When they were handing out talents, I must have been outside writing bad poetry or hot glueing glitter when it came time for musical ability. I play albums really well, and was one heckuva DJ, but I can't sing or play an instrument.
Unless you count the tambourine. Then I'm a rock star.
My son, on the other hand, sings beautifully. When he was 4, we got him a keyboard to bang around on. It was the best money I spent on a toy, ever. He recently started piano lessons, in a formal setting. I'm completely giddy about it, because I know he's got the talent, acumen & skill. It's channeling it correctly.
My son had been born with severely crossed eyes, and he had struggled for years with hand eye coordination.piano lessons are another way to strengthen that skill. Studies have shown that kids who take piano also perform better on math and reading tests, and have longer attention spans than their non pianist peers.
Anything to give my kiddo a boost,
I too took piano, as did the princess. U really had no ability but having to practice instilled discipline and helped me to set goals. I hope that those practical life skills translate to the Little Man's life.
In the meantime, he's learning the basics and seeing how far he could push the envelope with his teacher.
One day, he may be the piano man.
Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity. Margaret D. Nadauld
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Friday, September 07, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Icarus
Its back to school time, and in a few short days my Little Man will be a fourth grader. I am amazed at how fast time flies as he grows up.
Back to school always makes me giddy. I loved school as a child, and to this day I still love learning. During my 20’s and into my 30’s, I took full advantage of all that Princeton University had to offer for community lectures and classes. I belonged to several book groups. I took classes at the community school, and cooking classes at Williams Sonoma. I thirsted after knowledge. After I got married, due to the newlywed bliss, I stopped chasing after lifelong learning. As time went on, I read less and went thirsty. Becoming a mother, I focused on my child learning, and became increasingly parched.
Its only fairly recently that I realized that I miss learning new skills. I miss the opportunity to conquer the unknown. I miss making me better.
I don’t quite know why I stopped growing and learning. I think part of me was afraid that if I did, I wouldn’t fit into the little wife box that I put myself in. Part of it also was that I wanted to spend every waking moment with my beloved, and I couldn’t bear to be apart, and then it just grew into homeostasis. I was afraid that I might change too much, and no longer be recognizable. I clipped my own wings.
Now, I am not as needed by my child. He is more mature. He reminds me he is a tween, and therefore capable of doing things ALL BY HIMSELF. He doesn’t need me to help with the day to day things that even six months ago I was needed for. I have been replaced by independence. Of course, I am still needed to help with long division and fractions and checking homework. Once upon a time, we would lie together on a blanket on the floor, with his head on my stomach, both reading a book. I couldn’t tell you the last book I really read and enjoyed. I don’t have the mental capacity or veracity to do so.
There are many things that used to be beloved that have been shed, like a hermit crab sheds his old shell, yet no new home has been found. Yet.
After breaking my leg, I have had THE TIME to think, and remember, and reminisce. I miss learning new things. I miss my crossword puzzles, and reading new books, and learning new things. Even if I didn’t like the book group’s selection, I loved being able to discuss why I didn’t like it. These are very much part of me, the same as sinew and bone. I need to continue to learn, challenge myself and grow. Homeostasis works but for a fleeting moment, at least in the Dee-niverse. So I am in search of opportunities to flap my wings and fly. I downloaded some apps, printed a few crossword puzzles and put on my big girl panties. I will indeed soar.
Back to school always makes me giddy. I loved school as a child, and to this day I still love learning. During my 20’s and into my 30’s, I took full advantage of all that Princeton University had to offer for community lectures and classes. I belonged to several book groups. I took classes at the community school, and cooking classes at Williams Sonoma. I thirsted after knowledge. After I got married, due to the newlywed bliss, I stopped chasing after lifelong learning. As time went on, I read less and went thirsty. Becoming a mother, I focused on my child learning, and became increasingly parched.
Its only fairly recently that I realized that I miss learning new skills. I miss the opportunity to conquer the unknown. I miss making me better.
I don’t quite know why I stopped growing and learning. I think part of me was afraid that if I did, I wouldn’t fit into the little wife box that I put myself in. Part of it also was that I wanted to spend every waking moment with my beloved, and I couldn’t bear to be apart, and then it just grew into homeostasis. I was afraid that I might change too much, and no longer be recognizable. I clipped my own wings.
Now, I am not as needed by my child. He is more mature. He reminds me he is a tween, and therefore capable of doing things ALL BY HIMSELF. He doesn’t need me to help with the day to day things that even six months ago I was needed for. I have been replaced by independence. Of course, I am still needed to help with long division and fractions and checking homework. Once upon a time, we would lie together on a blanket on the floor, with his head on my stomach, both reading a book. I couldn’t tell you the last book I really read and enjoyed. I don’t have the mental capacity or veracity to do so.
There are many things that used to be beloved that have been shed, like a hermit crab sheds his old shell, yet no new home has been found. Yet.
After breaking my leg, I have had THE TIME to think, and remember, and reminisce. I miss learning new things. I miss my crossword puzzles, and reading new books, and learning new things. Even if I didn’t like the book group’s selection, I loved being able to discuss why I didn’t like it. These are very much part of me, the same as sinew and bone. I need to continue to learn, challenge myself and grow. Homeostasis works but for a fleeting moment, at least in the Dee-niverse. So I am in search of opportunities to flap my wings and fly. I downloaded some apps, printed a few crossword puzzles and put on my big girl panties. I will indeed soar.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Please Mr Postman
Last night, Little Man and I went to a presentation by the Sioux Falls Stamp Club that was held at our local library. I was about my son's age when I started collecting stamps myself, and it continued into my early teens.
I actually was part of a long line of stamp collectors. My great grandparents and grandfather collected European stamps, my mother and aunt also had stamp collections. So, Little Man will be carrying on a family tradition.
It's fairly easy to get started, with very little investment. To begin you need:
Stamps
An album
Tongs or tweezers
Hinges to mount stamps
There are a variety of albums, from using a photo album, to a stock book to more expensive albums. When I was collecting, I used a hard bound sketch book. Hinges are how you mount stamps in your album, and are like photo mounts for a scrapbook.
There are a variety of stamps to collect. Some people collect only US postage, others collect world stamps, or themes like butterflies (as a gentleman last night did. He had a fascinating collection) or, as my son suggested, cars.
It was so exciting to see my son jazzed about something that excited me when I was about the same age. I liked learning about the different countries or people featured on the stamps, and I think it would be a great learning experience for him too!
I actually was part of a long line of stamp collectors. My great grandparents and grandfather collected European stamps, my mother and aunt also had stamp collections. So, Little Man will be carrying on a family tradition.
It's fairly easy to get started, with very little investment. To begin you need:
Stamps
An album
Tongs or tweezers
Hinges to mount stamps
There are a variety of albums, from using a photo album, to a stock book to more expensive albums. When I was collecting, I used a hard bound sketch book. Hinges are how you mount stamps in your album, and are like photo mounts for a scrapbook.
There are a variety of stamps to collect. Some people collect only US postage, others collect world stamps, or themes like butterflies (as a gentleman last night did. He had a fascinating collection) or, as my son suggested, cars.
It was so exciting to see my son jazzed about something that excited me when I was about the same age. I liked learning about the different countries or people featured on the stamps, and I think it would be a great learning experience for him too!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Object lessons
Learning doesn't just happen in school. I look for opportunities to incorporate it in every day activities. When my son was younger, we spent an hour or so everyday doing arts and crafts, reading and learning and he had no idea.
Grocery shopping was a great place to teach colors, shapes, comparisons and healthy eating. Now that my son is older we discuss money management and budgeting when we shop.
Once a month we go to the Kirby Science Center at the Washington Pavilion. It's a hands on museum, and it's helped him to love science and want to learn more. In fact, he's entering their science fair because of what he's learned going there.
Gardening is another pursuit we do together that is a great learning tool. Planting seeds, watching them grow, harvesting them are terrific educational opportunities.
The time we spend taking care of our pets is another great learning time. Feeding them, brushing them and walking our dog are all chances to learn outside of school. The neighborhood nature walks alone are priceless.
There are so many different ways to teach where kids don't realize it!
Grocery shopping was a great place to teach colors, shapes, comparisons and healthy eating. Now that my son is older we discuss money management and budgeting when we shop.
Once a month we go to the Kirby Science Center at the Washington Pavilion. It's a hands on museum, and it's helped him to love science and want to learn more. In fact, he's entering their science fair because of what he's learned going there.
Gardening is another pursuit we do together that is a great learning tool. Planting seeds, watching them grow, harvesting them are terrific educational opportunities.
The time we spend taking care of our pets is another great learning time. Feeding them, brushing them and walking our dog are all chances to learn outside of school. The neighborhood nature walks alone are priceless.
There are so many different ways to teach where kids don't realize it!
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