Advice is Like Snow......

“Advice is like snow - the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper in sinks into the mind”. - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have been mentored and encouraged by many thoughtful and supportive colleagues, professors and friends. Each has helped shape me into the person I am today, and each has offered me ‘bits of wisdom’ [i.e. advice] from which I rely on daily. A few of the significant pieces that I find myself repeating internally are: “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” “When your children are little, the days are so long, but the years are so short.”

“You must confront issues directly, but you cannot do so until you are emotionally ready.” “You have two ears and one mouth - one of those is able to close for a reason.” “Every parent, no matter how rich or how poor, only wants the best for their children, and for their child’s life to be better than their own.” One of the things all of us need to always remember is to always be ready, willing and able to ask for, accept, and listen to advice when it is given. The decision to follow advice is up to the individual. The one thing I have always found to be true regarding advice is that if it is given gently, and softly, the person on the receiving end has opportunity to ponder and determine the relevance and benefit. Whether it is an adult giving advice to a child, or a colleague advising a peer, each of us need to learn to listen and reflect before we react. It is also always important that each of us remember to receive advice graciously - even though you may not want it at the moment - accept graciously, because one day you may really need it - and if you have rejected it once, it may be difficult to obtain in the future. This is my advice to you - and it is the result of learning the lesson the hard way.

I have also found this approach to be very helpful in other situations. Reacting too quickly or too emotionally only ends in misunderstanding, hurt feelings, and regret. I know that whether or not we agree with one another at all times, I do know that, as a community, we respect each person’s contribution and view. Again, constant agreement is not the issue - provocation, questioning, and challenging are all productive and important dynamics to help any organization grow, prosper, and remain relevant as the world and society change around it.

“It is the child who makes the man, and no man exists who was not made by the child he once was.” - Maria Montessori

“Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all.” – Erik Erikson

The Social Development of our Children The quotes above point out the fact that humans are social creatures and that social interaction is not only important, it is imperative for our development. We cannot learn in isolation. The richness and variety of our experiences with others is what helps us build our knowledge and guides our growth. A very important scholar on the subject of social development is Erik Erikson. He and his work have been very influential in my philosophy of education, my practice, and especially my parenting. His theory has helped me on many occasions as a teacher, principal and as a parent, in explaining and clarifying the motivation for a child’s or an adult’s behavior [his theory spans the entire life cycle] or the feeling behind their response or reaction to an encounter. Of course, I am not expecting everyone to agree with this one theory, but I am confident you will find many truths as you are reflecting on your own development, and as you observe what each of your children is experiencing at this point in their lives. I am including a link to a brief YouTube video to help explain quickly: Erikson's Stages of Development. There is also a much longer, very dated, but iconic video entitled “Everyone Rides the Carousel” Included below is a partial outline of Erikson’s Framework: Trust vs. Mistrust – Birth to 18 Months – children develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide dependable and reliable care and consistent affection. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt – 2 to 3 years – Strong need to develop a sense of personal control – physically and socially. The need for independence is high, success brings autonomy, failure brings shame and doubt. Initiative vs. Guilt – 3 to 5 years – Preschool – Exploration of world around them. Asserting control and power over their environment is a priority. Success breeds a sense of purpose. Failure develops into confusion and low self-esteem. Industry vs. Inferiority – 6 to 11 years – Elementary School – There are many new academic and social demands placed on the child during this time. Success allows a sense of competency, while failure leads to low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority. Identity vs. Role Confusion – 12 to 18 years – Adolescents need to develop a sense of self and personal identity in order to continue to build a strong sense of self and understanding of their place in the world.

Winter Fun at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center - in our Outdoor Learning Environment

Math Night Images - January 15, 2014

BALANCE

GAMES

MEASURING

PATTERN BLOCKS The staff, students and families of the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center had a wonderful time last week sharing our knowledge and exploring math concepts and materials. Thank you to Ms. Scarbrough and Miss Harmony for organizing this great event! We look forward to our Literacy Night coming up next week - January 29th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm! Hope to see everyone there! Peace, Miss M

Documentation of Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Activities and Events

Dear Friends and Followers of the GRCDC - as we all prepare for a much needed break - I send the following photographs of our events, milestones, work, learning and play of the past few months. Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays and a joyous New Year. - emm

Studio Time working with clay

Collaboration comes in many forms

Tools and Materials

Fall Provocation with Japanese Maple Branches - Acer Japonica

K-1st Study of Emotions

Studio Weaving Study

Spirituality and the Reggio-Emilia Approach at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

“The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different.” - Mahatma Gandhi Religion is present in the thoughts of many members of our community at this time of year, but for different reasons. Each of us observes different holidays, celebrations, rituals and traditions. Our school is no different. Like a church, a school is not the building in which it is housed; it is the people, the community, that give it identity and purpose. The members of the community work together, believing in overarching principles, which enable us to reach our common goals. The Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is founded on the principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach which is founded on spiritual awareness, but not religion. Our school observes this aspect of the approach in many ways, chief among them the Image of the Child, but also through acceptance, respect and acknowledgement of all personal family viewpoints and beliefs. For this reason, the school, since its inception has made an intentional decision to celebrate the seasons not holidays. This does not mean anyone is censored or unable to practice their faith individually, but as a community we focus on nature and the traditions central to the times of the year. -emm

Parental Involvement at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

“Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.”- David Star Jordan Parental Involvement at the GRCDC: I am asked by parents on an almost daily basis, “what can I do to help?” Each time I am asked I smile, because I know there are hundreds of things parents can do to help, and I know all I have to do is ask, and the help will be there. We are very fortunate that we have such involved and interested parents, and that the involvement of our parents is exceptional. I realize that when a parents asks me this it helps me realize that while the needs are obvious to those of us here each and every day, they are not always so clear to parents who have very busy lives, careers, other children, and sometimes school of their own. I always try to take a step back and remember what it was like for me when my four now grown children were in elementary school. It was difficult, as a young mother, when my oldest child started school, to know how to “break in” and volunteer. It was intimidating, even as friendly and welcoming as the school was, there was still the uncertainty of, “do I know enough?”, “who do I contact?”, “what do I have to offer?”. While it was scary, I conquered my fear, and noticed a request in the school newsletter for someone to help with hallway bulletin boards. I saw this as my chance and took it on. From that experience grew many years of helping with classroom parties, painting signs for the football team, helping at the Ice Cream Social, and many other school events. I am also a single parent, and have worked full-time since my daughter was 2 years old. It has always been a struggle to find the time to help, but I have done it because it was important for my children and for me. The friends and memories I have made along the way have been lovely benefits of my involvement in my children’s education. Many of our parent volunteers are here because they noticed a need and asked if they could help out. For example, Israel Gentry, father of Belli, Discovery C and Victoria, Discovery E, stands guard at the back entrance every morning, making sure the children get in the building safely, you may even see him shoveling snow off the steps in the winter months. This was his suggestion, and it is such a comfort knowing that if I cannot make it to breakfast, Mr. Israel will be there. Currently, we are looking for volunteers for the following: - Winter Celebration – December 20th – contact Sara Dews, Discovery F - School Improvement Team Members – contact Erin Melcher - Health and Sex Education Curriculum Advisory Board – contact Erin Melcher - Breakfast, Lunch and Recess Support – Contact your child’s Discovery for times - Fundraising Committee – contact Erin Melcher - Diversity Week – February - contact Sana Amash and Molly Swartz, Discovery B - Open House – March – contact Anne Rasch and Molly Parker, Discovery A - Portfolio Day – April – contact Peg Jefchak and Andrew Kleinschmit, Discovery D - End-of-Year-Celebration – June – contact Brooke Streu, Discovery E The first step is the most difficult, but I encourage everyone to take that step, go to a Family Team meeting, reach out to another parent in your child’s class, check out the school Facebook page, come eat breakfast or lunch with your child, and by all means – never be afraid to ask or offer.