This month all of Mi Families programs have had an “all about me” theme. “All about me, my family and friends” activities help us get to know new participants in each program.  From infants to adults it’s been fun meeting new friends and adding members to our Mi Family-tree.  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC facilitates programs for families and those who work with families.  From provider workshops to family events, parent and me programs, tutor times and child care services … we have a busy fall session planned.  Throughout our fall session we’ll be exploring various topics and themes.

I encourage all program facilitators (&parents) to give warnings before transitions to a new theme or activity.  We started off this month focused on oneself, then their family and friends … This week we transitioned to discussions about expressing our emotions and reading peoples “feeling faces” to promote awareness of others and being empathetic.  This week some of our students talked about empathy towards to our friends and families, and also those far away in areas devastated by nature and in areas where people are fighting one another. Students often become afraid by chaotic news stories and fill helpless.  This week we focused on ways to stay calm, look for heroes, and asked ourselves how we can be helping heroes.

Even small children should feel empowered to help others, which helps them feel less frightened and more in control.  Feeling in control and empowered helps a child build self esteem and build skills for dealing with emotions.  Encourage a child to feel in control by providing them with a monthly calendar overview, help them write out their weekly schedule, let them decide parts of their daily routine.  For young children use a visual planner to help them see what to expect and provide transition moments before starting new activities.  This time of year is filled with new activities and changes to our routine. This can feel overwhelming coming off summer vacation.

As we move from summer to fall – the first weeks of school and other activities are exciting, but then many experience emotional roller coasters adjusting to the new season. As seasons change our senses are heightened, which for many adds to the roller coaster feeling and meltdowns.  Let children know what to expect as you go about your daily routine.  Let them know what they will do, see, hear, taste, smell, and feel during different activities.  Provide them with many activities to use those senses and ask how they feel about each activity.  How does the activity feel according to their senses and their emotions.

Mi Families programs try to individualize activities to meet the emotional, mental, medical, physical and academic needs of each participant – even in a group setting – especially with our youngest participants.  Let us know about the struggles and strengths of anyone in your family who participates, so we can make sure activities enrich their experience in our programs.  In our “Adventure Academy” program for tots to pre teens we’ll be preparing sensory based activities this week.  Warning some sensory play get’s messy! Education through recreation can make a kid messy! But did you know kids often learn more while creating a mess?!

If you know someone who’d like to “make a mess, make friends and make believe” with us during this fall session we still have a couple part time spaces available in various programs.  Contact Christi@MiFamilies.com for more information or visit www.MiFamilies.com.  You can find out more about our programs and network with our members on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn… You can find out more about curriculums we use by reviewing old articles through this blog or visit www.MotherGooseTime.com. We’ll be using Mother Goose Time’s 5 senses teachers guide this week as little ones explore their “My Amazing Body” kit.

Mi Families (“my families”) LLC is officially in our fall semester with programs for children, parents and providers underway.  This week we’ve been busy with “parent and me” programs, educational child care services, tutor time groups and one-on-one sessions… Next week we’ll add our annual Family Super Hero School to the schedule.  This years hero class teaches parents and their children CPR and AED skills.  These safety lessons are obviously important, but watching kids learn with their parents about any topic is always a wonderful opportunity.

Mi Families facilitates family events, workshops and playgroups encouraging parents to learn with their child.  As children grow it’s important to teach them that we never stop learning – and that we enjoy learning.  Family support is the number one key to academic success and conquering developmental milestones throughout life.  Supportive friends also help us reach our goals.  Learning how to make friends and navigate social/emotional stages is also taught through interactions with our families.

Some families enjoy our tutor time programs together.  Parents learn new ways to approach subject matters and take home tools to use after each session.  All of our tutor time programs are individualized (even in group settings), but all have worked through common themes these first couple weeks.  We’ve been learning about how we are each unique and how we can share our talents with others.  We’ve discussed struggles and made goals to overcome obstacles.  We’ve discussed how family and friends impact our struggles and our strengths.

Students have access to many wonderful curriculums through our programs.  Many of our students enjoy Mother Goose Time.  Mother Goose Time provides a theme based kit that’s adaptable for different ages and stages, and offers flexible lesson plans.  Lesson plans can be scheduled however it works best for your programming.  Since I have different types of programs I can use one day bag and lessons for a full day program or use various parts of the program in our 1 hour playgroups.

During playroups we have 20mins of playtime as friends arrive.  On the tables you’ll find a new toy, manipulative or sensory activity with ideas how to use the materials for teaching concepts to your little ones.  Then we clean up for 20mins of circle time, which includes activities like the calendar, weather, songs and stories.  The table toys and circle time all build up to the daily theme, ending our last 2o mins with parent projects… Cutting and glueing, painting, playing games, etc with their child.

Full day programs include breakfast, playtime, learning time, lunch, nap, snack, playtime, learning time … learning times have daily themes such as “Musical Mondays” and “Saturday Science…” Yes we’re open Saturdays! Depending on the program your looking at to meet the needs of your family (or families you work with), Mi Families has flexible scheduling.  Currently we have only a couple (part time) spaces remaining in our Adventure Academy program for early education and elementary tutoring.

If you’d like to enroll your child in our educational child care or set up tutor time email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Also feel free to email if you have questions regarding our parent or provider programs. More information can also be found at www.MiFamilies.com. If you’d like to network with our team or other families find us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn… If you’d like to learn more about Mother Goose Time CLICK HERE! (Many images used in this article showcase MGT supplies. Click pics for larger details)

Mi Families (“my families”) LLC started our fall session this week! Our schedule is filling up fast with requests for provider trainings, parent workshops, family events, elementary tutoring, child development screenings and resources, playgroups, child care, homeschool programs … One of our new homeschool programs includes Christi Morgan (me) teaching “Kids Kitchen” at Northern Michigan Homeschool Partnership.  Before cooking with elementary students I’ll be facilitating a “Parent and Me” class for preschoolers … and since many came with Grandma, or mom’s friend, or even big-brother we might need a new name for that group!

Scheduling different groups, Back2School activities, sports, church functions, appointments etc… can get complicated during this time of year so I spent last week developing a visual schedule for my family to follow, which included color coding to show who’s where/when.  The visual schedule helps everyone know what’s expected, from breakfast to bedtime.  Even though we all have different schedules, we try and keep the same routine, so things stay as predictable as possible.  Often we have extra kiddos at our house for child care or tutoring and they get to know our routines as well, making it easier for them to transition from one activity to the next.

One lil’ guy said “at the Morgans we eat, play, learn, then eat play and learn again.” It’s a system that works for us.  Every home, every school needs to find the system that works best for their goals / needs.  Sometimes kids join us with different goals / needs so our system shifts a bit and that’s ok! Everyone has different goals / needs and that’s a good thing.  Everyone has different strengths and different struggles. Our strengths and struggles make us who we are.  We can use our strengths to help others and use our struggles to challenge us to reach goals.  Everyone has different things they can teach others and different goals to work towards.

Everyone is different – even twins – according to twins in one of our programs this week.  This week we talked about our differences and what’s is unique about us during ALL of our Back 2 School programs.  We talked about what makes us unique and also what makes us the same as our friends and family members.  We talked about the support family and friends give us at school and in the different programs we’re involved in this fall. Mi Families has lots of great programs being offered this fall.  Adventure Academy is one of our youth programs providing education through recreation for tots to pre teens in Kingsley.  We have a couple spaces left for enrollment if you know a kiddo who’d like to join us for theme based fun!

Email Christi@MiFamilies.com for more information on Adventure Academy or visit www.MiFamilies.com for info on our other programs. Also feel free to network with us on LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook to see what we’re up to! This month we’re up to scheduling our programs and meeting new friends.  Friends and families get to explore many great resources through our programs. Many of our children programs include top rated curriculums, such as Mother Goose Time.  Many pics in this article showcase MGT materials and supplies. CLICK HERE to learn more about Mother Goose Time.

As kids prepare for “Back to School” they worry about classes being too hard or what’s being served for lunch … but they also worry about people being nice.  Kids shouldn’t be afraid to go back to school, but many are.  Kids should be excited to see friends, but many fear they won’t have friends and that they’ll be bullied… because of differences.  I try and teach children that everyone has differences and everyone has similarities, but the world keeps focusing on the differences and making people feel that different is bad.  I’m not going to turn this article into a political debate, but I am going to say that Mi Families programs are open to all families (and those who work with families).

Everyone has differences.  Some differences are easy to see in the color of ones skin, by noticing someone in a wheelchair, or watching a family enter a specific church.  We make assumptions based on the differences we see.  Some differences are harder to see because we can’t see inside ones mind, know what their passions are, or if they are feeling ill.  Everyone has differences, but everyone has similarities.  We are all human  –  we are animals, since we are not plants or minerals.  We breath, we think, we feel…  We can feel our differences, we can feel when people are not nice to us.  We can feel when someone doesn’t accept our differences or our struggles.

We all have struggles, we could all be given a label for our struggles.  Our labels could be based on physical, mental, emotional, or medical struggles.  Some people focus on struggles, on what is different or challenging – instead of what is amazing and accomplished and what is strong about each person.  Each person, every person on this planet, has something awesome about them.  Every person has something they can add to this world and make it a better place.  Each person can help another find their strengths instead of focusing on their struggles, on their differences.  Each person can unite others by finding similarities and deciding to stand on common ground together.

Together we can take a stand and make sure kids feel safe in our homes and in our programs.  Together we can teach kids to stand and feel confident in who they are. We can teach kids to encourage each other by adults showing kindness to each other.  We don’t have to always agree with each other, but we do have to live in peace with one another if we want a peaceful future for our children.  We do have to show respect for others and thank heroes who work towards peace and safety. Respect those who try and help others. There is a reason there are more superhero movies being made every day – our kids ask for hero movies and toys and stories because they want to believe people will help, like superheroes.

Today I had an interesting discussion with some students about superheroes.  Superheroes like WonderWoman led to hero’s who do not have super- powers like doctors who take care of people, vets who take care of animals, even garbage men who take care of our trash! Yes, the garbage guys emptying our dumpsters are heroes.  Many kids love watching the truck pull up and wonder where it goes.  After discussing how picking up trash makes our world more peaceful they decided garbage men belonged on our hero list.  Anyone who helps other people, other animals, our plants… anyone who helps the earth and cares about making our world more peaceful ended up on our hero list.

As we finish “Hero Camp” at Adventure Academy we prepare for our “Back to School” theme about me, my family and friends.  We are discussing ways we can be helpful to others and what kind of community jobs we can do to help our small corner of the world.  Adventure Academy encourages kids to use their strengths and interests no matter their struggles or differences.  Every child that attends feels they have something to offer our team.  Adventure Academy is just one of Mi Families programs.  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC offers programs for youth, parents and providers – and anyone who participates is a part of our family tree / team.

In my home, in Adventure Academy classes, in any Mi Families program there is only 1 rule for participants.  Be nice.  Be nice to people and things.  Do not hurt yourself or others, or even the supplies we’re working with.  Don’t hurt means don’t physically hurt or even say hurtful things.  Don’t hurt means help.  Be helpful, kind, considerate, respectful… Recently I was asked what I wanted my children to become when they grow up – I think the person meant career wise, but I can’t choose the career that will make them happy or feel accomplished.  I can encourage them with their strengths and interests and talents and passions.  I can encourage them and teach them to be responsible for themselves, and respectful towards others.

I teach my own kids and my students using various curriculums chosen based on multi-stage adaptability, open ended learning materials and also how respectful the curriculum company is towards others – One curriculum I use is Mother Goose Time.  Mother Goose Time product images are posted in this article.  If you’d like more information on their curriculum CLICK HERE.  If you’d like more information on Mi Families CLICK HERE.  If you’d like to participate in our programs or enroll your child at Adventure Academy please email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Feel free to email me with any questions and find us on social media sites to network with our families or team members!

“No more fun in the sun,” was the saddest sentence I heard the other day.  Instead of being excited to pick out a new backpack a small child looked miserable while school shopping.  The parent was impatient reading over the school supply list and rushed the child to pick between options until the child began to cry. I could describe more about the child and the situation, but the details don’t matter as it happens to many families in many stores during back to school season transitions.  Transitions are tough – especially transitioning from “fun in the sun,” summer schedules, to school structures.

A few years ago transitioning to school routines was our worst time of year.  Every single school morning felt like the first day of school and was filled with anxiety. Our boys were anxious picking out backpacks no matter how patient we were about gathering school supplies or how excited we tried to make their new classes sound. Today are excited about school!  There are still anxious moments about transitions, but we’re getting somewhere.  We’re headed in the right direction by trying to understand our kids individual needs, their struggles, their talents, and their interests.

Just as every student is different, there are different options for schooling.  From public to private to charter – we tried all the options! We watched them struggle in different programs for 3 years before my husband suggested homeschooling.  Because of my background working in schools I thought we’d do the norm, but it just didn’t seem to be the right fit.  I agreed to try homeschooling temporarily, but unpredictable changes hit our home with a job lose, house flood, car crash, and a surprise baby addition to our family… so we continued with homeschooling to avoid more transitions.

We continued homeschooling and continued to watch the boys thrive. They went from surviving to thriving with one-on-one academics and group activities through my childcare, their sports, and our church.  Last year we added a co-op type program to their schedule through the Northern Michigan Homeschool Partnership, which offers a full day of elective classes.  This program is the reason our boys are excited about “back to school” season this year.  They are taking classes like choir, dance, computer programing, outdoor education, seasonal science, art, movie making and cooking… My husband and I are teaching the last 2 classes.

My husband is an award winning film maker who’s also taught kindergarten students through adults movie making.  He’s also teaching a martial arts class and photoshop…while I teach other programs like a parent and me preschool.  There are many classes being offered and many students signing up (we’re over 160 students now)! If you’d like more info about the partnership email me at Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Feel free to email me also regarding the other programs I’m developing .  Back to school season means time for me to plan Mi Families fall programs.  Mi Families (“my families”) offers programs to families and those who work with families across Michigan.

Visit www.MiFamilies.com for more information on our programs.  Mi Families offers Adventure Academy as a youth program – providing educational child care, developmental services and tutoring for tots to preteens. Elementary Explorers and Discovery Day camps are year round – transition free – learning opportunities.  Believing that “back to school” can still mean “fun in the sun” (or snow) this unique education option offers “education through recreation” activities.  All activities are designed using theme based curriculums that transition smoothly from one subject or season to the next.

Adventure Academy is a perfect schooling option for those who find transitions tough or for little ones who want to try out school.  Hands on learning adventures and hourly scheduling make it the perfect schooling option for kindergarten kiddos who aren’t ready for all day, every day programs.  Individualized academics make it the perfect option for homeschoolers who’d like to learn with a small group of peers.  Adventure Academy is a one-room-schoolhouse option utilizing top rated curriculums.  Curriculums like Mother Goose Time are chosen based on adaptability for multi ages and stages to learn together through fun themes.

As we finish off our Hero Camp theme we don’t feel like summer is over.  We’re still enjoying the summer sun as long as the weather lets us, then we’ll transition to fall fun. This fall some of our students are transitioning to elementary school or moving out of the area so there will be a couple spaces available for new friends to join in our learning adventures. If you live near Kingsley and would like your child to join contact me about enrollment.  More information about this highly rated program can be found through in our HANDBOOK or on our SCHEDULE page.  Information about all our programs can also be found by networking on LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube… Find us, like us, join the Mi Families tree

click 2 read Partnership preschool information. Adventure Academy info found on our schedule page

*Many of the pictures in this article showcase Mother Goose Time curriculum materials from their Hero kit! Check back next week as we take a look at next months “back2school” theme and start preparing for fall

I walked into a store the other day and and was quickly reminded that July turned into August and August turned into Back2School sales! I love Back2School season. Like “New Years” it is a time to start anew and transition to the next stage.  As a mommy it’s a bitter-sweet time watching your kids transition to the next stage/age/grade levels.  As a teacher it’s hard saying goodbye to students who transition out of programs, but it’s also exciting meeting new students and planning new learning adventures. Mi Families (“my families”) LLC is planning some fun adventures for families and friends this fall.

Mi Families is prepping programs for provider trainings, parent workshops, family events and youth services.  New programs and schedules are developed each season.  As the fall season approaches the schedule is filling up quickly and enrollment is starting for our tots to teen programs. Sundays will be saved for special events, Mondays thru Saturdays there will be child care and tutoring options, EXCEPT Wednesdays – I’ll be offering services at the Northern Michigan Homeschool Partnership. Since I’m a busy teacher, and a mommy, some programs will be facilitated by others on the Mi Families-tree team.

Mi Families is growing members and team mates to keep up with program demands. If you have questions about our programs please email me at Christi@MiFamilies.com or network with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, etc… Social media is a super way to see what we’re about, but in todays world human interaction is super important so find out how you can participate – or sign up your child for our 2-12 year old services.  As summer camp winds down children will transition from various camp themes, such as “Hero Camp”, to Back2School themes such as “all about me, my family and friends.”

This week at Hero Camp we’re learning how we can all grow up to be heroes.  Some have ambitions to become community helpers, others are planning to discover super powers and fly in to the rescue with Superman and other famous heroes.  All our children’s curriculums are chosen based on open ended experiences and adaptability for different stages and learning styles.  One of the curriculums used is Mother Goose Time.  Many of the pictures in this article showcase materials from their hero kit.  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MGT.  We have many other curriculums in our resource library.

Some curriculums and materials were purchased and some were offered for product review.  I’m often asked by teachers and homeschool parents what supplies I would recommend and I most encourage products that lead to open ended experiences and discoveries.  Products that encourage kids to “make a friend, make believe and make a mess” are the best teaching tools.  Products that encourage kids to be creative and be adventurous indoors and outside are what I recommend.  I also recommend you signing your kids up for Adventure Academy this fall! Our youth services are perfect for those who want to tryout “preschool,”  those young 5’s who aren’t ready for all-day-every-day kindergarten, and for those homeschoolers who want to get out with friends!

It’s time for Mi Families to plan out fall fun! Mi Families (“my families“) LLC facilitates programs for families and those who work with families. Those who work with families include teachers, caregivers, social workers … We’re helping programs prepare for back2school season with workshops and scheduling trainings for CPR and more! Family programs include full family events, parent workshops and resources … and programming for the youngest of family members.

Adventure Academy is our youth program for tots to preteens.  As summer services wind down we’re setting up for our fall semester and enrolling students in our discovery daycare and elementary explorer services.  From learning through play activities to academic tutor times we teach through hands on fun using engaging curriculums.  One of the top rated curriculums we utilize in our multi-age classroom is Mother Goose Time.

Mother Goose Time is a theme based preschool curriculum that can be adapted for a multi-stage-learners.  While early learners are introduced to new concepts – advanced students expand on the basic lessons.  We are currently transitioning from our nature camp theme to our hero camp program using supplies provided by MGT.  As we transition into the new school year kids in our summer camp program and those who visit our new “Parent and Me Partnership Preschool” will be enjoying such hero supplies!

Christi Morgan worked for Mother Goose Time and enjoys using their curriculum with her students, as well as her own children.  MGT and other curriculums are chosen based on program adaptability and open ended learning experiences.  With more than 2 decades of experience as a teacher, caregiver, counselor, coach, ABA tech, program director, etc – Christi has tried many curriculums and appreciates companies like MGT that research best practices and change formats accordingly.

Research is the reason Christi’s small daycare blossomed into a business providing resources for beyond the children she was working with.  Research and requests defined Mi Families mission of “Reaching out with resources, through educational and recreational adventures.” We should never want to stop learning or sharing what we have learned with others. It doesn’t matter if those we teach are young or old we should pass on our passion for learning…

Christi continues to learn beyond her 2 Bachelor degrees and encourages her team members to do the same.  Mi Families team members and family members are growing with all of our services.  Although most programs are facilitated in the Northern mitten – some services are state wide.  Email Christi@MiFamilies.com for more information.  Also feel free to email regarding enrolling your child in our Adventure Academy program for preschoolers and homeschoolers near Kingsley.

This fall Adventure Academy will offer a full day learning adventure on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 2-12 year olds.  Spaces are limited!!! Spaces will also be limited in our new partnership-preschool, as well as for tutoring. All other services and events will be scheduled on a first requested basis.  For more info on our developmental services, parent workshops, provider trainings, etc please email the above address, or visit www.MiFamilies.com.  Programs will be open for scheduling and enrollment starting the first of August!

* Pictures above showcase MGT supplies and this weeks fun at Adventure Academy

We’re half way through summer vacation, which means we’re half way through our discovery day camp and summer school sessions.  Using fun summer themed activities we’ve been covering all school subjects, yet not one student has complain about having to do the lessons! Toddlers to pre teens have been enjoying hands on learning through water world themes, camping units … and we’re now preparing for “Hero Camp” adventures.  Adventures in learning are year round at Adventure Academy, and each season we offer different programs for our students.

Adventure Academy is the youth services division of Mi Families (“my families”) LLC.  Mi Families facilitates programs for providers, parents and youth across Michigan.  All programs have an “Education through Recreation” style of teaching.  Meaning if we’re training teachers, offering a parent workshop, hosting a family event, or tutoring a young child – we teach through active learning styles.  Our programs utilize top rated curriculums that are engaging and fun for all ages.

Our programs are stage before age defined, so if you visit our discovery day camp this summer you’ll see children of various ages working together on projects.  One curriculum we utilize to make this possible is Mother Goose Time.  This month we’ve been enjoying their Camping theme, where our youngest are introduced to new concepts, vocabulary and sensory activities.  Early education ages (older tots through younger elementary stages) use MGT products as intended and further educated students expand on the lessons.

While little ones play with star shaped materials, preschoolers color star constellations while singing twinkle-twinkle, and older students research about our solar system.  Older students also are going to enjoy a campout together, complete with eating hotdogs and s’mores over a bonfire.  All students are provided with take home materials to extend the learning adventures at home with their families, and provide ideas for family campout activities etc. Mi Families mission is “Reaching out with Resources.”

All programming provides resources intended for participants to share with others.  As we prepare for our fall programs we are organizing such resources, and building bridges with organizations to connect families and providers with further supportive information and networking options.  If you have resources to share with parents (or teachers) feel free to email our director Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Also feel free to email Christi if you’d like such resources or would like to participate in our programs.

Visit www.MiFamilies.com for updated program information.  Visit www.MotherGooseTime.com for more information on that curriculum.  Many of the pictures posted in this article showcase their teaching supplies.  Mi Families is growing their teacher supplies and resource library.  If you’d like to add materials to our library for review or have questions about products we review contact Christi! We’ll be updating our list of resources and fall programs soon

Summer is flying by in our discovery daycamp.  Although our days are filled with camp adventures, they are also filled with summer school lessons.  Summer school should not be a time a child is expected to sit at a desk and listen to lectures.  Sitting and looking outside wishing one was having fun in the sun makes it very hard to concentrate so we often bring our lessons outside and do hands on projects and activities, while discussing educational themes.

This summer our themes started with water world activities that transitioned into a camping theme.  This week we’ve been discussing how “Nature Rocks” and the kids have been so into the topics that we often cover more than one topic a day as they jump from one topic to the next.  However, other times they are so into the topics that one topic lasts a couple days.  Unit studies are student directed year round in our programs.  Topics transition from one concept to the next led by student interest.

Student interest is determined through observation and discussion with the students rather then simply following a curriculum framework.  We utilize many different curriculums within our programs, but one of our favorites is Mother Goose Time because of it’s adaptable style.  Mother Goose Time provides an easy to follow teacher guide and daily bags to simplify lesson planning if that works best for your program, or you can utilize the materials how you wish within a classroom or home setting.

Our children’s program is a classroom in a home setting meeting the needs of children at different ages and stages, but all seem to love the preschool intended activities.  Our children’s program provides preschool services as well as developmental screenings, elementary level tutoring and more.  We have programs for all ages and stages, for children, their parents and providers.  More about our programs can be found on our  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC website.

Mi Families is growing our family tree with more team members, participants and programs.  Our fall 2017 programs will be posted shortly.  Feel free to email Christi@MiFamilies.com with any questions or network with us on our multi-media sites. Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Linked-In … Let us know what other social-sites you use and what information you’d like us to write articles about! Next weeks article we’ll share more about are current camp and future fall programs!

* Many of the pics featured display Mother Goose Time materials.  Visit www.MotherGooseTime.com for more information about their projects!