Spanish for Mommies: Common Commands and Questions
Have you been using any Spanish endearments? In the second installation of my Spanish for Mommies series I’m going to share some common commands you might use during your day. Now these are commands in the linguistic sense not in the control-based-parenting manner. Please read about gentle parenting for why being commanding doesn’t work. Here are some common commands you probably say every day to your kids and their Spanish translation: cuidado – be careful. kwee DAH doe lávese las manos – wash your hands. LA vay say las MAHN ohs por favor...
Read MoreSpanish for Mommies: Terms of Endearment
Welcome to a new series I’ll be doing on helping your little ones learn Spanish! Now, I need to point out that I am not fluent in Spanish and I’m certainly not a native speaker. If you have access to a native speaker then wonderful! Exposure to native speakers is absolutely the best way to introduce your child to another language. However, don’t give up if you happen to live in the Mid-west with nary a Spanish Immersion School around (actually there is one in Columbus but that’s 3 hours from me). Being bilingual is so necessary in the modern world and it...
Read MoreHolistic Education (“unschooling”) FAQs
I had a wonderful discussion with some friends about homeschooling. Some are questions even “regular” homeschoolers have about child-led learning which I like to call Holistic Education but is also called unschooling or deschooling. I’d love to hear your questions too! Question: There are basic things in life that we need to know. What about math? I agree there are basic things that we *need* to know. The “what about math” question is one of the most frequently asked questions about “un”schooling. How will they learn math if they choose what...
Read MoreHome School vs. Public School
A few weeks ago I pointed you to a post over at PhD in Parenting about homeschooling and public schooling. It was a great post because it generated so much discussion! As any good thought provoking post will do, it has stayed in my mind and by formulating my response to it my own views on learning have solidified. So, before I get started, I’m going to say I will be disagreeing with Annie on nearly every point and using her post to make counterpoints – but this isn’t in any way meant to be an attack on her as I respect her views and enjoy her blog greatly! I also...
Read MoreMoon Gazing with your Toddler: Science, Nature, and a touch of Folklore
Welcome to the June Carnival of Natural Parenting: Outdoor fun This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared their stories and tips for playing outside with kids. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants. When I was a little girl I wanted to be an astronaut and work for NASA. My dad taught me to love science and the magic of the night sky. He had a telescope and showed us the most amazing things. The things I remember most –...
Read MoreMust Read Homeschooling Discussion
I’m having one of those days when I really wish my blog was anonymous. I’m so upset with my job right now but I don’t want to get dooced of course! So, instead of venting I want to point you to a must read article. I was going to save it for Sunday Surf but it is too good. Head over to Annie at PhD in Parenting for her discussion of Homeschooling v. Public School. Her article is well thought out and balanced. The comment section is where it gets really fun. moral relativism, creation v. evolution, ethics, etc. Must read...
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