Please take the time to read this article

I have very strong opinions on the importance of play, if you haven't figured that out already.  This article was found by a fellow blogger and friend, and it is just a gem.

It discusses how children today are "game players" rather than "game designers."  They can play with what is given to them, but struggle with creating something novel, thinking "outside the box" and making something out of nothing.  You can't blame this struggle on them.  After all, you have to search high and low to find toys that don't move on their own or have buttons that make them have sounds.  My favorite example of this is the dinosaur that walks and roars on his own.  What fun is playing with a dinosaur when you can't crash it into things and invent the cacophonous sounds yourself??  I think back to when my son wanted the Little Einsteins rocket for his figures.  I even had it in the cart when I thought, "If he wants a rocket, he should make one.  I made quite a few tissue box vehicles in my day.  He can do it, too."  But, it's so hard, as parents, to not give into the call of consumerism and bright, blinking, loud manufactured toys that tell us how smart they will make our children.

The article also touches on the importance of child-led unstructured play which is the cornerstone of the therapy I practice called DIR/Floortime.  Children need to lead the play and structure it for themselves to truly explore and learn from their environment.  They need play partners that say, "Yes!" not "Let's try it this way" or "Rabbits can't fly."

Perhaps my favorite section of the article is when the author discusses the heavy focus in schools on behavior and classroom management.  She says,

"...I fully appreciate the fine balance between learning and discipline that is required in any classroom. Yet I grow concerned when the daily folder my child brings home focuses on rewarding the following behaviors: walk quietly, keep hands to self, raise hand before speaking, and sit still in chair. Instead, I’d like to see a second folder promoting things like: had an original idea, created a new game on the playground, made up a story, solved a problem for a friend, or invented something uncommon from a common object."

Alas, more reasons why I have chosen to work privately instead of in a classroom.

So, please take the time to read this article and pass it along to your friends, family and your child's teachers and therapists.  It's a good one.   (Warning though... she does knock moon sand which I totally love.  It's okay, though.  Moon sand is great for indoor play in the winter or on rainy days.  You and I know that the sand box is always best when weather permits. ;) )

Here's the link:

2 serious links and 1 seriously fun blog

Since starting this blog I have been forwarded a ton of articles and links which I completely appreciate and adore.  Here are a few things that I received this week:

The first is an article on how MRIs are being used to diagnose children with autism.  In working with many children with autism and their families over the years, I can definitely see the use of MRIs for early detection thus leading to earlier treatment and better outcomes.  I know a number of families who did not receive treatment for their child for years because a pediatrician told them their child was just a bit delayed and it was nothing to worry about.  However, I do worry about the effect of an autism diagnosis on a family when it leads to parents and caregivers lowering expectations for a child.  This particularly concerns me because I see so many infants and toddlers with autistic-like symptoms who never need a true diagnosis beyond a developmental delay because, when given intense early intervention, they can completely reverse these symptoms and become typically functioning, bright and engaging children.  The most important part of this early intervention is coaching parents on how to address and treat the individual needs of their children.
Ah...I digress...  Here's the article so you can form your own opinions:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40470527/ns/health-mental_health/

The second link comes from a mom with a son that has severe food allergies.  I've read a few articles on how children that have food allergies can be bullied in school because of it.  This article just provides some research, but two things are really troubling to me - 1) Children are bullying by throwing the allergen or touching the child with it.  Some kids even reported having their food contaminated.  Many of these children could die from exposure.  Super scary.  2) Teachers are doing the bullying. ?? Really??!!  Come on.

http://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(10)00733-7/abstract

The third link is to a blog that a good friend turned me on to.  Meal times can be such a struggle.  Here is one mom's way of combating it by serving lunch in muffin tins and making bento boxes for her kids.  She goes a little overboard on the artistic end, but much of is easily reproduced in your kitchen and embraces the spirit of "play."  The novelty of it may even get your child to eat some veggies.

http://www.bentolunch.net/

WHAT??!! The decline of picture books?

Check out this New York Times article that was referred to in the Cherry Preschool newsletter this month. 

It discusses how parents have decided to push their preschool and Kindergarten-age children into reading chapter books and e-books instead of sticking with the tried and true picture book.  Come on, folks!  Don't deny your  children the pleasure of the art and language of a picture book.  If your five year old can read chapter books, fantastic!  But, picture books still have a place and are just plain part of being a kid.

Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/us/08picture.html

The Power of Empathy

Empathy is a pretty powerful thing and is essential for us to function responsibly in today's society.   Empathy is directly related to "theory of mind" which is the capacity to take on another person's perspective.  Without this theory of mind, we could never truly be empathic to another's plight.  Children don't have theory of mind until about 4 years of age, so we can't expect them to understand or relate to another child's or person's feelings until then.  Yet, we can definitely be empathic to our own children's experiences and feelings and also model empathy for them.  In fact, the ability of children to embody different characters in play is one of the first steps in developing theory of mind and empathy.

Just as I am pondering this concept and getting ready to give a presentation on empathy to some fellow teachers at UIC in January, I come across this article in the Chicago Tribune.  It discusses how today's teens are generally more tolerant of others, but less empathic.  Take a read and let me know your thoughts.  If this is true, we have some work to do as teachers and parents.

Most tolerant, but desensitized? Today's teens present a thorny contradiction.

The Post-Halloween Hangup

Any mom will tell you that the worst part of Halloween is all the left over candy just hanging around in your house. It not only calls to your children, but it also calls to us... "M&Ms are over here" "Almond Joy, anyone?" "Excuse me, but have you met Mike and Ike?"

If you are like me, you can't wait for the day when you can just toss it in the garbage and no one will notice. Actually, on second thought, that is a bit wasteful... so why not do what the mom in this article did and do some candy experiments with your kids? You not only can encourage their curiosity, but also get rid of the evil temptation of Halloween candy.

The experiments she discusses are primarily for older kids (like testing for acid in sour candy and doing chromatography), but younger children will love her ideas for mixing colors and melting candy in the microwave.

Click on the link below for the article.

http://mothering.com/parenting/candy-experiments