Wisdom, Motivation and Lessons

The word education must not be understood in the sense of teaching, but of assisting the psychological development of a child. - Maria Montessori

I love the way she explains the development of the "whole" child. Facilitating is a much more appropriate word than teach is anyway.

It is not enough for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the universe. She must prepare herself, and truly work at it. - Maria Montessori

A teacher must be aware of what she is trying to facilitate and I believe that is what Montessori is saying. It is not enough just to love the child. You must be able to lead their learning in the right direction.

When we strengthen families, we ultimately strengthen the community. Our goal is that parents everywhere work with positive providers, feel confident in their parenting role, and form strong resilient attachments with their children. - T. Berry Brazelton

Our true goal should be in forming strong and supportive families.

After a brief time out, pick up the child to love him afterward. This is hard to do, but critical. As you rock him and hold him, tell him you're sorry that its so hard to learn self-control. I love you, but I can't let you behave this way. When you learn to stop yourself, I won't have to stop you anymore. - T. Berry Brazelton

This is such important advice for so many parents who are so reluctant to exert any authority. It should be printed on diaper bags and billboards!

Personal Childhood Web

In reference to my personal childhood web.......I know it is not what was expected, but it is all I have. There was only ONE person who took care of me while I was young. My grandmother. I don't have any pictures of her except in my head! She will always feel like she is a part of me. A very important part of me!

Personal Childhood Web

I wish there were five people I could name that nurtured or cared about me when I was a child....

The first and really only person who comes to my mind is my grandmother. She raised me and cared for me until she passed away when I was 11 years old. She was sweet, loving, caring and nurturing. I was devastated when she left my life. But, no one comforted me or explained anything to me. I just knew she was gone. She made me feel special and always had time just for me and would take me on shopping trips on the bus with her. It made me feel very important. She walked me to school when I started school, and would come to walk back home with me when I was in kindergarten. I could always depend on her. She never disappointed me. She taught me how to crochet and how to cook, iron and lots of domestic "duties" I would need later in my life.
I think that my favorite memory of her was sitting on her lap while she was rocking me in her chair. I know she truly impacted me and my life because I am nothing like my mother, but I hope I embody my grandmother's good qualities that she impressed on my from an early age. I spent LOTS of time with my boys. I tried to always be there for them and attend all their important life events.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

I posted this last night and don't know where in cyberspace it is! This is a book I read to my boys as they were growing up.....it mimicked the dynamics of our lives pretty much at that time. I gave each boy a copy of the book for their 18th birthdays.

Got to love Magic Johnson!

"All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who belives in them."- Earvin "Magic" Johnson






I "borrowed" this quote from Katara because I love it! It speaks volumes to me! Thanks Katara!

First Post...

For the sheer delight of doing this...................I am doing it!