For days where I’m looking for every excuse not to go…
{ 0 comments }
I’m not sure I fully understood what I was signing up for but I did it. I’ve committed to a 40 day Revolution. I had a lot of reasons for wanting to do this – primarily to get in better shape and to carve out some much needed time for myself. Going into it, last Monday, I was nervous about a couple of things: 1) I had never done hot yoga before and 2) would I be able to physically make it to the studio 5 days a week plus practice one day at home?
After my first hot yoga experience I can add another concern to my list: the physical demands and challenges of Hot Power Vinyasa Yoga. I really jumped into this having very limited experience for what I was in for. During that first class it occurred to me that I’ve hardly practiced yoga… really. I did ONE yoga class at a reputable studio that Sting was said to have visited while in Toronto, when I was in my early 20s and prenatal yoga during each of my pregnancies… this class was hard core in comparison to prenatal yoga! Likely the most physically challenged I’ve ever felt. Up there with my two natural childbirth experiences!
My goals became: get through the class, try your best, go for it and remember this is time for just you.
Yoga is just one part of this program. Nutrition, meditation and personal reflection are the other areas of focus. In our first class we were asked to consider two things. What are you committed to ‘letting go of’ and what are you committed to having a ‘breakthrough in’. For me, I am committed to letting go of high expectations. I am committed to finding a balance in my life. Part of that most definitely includes my commitment to making time for creativity.
It’s Day 4. It’s exciting, scary, exhausting, challenging.
I’ll end this post with a video I found of a yoga class. I think I’ll follow this for the day I practice at home.. since I’m not sure I’m ready for podcast only just yet.
{ 0 comments }
Do yo ever get into a trance like state as you walk through certain stores that inspire you? That’s what happens to me when I walk through a bookstore. Last time there, as I walked down the main aisle, I was captivated by a number of beautiful cover designs that spoke to me… a few I was familiar with but many, I hadn’t seen before.
Then I looked up and saw this…
Ah ha! No wonder I was so enthralled with every single book on this table!
Some titles I found here:
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
The Innovator’s Cookbook by Steven Johnson
The Brain Training Revolution by Paul E. Bendheim
Wreck this Journal by Keri Smith
After deciding to pick up Unstuck by Noah Scalin (which I’m LOVING) I walked around to the other side of the table… Live Creative.. very clever.
{ 0 comments }
A beautiful heart warming video that captures the essence of what we want for our children: “to love learning, to be innovative problem solvers, read for pleasure, write with expression and be kind and thoughtful souls.” Mariah Bruehl of Playful Learning provides ideas, guidance and above all inspiration and motivation to parents and caregivers to create thoughtful learning spaces for children.
An equally inspiring video promotes the Playful Learning Spaces E-Course. Gives me goosebumps every time I watch it! It’s a wonderful message to parents that “there are little things we can do that make a BIG difference.”
I had the pleasure of taking the Playful Learning Spaces class a couple of months ago and fully enjoyed the process of thinking through the spaces in my home. Week by week we focused on creating different areas in the home for children to engage in reading, writing, art, music, science and nature. Since I tend to ‘collect’ a lot of ‘stuff’ I especially benefited from the discussion around organization and storage with the advice “less is best” which quickly became my mantra. In fact, while my intent with taking this course was to better organize spaces in my home for my children, I promptly found myself organizing all areas in our home using the tips and strategies provided.
At the start of the course we were challenged to select an area in our homes or classrooms that was referred to as ‘The Big One’ to transform using the strategies and ideas provided in the course.
My ‘Big One’ was a much needed overhaul of my storage/craft space.
BEFORE:
Truth be told, I didn’t intend on actually tackling this project. Just looking at this picture gives me a headache! But towards the end of the course we decided to put our house up for sale which promptly forced me to clean out the space and put the ideas learned in the Playful Learning Spaces E-Course into action.
What a difference!
AFTER:
Feels good to have it all sorted and organized!
{ 0 comments }
I’ve always enjoyed time lapse videos. A couple of things strike me about this video made by filmmaker Frans Hofmeester, of his daughter from birth up until she turned 12 years old. First, the sequencing of short video snippets edited into this 2 minute 45 second video is a reminder of how quickly our children grow up! Sometimes it feels like the days and weeks are flashing by as captured and edited on film here. Secondly, it’s amazing how in a few short seconds per clip we can get a glimpse into the development of little Lotte and a real feel for her personality as she blossoms into this little girl.
Talk about personality, check out the video of his son too.
Lastly, you can’t watch these videos and not consider the dedication and time it would take to consistently hold a little film shoot every single week for 12 years! A great example of how staying true to a vision pays off nicely in the end… and it’s not over yet!
{ 0 comments }
The other day I was in a specialty baby and kids toy store when I overheard the store clerk offer to help a customer find a gift for a new baby. The conversation caught my attention because I heard the woman say “I’m one of those grandmothers who doesn’t believe in toys that do too much.” This peaked my interest because I too try* (sometimes unsuccessfully) to avoid toys that take the creativity out of play. But it’s what she said next that got me thinking: “Overstimulating babies with these toys is what causes learning disabilities. All of that stimulation interferes with brain connections which is what causes dyslexia etc.”
This topic has been on my mind ever since which is why when I came across Dimitri Christakis’ TEDx talk, Media and Children, I watched intently looking for the answer to the above theory. While he doesn’t make any claims about the correlation between toys and learning disabilities, he discusses studies focusing on media stimulation on young minds. He asks, “What about too much brain stimulation? Or inappropriately stimulate the brain?” I encourage you to watch his talk and consider the consequences of too much media and being selective about what they watch.
Key points:
- Early childhood for children is critical to their development
- More real time play; less fast-paced media
- Change the beginning and you change the whole story!
{ 0 comments }
Here’s a wonderful informational site about supporting the natural development of children. Aid to Life offers clear and simple approaches for parents to follow for children ages zero to three.
Three key points highlighted on the homepage worth noting:
1. Create an environment that provides a rich learning environment this is appropriate to your child’s needs, at each stage of development.
2. Connect your child so that she can engage in developmental activity.
3. Make time for your child to do things in her own way and at her own pace.
Excellent information on this site!
Before I go, want to highlight this article as well. If you’re only going to read one thing about parenting a young child, I’d say this is it. Serves as a great reminder for all. Ten things you can do at home to support your child’s growth in self-discipline.
{ 0 comments }
A great talk by Mark Melymick on Creativity. Covers the subject of creativity and his approach to creativity for teachers and parents alike. Using the acronym peA, he describes what it stands for:
Promote creativity. Model it.
Encourage. Allow and encourage students to ask questions.
ALLOW IT. The secret to teaching creativity.. you can’t ‘teach it’, just allow it. Allow students to be passionate about what they’re learning.
“Every single student can be creative.”
{ 1 comment }
I sort of feel like I’ve reconnected with an old friend! Anyone else remember Ze Frank??! His early flash video tutorials used to crack me up. Neatly filed under “educational videos” on his site, this How to Dance Properly was probably one of his first, followed by the Advanced Seminar. My advice to you is another good one for a few laughs! … and Animal Noises for Ella! (Need to show my kids that!)
It’s been a while since I’ve thought about or seen Ze until I came across this video posted on Pinterest under a board called “Happy” 
. It’s true Ze Frank.. wonky, a little crazy but what I also love are the intelligent pieces of advice he provides in an engaging, interesting and powerful way. Some of my favourites lines…
“Let me think about the people that I care about the most and how when they fail or disappoint me I still love them, I still give them chances, and I still see the best in them. Let me extend that generosity to myself.”
“… and let me remember that my courage is a wild dog and won’t just come when I call it. I have to chase it down and hold on as tight as I can.”
“Perfectionism may look good in his shiny shoes, but he’s a little bit of an asshole and no one invites him to their pool parties.”
{ 0 comments }
My first thought when I think about the Montessori method is “how wonderful that kids can have the freedom to follow their interests and curiosities in an environment that is SO rich.” My next thought is usually “I wish I had gone to a Montessori school!!”
For anyone who wants to understand why people are so passionate about Montessori education read this article.
Some key benefit points from the article that highlight the Montessori philosophy:
- Freedom to explore
- Self motivation
- Questioning tradition and always asking ‘Why?’
- Being free to follow curiosities
The best line: “Being a Montessori child is a gift for life.”
{ 0 comments }
