximity I could observe without the intention of intervening. As is turns out I did nothing as the children solved their issue on their own. I do not even know what the issue was. I do know it was not my issue to solve. It was theirs and they were empowered to solve it.
My experience is the same when allowing children to test their physical abilities, even with practice it is hard to observe and not rush in to “protect”. Children need to assess the “risk” for themselves before proceeding. This makes for good decision makers, a lifelong skill we want to instill at a young age.
I am grateful for people who want a respectful discourse and allow for our respective learning and growth. I appreciate how language is powerful and sets up a way of being.
Will you empower children solve their own “problems”?
Hovering, Proximity and Risk
This week I had to physically step back and reset rather than interfere with the children at play. This is what happened.
I said to the teacher that was outside with me that I was “hovering” near a couple of children monitoring the situation. She said to me, “hovering or in proximity, I am curious what you are thinking”. This caused me to pause and reflect on my own meaning.
For me, hovering meant I was ready to “pounce” in to fix or stop something that was happening. Proximity meant I was close enough for the children to rely on me if needed. In proximity I could observe without the intention of intervening. As is turns out I did nothing as the children solved their issue on their own. I do not even know what the issue was. I do know it was not my issue to solve. It was theirs and they were empowered to solve it.
My experience is the same when allowing children to test their physical abilities, even with practice it is hard to observe and not rush in to “protect”. Children need to assess the “risk” for themselves before proceeding. This makes for good decision makers, a lifelong skill we want to instill at a young age.
I am grateful for people who want a respectful discourse and allow for our respective learning and growth. I appreciate how language is powerful and sets up a way of being.
Will you empower children to be good decision makers?
Early Education Wonder Reflection Series #1
I have been in a Wonder Teacher Education certification program and will post a series of reflections here. Enjoy!
While covering a shift in a young toddler classroom. There were magnets, tin cans, washers and metal lids set out as an invitation. Three children were exploring when one little boy, 19 months old picked up a magnet wand and a lid was stuck to it. Wide eyed he looked at me. I picked up a magnet wand with a can lid stuck to it. We exchanged several words.
He proceeded to drop and pick up the lid several times eventually spinning the lid on the end of the magnet. He did this several times until it was more fun to kick the lid when it fell, thus starting a whole additional investigation.
The child was so filled with awe and wonder I couldn’t help but be caught up in his learning. I also thought I could have so easily missed the whole thing by being “busy” elsewhere! Keep your eyes open to all the learning possibilities that surround you!
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