Category: Background Knowledge

A Storybook Trail during Maple Syrup Season

3/25/2021

*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

Have you ever found that you scout out a destination, pile the kids into the car and spend the better part of the day driving to your activity only to come home and then find out that you had one practically in your backyard? Well that’s what recently happened to me. As you probably know by now, I absolutely love books and I also love nature and combining the two is a win-win situation and so, I love storybook walks. I had found a couple in Ohio and then scanning through the Metro Parent magazine one day, I found that there is one right in Chelsea. The Chelsea District Library, in partnership with Washtenaw County parks, puts up a Storybook Trail in Baker Woods Preserve. Because I am homeschooling right now, I thought a storybook trail would make an awesome field trip and get us out in nature, while still learning, and the story being featured just happened to align perfectly with our current subject focus: maple syrup!

Since the beginning of March is when the sap really gets flowing and maple madness begins, my daughter and I visited the maple syrup farm, H&H Sugarbush, in Chelsea during their Michigan Maple weekend to learn firsthand all the ins and outs of tapping trees, boiling sap and making pure maple goodness. We got to walk through the woods to see the taps and lines and then visited the sugarhouse itself to see the huge evaporator. Oh, what a smell! We left with two kinds of syrup (one amber and one dark), maple cream and maple candy and went directly home and made some pancakes.

Then the next day we visited the Storybook Trail mentioned above and they happened to be featuring a book on maple syrup called Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton. In the story you get to join a family as they go about making maple syrup step-by-step, from placing the taps to boiling down the sap. This was a great compliment and finish to our own experience at H&H Surgarbush, as we were able to reflect on all that we had seen as we read the story and explored the trail.

I truly believe that the best way for children, and really anyone, to learn is through first-hand experience and that is what our fieldtrip to H&H Sugarbush Farm provided and the Storybook Trail reinforced all that she saw and learned in a great setting. So look for seasonal goings-on in your area and pair them with a story book for a unique learning opportunity.

Happy learning!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 3 and 1) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

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Learning at Home: More Than Computers & Workbooks

1/30/2021

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*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

Hang tight, parents, we’re halfway there! The word halfway though is very subjective. Could be a good thing and you’re reaching an end point or a bad thing and you’ve left something behind, but either way, you can’t go back and yell, “do over!”

It was in the summer with all this virus mess that I realized that homeschooling was going to be the best option for both my daughter and myself, though not without some stress. Mine, not hers. I tell myself that it’s only kindergarten but know that one always needs a strong foundation to build upon and so these early years do matter, so back to stressing. Then I read a blog from a homeschooling mom who said that if she had to do it all over again, she would relax more, read a ton of books and slow down, basically stopping to smell the roses as the saying goes. Slow down and see the value in the small things not missing opportunities that might pass by. And that’s just what I’ve done. I’ve slowed down and look for the everyday teachable moments that might be turned into extended learning opportunities and the end result has been a happier child filled with curiosity and imagination, excited to learn.

I can’t redo the first half of her “school year,” but I’m not sure that I would want to because making the changes that I have has shown me just how unimaginative and limiting sitting in front of a computer screen and filling out worksheets can be and that learning doesn’t have to be just during the hours of 8:00 to 3:00. I haven’t given up all computer work and still offer worksheets and wipe clean boards but I’ve been reading books throughout the day and have found that learning can also take place when you least expect it. For example:

Playing games – card and board games like Monopoly (my five-year-old daughter’s favorite if you can believe it), Uno, Rummy, Scrabble, etc. involve math and reading, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, as well as a bit of planning ahead and plotting. Hmm...should I worry about the plotting and planning part?

Movies – can be a great history lesson. During the month of December, I drag out all the Christmas movies and one of my favorites is Meet Me in St. Louis. My daughter and I watched it together and it generated a whole plethora of questions and much discussion ensued. We talked about fashions of that period (she was particularly fascinated with the corset and declared her gratefulness that women no longer have to wear them), the crank wall telephone, ice delivery, doctor house calls, homemade ketchup and that crazy Halloween scene. Still don’t know what that one was about.

Baking and/or cooking – our kitchen adventures always turn into a lesson, sometimes positive and sometimes uh, not-so-sure-about that taste, but they all still involve some math, a bit of science and a dash of creativity. Just recently we experimented with the Babycakes Cake Pop Maker my daughter received for Christmas. Boy, oh boy was that a true kitchen adventure! Almost a Lucy and Ethel moment, but fun and educational nonetheless. The activity confirmed that I will never be a Pinterest perfect mom, ha.

Hiking – my daughter and I both love to be outdoors and so whenever we take a walk or hike, I’ve been bringing along nature identification books or she brings her camera and then we identify the various plants, insects or critters in the photos she took when we get home. This sparks lively discussions and more in depth research about animal homes, diets and habits, the best environments for certain types of plants (she is quite fascinated by fungus, particularly coral and puff ball mushrooms), birds and what their eggs look like (after finding shells at the end of summer) and much, much more.

Internet – research tells us to limit screen time for children and that reading comprehension takes a dive when reading on a screen, but I’m one of those people that turns to Google when I wonder about something. When my daughter and I see something new or are just curious about a topic, I Google it for the information and for the photos to show her. Just last week we got into a discussion about fashion, specifically the differences between a shawl, stole, and Spencer jacket and what a bustle is, while doing an Usborne Activities Sticker Dolly Dressing book. A visual is always helpful to enhance understanding and make connections. I also like to look things up on YouTube, like recently watching how maple syrup is made. I know that she’s taking it in because she pointed out the maple trees in our area that are already tapped for sap.

Books – of course my world always includes books and so I’ve started reading to my daughter at various times throughout the day, not just at bedtime. It has become a habit to pull out books that are related to different questions and discussions that crop up throughout the day. Sitting down to share a story doesn't take very long, but it reinforces my daughter's learning and helps us create a stronger bond through books. I’ve also subscribed to Vooks, 'a streaming service for kids where books come to life,' which has led us to discover new titles we may not have otherwise found.

These are just a few of the things that I’ve been doing with my daughter that shows me how her curious mind fuels her thirst for knowledge and how excited she gets to find the answers, and as we say that we are lifelong learners, I too have been learning new things when we do our searches. Don’t ever be afraid to tell your children that you don’t know something. It shows them that learning is a life long process and that we all can learn something new, as well as how to go about finding an answer to their question.

“Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.”

Happy learning!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

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The Protégé Effect: Do, Repeat, Teach, Learn

1/17/2020

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*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

If you are a parent of a young child, you know that they are continually growing both in stature and in cognition and therefore, ability. Like any construction project that needs a strong foundation, brains are also built upon a strong foundation and a child’s experiences and interactions help to make their foundation solid. During early childhood, the brain undergoes a series of extraordinary changes with connections forming between the brain cells at a rapid pace. Connections that are regularly used will be kept and those that are not will be eliminated. Because children are learning everyday through experiences, it is important to offer a variety of experiences to learn from as well as repeated experiences. Repetition helps children develop and master new skills as well as allowing them to construct meaning of their world and how they fit into it. Repetition promotes learning and can also be achieved through daily tasks and routines such as making meals and baking in the kitchen. Introduce learning in the kitchen through:

Numbers and math through weights and measures
Literacy through books about baking and cooking and reading recipes
Creative exploration through new ingredients and recipes
Tactile experiences through kneading dough and the feel of various fruits and vegetables
Vocabulary through a discussion of what you are making

While adults crave variety, preschoolers thrive on repetition. When preschoolers do things over and over again, they develop and master new skills while also constructing new understandings of their world. Think of how people master a new skill such as baking or playing a musical instrument. It takes repetition and practice. As preschoolers repeat and practice a variety of skills, they build their proficiency in those skills, which in turn leads to greater self-confidence.

Working in the kitchen also teaches children about cause and effect. Sometimes a recipe might not turn out the way you thought because a step was missed, measured incorrectly or misunderstood. A child can learn from the mishap and repeating the recipe will help them to master the task and allow for success, building confidence and self-esteem. It will also demonstrate to a child that their actions have consequences, both positive and negative. A fun watch to include might be 'Little Bear and the Cupcakes' where Emily and Little Bear’s muffins turn out hard as rocks because they forgot to add baking powder.

Another way that learning occurs in the kitchen that has a pedagogical association is learning by teaching and we aren’t talking about the parent as the teacher but your child. When a child becomes the teacher, understanding is on a deeper level because the child has taken ownership of their learning. This has also been termed the protégé effect, “a psychological phenomenon where teaching, pretending to teach, or preparing to teach information to others helps a person learn that information.” I remember watching my mother in the kitchen and then later as an adult thought, “no problem, I can handle that” only to discover that it wasn’t working out the way I thought it would. But when I had to do it myself and explain to another what I did or how to do it, it stuck in my mind because I had to struggle to gain an understanding of it and make it clear enough in my mind to explain it to my own child. First hand knowledge is always the best and when someone can explain it and teach it to another, a deeper understanding has been gained and perhaps has even allowed that person to see it in a new way putting a whole new twist on it, fueling the imagination. So, as you cook with your child, have them explain to you what they are doing and why and make sure that you offer opportunities for pretend play to extend the learning.

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth learning can be taught.”
Oscar Wilde

I often find my own daughter in her play kitchen explaining to her dolls and stuffed animals how to make pizza or pancakes or something that we have done in the kitchen. She gathers her ingredients and asks each one what they want on it or in it as the case may be and then she goes on to explain what she needs to make it and how she is making it and voila, she has created her own masterpiece that she proudly displays on her small plates. I find it amusing but then I think, she’s really learning. Her pretend play extends to real world life skills. It’s all about the actual experience of doing.

Just remember that when in the kitchen:

Messes will happen
Children need to use their hands for a sensory experience and learning
Errors are a learning experience and can create a deeper understanding of why and how
Children are not on the same time schedule as you are. Slow down and make it enjoyable
Don’t underestimate your child just because of their age
Allowing your child to “teach” you leads to greater understanding
Connecting a recipe to a story or cooking to music includes literacy along with singing and movement, aiding in the development of the brain.

**We like to think that the warm memories might also include a dad, a grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling. Happy memory making!**

Happy cooking!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

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Clues & Literacy: The New Blue's Clues & You

12/3/2019

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Anyone with young children watching Nickelodeon recently has most likely seen the exuberant Josh with Blue the dog on the new Blue’s Clues & You show, based on Blue's Clues. Not being the bubbly sort, I was wondering as I watched the ads, will today’s children truly respond to this cheery man and his dog and the answer is apparently yes and in a positive way. From the first episode we watched, my 4-year-old daughter was glued to Blue and her clues, responding aloud to the questions, keeping an eye out for the clues and finding her own notebook to write the clues in and draw the pictures of Mr. Salt, Mrs. Pepper and others.

My daughter's drawing of Blue and Josh in her notebook.

What we at BTBL have felt is essential for early literacy is vocabulary and background knowledge. I have tried to expose my daughter to many new experiences and read to her on a daily basis from the day she was born; poems, nursery rhymes, fairy tales and various story books. A parent never knows if what they are doing is actually making a difference but as I sat with my daughter watching an episode of Blue’s Clues & You, I was rewarded to see that yes, it is sinking in.

In looking for clues to the book Blue wants to read, the audience finds a moon, and I’m thinking Goodnight Moon but then the second clue is a cow and my daughter immediately says Hey Diddle Diddle, and proceeded to recite the nursery rhyme and lo and behold, the next clue was the word jump and she was correct. After reading research about the importance of children hearing and learning nursery rhymes, I have continuously read them to my daughter and so it was gratifying to see that they are now a part of her well of stored knowledge.

Seeing my daughter’s positive reaction to the show Blue’s Clues & You, I was curious about the show itself and found an article from 2002 written by Dr. Alice Wilder titled Literacy for Preschoolers: The Blue’s Clues Way. Wilder states that “so much of what a preschooler does every day involves literacy-related skills,” from exploring and making meaning out of what they do and learning and using new vocabulary words to role-playing and learning to think for themselves and understanding others’ points of view. Wilder goes on to say that “at Blue’s Clues, we understand that these sorts of literacy-related skills are important to a child’s future success as a reader. Blue’s Clues has two basic philosophical tenets when it comes to literacy for preschoolers. First, it is essential to expose children to stories, conversations, and the value of books and writing as well as provide a rich and stimulating language environment. Second, children need a balance of whole language and phonics instruction in order to learn to be a reader—one has to want to read in order to sit down with text, and one has to be able to sound out words in order to decode that text.”

Further reading brought me to an article in the New York Times: 'Blue's Clues' Returns, and Silence Is Still the Star. Blue's Clues was specifically designed with the preschooler in mind. One of the creators, Angela Santomero (who holds a master's degree in Child Developmental Psychology), says, "We wanted to do something very simple and graphic and slow. Something where preschoolers were treated like they were smart, and felt empowered, emphasizing those social emotional skills." The pauses and moments of silence throughout the show allow for interactivity, giving preschoolers a chance to play along with Blue, while working on early literacy, as well as social emotional skills and even kindergarten readiness. At the time, this was a completely new concept and paved the way for other educational shows. The new Blue's Clues & You sticks to this structure and from what I've seen first hand with my own daughter, it works.

These basic tenets of early childhood literacy have been with us for many years yet it seems that experts and educators are always searching for new ways to instruct children in reading instead of relying on the tried and true methods and the result has been declining reading scores. So, my suggestion is to go back to basics eschewing the digital gadgets and embrace the pen and notebook and help your child to search for clues to literacy.

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

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Back to school means...

8/15/2019

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Memories? Hectic schedules? A moment to yourself? All of those things? For some that first day of school or that first day back to school can be bittersweet. While we want to see our children move forward in independence, we also lament the loss of the sweet smell of infancy. What we as parents need to remember though is that we are not handing our children over to teachers to raise but instead increasing the circle of caring individuals that will contribute their knowledge and experience towards a well-rounded child with potential to conquer the world. While we tell children to dream big, we need to give them experiences that let them see the possibilities and when first hand experiences aren’t possible, we feel that the next best thing is reading and books. Books can reveal new worlds and different cultures and expose children to the potential that exists in the world.

“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”
C.S. Lewis

*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing

The 12 Days of Preschool by Jenna Lettice

Preschool, Here I Come! by David J. Steinberg

Pete the Kitty's First Day of Preschool by Kimberly & James Dean

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing

The 12 Days of Kindergarten by Jenna Lettice

Kindergarten, Here I Come! by David J. Steinberg

Curious George's First Day of School by H. A. Rey

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff

Refer back to our previous blog September: Back to School & Library Card Sign-up Month for a list of additional picture books with a back to school theme!

Because children will need to read throughout their educational careers and beyond, it is important to create a positive association with books and reading. With the beginning of school and its focus on testing, we like to see children get excited about filling their lives with new knowledge from books and learning to read. Reading a variety of books will help build background knowledge and the act of sitting and listening to a story will increase focus and attention which will assist them as they prepare for the classroom. If you don’t have a large library in your home, visit your public library, local bookstore or used book sales for your child to find what interests them. Let them continue to explore because what appealed last year may not appeal any longer or they may be looking to branch out to something new. There is no finite number of interests. Don’t hold them back or try to lead them to what you, your spouse or their siblings have an interest in. Remember that each child is their own person with a unique personality and interests. Also know that the best learning sometimes comes from just talking. Take the time to discuss your child’s day, what they learned, what they are reading etc. Ask open-ended questions and allow your child to run with it, even if it heads off on a totally different tangent. Sometimes the best discussions and learning opportunities come from just such moments and creates a lasting bond and memories.

Happy reading as you get back to school!

-Kate @ BTBL

Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 3) for Kate, a son (now 1) and another little boy expected this year for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.

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Back to Basics

A Storybook Trail during Maple Syrup Season

Author

Learning at Home: More Than Computers & Workbooks

“Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.”

Author

The Protégé Effect: Do, Repeat, Teach, Learn

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth learning can be taught.”
Oscar Wilde

Author

Clues & Literacy: The New Blue's Clues & You

Author

Back to school means...

“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”
C.S. Lewis

Author

Author

Archives

Categories

Back to Basics

A Storybook Trail during Maple Syrup Season

Author

Learning at Home: More Than Computers & Workbooks

“Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.”

Author

The Protégé Effect: Do, Repeat, Teach, Learn

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth learning can be taught.” Oscar Wilde

Author

Clues & Literacy: The New Blue's Clues & You

Author

Back to school means...

“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” C.S. Lewis

Author

Author

Archives

Categories

“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth learning can be taught.”
Oscar Wilde

“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”
C.S. Lewis