My Philosophy
There are four central tenets behind how I attempt to nurture and raise happy, healthy, and balanced children. These form the cornerstone of how I parent and influence many, if not all, of the parenting “choices” made daily. There is no handbook for parents, and each child is intrinsically different from a sibling or the child next door. I build on these four main ideas in my parenting, my teaching, and in life. Get outside, embrace the mess, move your body every day, and read a thing or two about human development, human emotion, and how humans learn.
Nature as the Classroom
The environment as a teacher is a guiding principal of many early childhood education philosophies. And nature has so much to teach. Exposing children to nature, the weather, natural sciences, and some of the best “toys” of all time – mud and a stick – is integral to raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted humans. In nature, we can learn self-regulation that calms our bodies, minds, and spirits. We learn about the earth, seasons, change, and letting go. We learn to embrace what we have, to be present, and to be thankful. As Brené Brown states, if we want to be happier humans, it starts with gratitude. I find it easier to be thankful when there is less stuff, less distraction, and less noise, don’t you?
The Reggio
Philosophy
Embrace messy play! Reggio had a similar start to Montessori, coming out of Post-WWII Italy. A major philosophy of Reggio is that children are competent and capable. In Reggio, a child’s interests are the map for the “curriculum” and drive the learning activities. As John Medina’s book, Brain Rules, states, we don’t pay attention to boring things! No interest = No Learning! Reggio also places a strong emphasis on arts, creative expression, and the natural world. Reggio challenges adults to witness and encourage the 100 Languages of Children and to recognize and capture all the ways children express themselves. My aim is to bring the Reggio “classroom” into our home.
The Power of Movement
Movement is key to our success and well-being in childhood as well as in life. John Medina’s #1 Brain Rule? To exercise! Exercise boosts brain power! For you that might look like a daily walk or multiple weekly trips to the gym, but to a child that looks like play. Technology-free, unstructured, uninterrupted, physical play. Research illustrates the correlation between the increased time at recess and gains in math and reading scores. The brain needs oxygen to function properly. Movement increases oxygen flow throughout the body, including to the brain. If you want your child to be happier, healthier, more balanced, and free, help them move. Everyday!
Neuroscience of Learning
Brain science is so incredible, isn’t it? We are seeing more ways to track brain development, brain function, emotions, and cognition than we have ever had access to. I love to bring research and brain science to parenting. In the realm of education, we call these ‘Best Practices’ or strategies that researchers develop to improve how we teach, give feedback, pose questions, engage learners, discipline and so much more. As we solidify our understanding of the brain and how the brain functions and learns, we can improve our practices to help our children make deeper connections, engage more freely, pose questions, fail more honestly, and reflect more deliberately.
