melody*made

.: Natural Learning & Socialization :.

I'm fondly observing how quickly my two younger ones are growing... Ryker, who turned four this summer, spontaneously wrote his name on a blackboard last week. While I went to get the camera, he drew a border around it:-) I love how he wrote the "E" as it's very organic looking. It's amazing how he's coming into the world around him and naturally wants to understand the written word that surrounds him. I've noticed that his older brothers both wrote their names at age four on their own. If feels good to know that learning happens naturally, contrary to what schools try to tell us... 

We had a couple of friends over (ages 14 and 11) and were about to have snack. Ryker volunteered to pour water for everyone. It's beautiful to observe the pure pleasure he gets from serving his friends... Yes, he whole heartedly believes that they're his friends as he's not segregated by only his age group. He's very blessed in my eyes because I see the love and patience he receives from older homeschooled friends, and in turn, Ryker gets to be kind and gentle with those younger than him. There was no crying over unshared toys or conflicts during this playdate!

Oh and my littlest angel is moving about very quickly and busily;-) He's pulling himself up and following his brothers around. I think he'll be going up those stairs very soon! 

And the cute nakey pic is after a bath where he kept crawling away before I could dress him! There's never a dull moment around here!

 

 

:: Family Culture ::

When your little one comes to you and wants to "help" you wipe the counter, what do you do? Are you in a hurry and tell him to go play instead? I'd say, think twice about pushing him away and ask yourself, "what's the hurry?"

Treasure these early years when they DO want to come and participate in your life. Invite them in as much as possible. When they're curious about what you're doing and want to do useful work, that is "play" for them. It's not only being present in the moment and taking in the beauty of their innocence, it's also about paving the way for the future. 

When you establish a connection of partnership by honoring your child's curiosity and need, you're creating a connection for when he's much older. So later when he's 16, and you ask him to take the garbage out, he won't scoff at you because he's been validated in his needs as a young person and he's used to being acknowledged as a member of the family. It's not like when he was willing to help, you pushed him aside out of convenience, you took the time to include him and validate his genuine interest in learning about how the world works.

I can guarantee that children will choose to spend quality time with family over any other fancy counterpart. Even with all the high-technology that we're surrounded by, children still crave and need our human touch. Hearing a parent's voice reading a story has a higher vibration than a CD recording. 

How children learn about the social structures of the world begins in the home. You need not worry about all the influences of the world at large, as what's engrained in all of us is the family culture.

The Capable Two Year Old: "I Can Do It Myself!"

Yes, I use real glass and plates and not plastic. I never use sippy cups nor plastic utensils and bowls made for children. There's no need to buy expensive special cups for little ones. It's not necessary and just creates more things to wash and loose (little parts) in the kitchen. I wrote about buying smaller glass cups for little ones in my past post.

It's so much more freeing to just take off with a stainless steel water bottle when leaving home, or buying bottled water outside the home without worrying about packing a sippy cup for your little one.

I put small cups and plates (just right for little hands) on the bottom cupboard in our kitchen so that my young boys can get what they need on their own. Although little Ryker (2yrs old) is very capable of reaching for things he needs all on his own by moving his chair around!

My children help themselves to snacks all on their own, and it makes my life soooo much easier:) It's also great for helping to set the table for meals and emptying out the dishwasher.

It's especially cute when Ryker sees that I need a glass or a plate, then rushes over to serve ME.

Mothers Are Healers

This is our first "real" winter, and Gabriel has the flu. He hasn't been sick like this in years and years. He actually got what I had just a few days ago. Oops! So I knew exactly how he felt. He had a massive headache, body ache, and nausea. He felt just awful. I felt so nauseaus myself that I thought that I was pregnant:-) 

No, I'm not.

I gave him all the homeopathic remedies, made teas and broths. Then he requested that I give him Reiki. I asked him if he liked getting Reiki. He said, "Yeah, you make all the bad feelings go away." I treated him with Reiki and EFT(Emotional Freedom Technique). I'm so thankful that I'm able to heal him in this way. 

But then, all mothers are natural healers:-)

Play time at LAX

Ryker found these wonderful columns and couldn't help but to explore! He walked in between the huge columns, climbed up and down the step, and just had a great time! It's such a joy to watch him explore his surroundings! He finds excitement at every turn...

No toys needed!

I didn't pack any toys to bring on this trip for Ryker(26 mos. old). He found this boat sculpture in the hotel and was amused by it for a long time. He was just happy to explore his environment in the hotel room. He was in the bathroom, checked out the curtains, the garbage can, lamps, etc.

He later found two rubber bands in the desk drawer(with other office supplies) and played with those for a long time, maybe 30 minutes. He played with them the next day as well. Who knew! Two rubber bands!

All done!

Big brother helps

So grateful for my oldest, who's such a big help!

Flowers from mason

Waterplay at bath time

We don't need any fancy bath toys, just a couple of cups keep little Ryker happily busy.