Imaginative play

From the time Scout was very small we wanted her to be able to play creatively and independently. We made a point, each day, to give her time on her own to develop those skills.

There are lots of toys here in her sandbox. We do not believe she needs toys to have good imaginative play. We just have a really good dump with lots of wasteful people in town. I do think it is important to have a place to dig and the bigger the better.

We get lots of meals prepared for us each day!

There is cooking, castles, water play, digging for treasure, road making and when she gets older I imagine archaeological digs!

Practicing and mimicking life is such an important part of growing and learning.

She loves when we play here with her..and we do. But she can play so well by herself and with friends...with great imagination.

Later we will hear the stories and we will stop what we are doing and really listen. For that is just as important to her and for her. Not only does she want to share her adventures with us but it is great practice for her language and communication skills.

She is always surrounded by her animals. They frequently become part of her adventures and she talks with them all the while. Life is Good.

Language

Scout speaks very well. Maybe that is because of us or maybe that is just the way she is. Either way we believe there are some important factors involved.

We never use "baby talk". From the time she was born we spoke to her like we did each other. Conversationally, explaining what we were doing, what was happening, how we were feeling, everything. As she began to use words we never corrected her use of words or their pronunciation. We did not mimic her, admittedly cute, mistakes. We just continued to say them correctly the next time we used them ourselves.

As she became more proficient at speaking she repeated her questions and statements all the time. This was not to be troublesome, she was learning and practicing language. She wanted things repeated so she could solidify them in her head. We would repeat what she needed to hear as many times as she wanted...happily.

We model good English and good manners. We don't correct her if she doesn't use them.  We do praise her when she does. We continue modeling. When she is tired or hungry or doesn't feel well we understand she will probably not be able to act her normal self. We know she will need a hug or a snack but not need to be corrected.

The next phase she wanted new words repeated. She has a true desire to pronounce words correctly. When she hears a new word she immediately wants to practice it until she gets it perfectly. It generally doesn't take long but we continue until she is satisfied.

Recently she started repeating questions again. One example that comes to mind happened yesterday while driving. "Where are we going?" Scout. "To Mommy's work." Michelle. "Where are we going?" "To Mommy's work." That went on several more times. So the next time I replied "To Pawtucket." That was it, what she wanted. More information but she really didn't know how else to express it other then repeating the question. We practiced Pawtucket a few times until she could say it. Then she asked "Where's Daddy?" "At work" I said. She asked again. I caught on quickly this time and answered "Plymouth." That is what she wanted. We practiced the word Plymouth and then she went back to listening to her music...which we always have going in the CD player.

So she does speak very well. Both of us are very patient with her and always give her what she needs to learn language. I think it has helped her.

Little helper - spring chores

Letting your kiddo's, big or little, help with the family chores should be part of everyday. With a little one it may take a bit longer, but it is worth it! They are so proud of what they have done, so proud that they are contributing, gaining self esteme, self worth and confidence in themselves. They are also learning motor skills and life skills and to enjoy working with their hands.

Today one of our chores is to start a kitchen garden for the deck. What is better then digging in the dirt!

Doesn't everyone love it. I many times start with gloves but they never last long. I just love the feel of dirt in my hands.

It is nice to have some things right outside the kitchen door. We started with it with 2 varieties of lettuce and parsley.

Later some friends stopped by to see the baby chicks. Scout received her first boquet of flowers!

They worked together to put them in water.

After visiting with the chicks it was back to work!

We had 4 yards of sand delivered for the sandbox. We built the sandbox last year and put in a truck load of sand but is was never filled up completely. The sand box is used everyday and it is a favorite spot by all ages. It is time to get it filled!

The kids got out the shovels and wheelbarrows.

 They are working together, experimenting with different techniques of digging and filling .

Figuring out the use of different machines.

Using their muscles, coordination and creativity.

Filling the sandbox...

...with toys, I might add, have all been found at the dump. Discarded by a throw away society. Saved by us to be used and loved again.

Back for another load.

As I sit and write this blog entry, the next morning, Scout is outside on her morning solo adventure. She is pushing her wheelbarrow back to the sand pile. Life is Good.

Baby chicks

LIFE on the farm. This day is the birth of two baby chicks. We didn't even know this hen was sitting on eggs. She hatched them and then brought them to the coop for safety.

Adorable

Is this the rooster?

I think, because of there color, it is one of the bantam's. The rooster is in front.

They are tiny and soft. We are holding them so they will like to be held when they grow up. Scout loves the chickens and it will be nice to have a couple that willingly follow her around.

Seamus loves babies too!

A first touch...

and a kiss.

Life on the farm, Life is Good!

Welcome

I have just completed my first radical unschooling conference. We had a blast. I have always known we would be radical unschoolers...even before we knew there was a label for it. We have learned from this experience that there are many styles. Not that I am surprised about that, it is to be expected. What we did find here was that they style represented at the conference was not really ours. Our style is to do it with nature, with minimal impact on the earth. I know there are others like us. At this conference I did speak of it and one mother approached me afterwards and thanked me for my comment. She thought she couldn't be an unschooler, she wasn't relating to this style. She realized she could be one, one like us. So I am starting this blog to connect to the others like us...I know you are out there. Welcome