Lesson planning with MGT

Mi Families (“my families”) LLC facilitates programs for families, and those who work with families.  All of our programs focus on “education through recreation,” meaning all of our programs teach through fun activities.  During a past training a teacher commented that she loved coming to our workshops, because they helped her think of non-traditional ways to teach.  At some point someone thought the best way to teach was to have students sit and listen, but research tells us “we don’t learn best at a desk.”  As Ben Franklin once said “tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.”

experience baby supplies

“Involve me and I learn,” is the key to our education through recreation programs.  From teaching teachers to educating small children – involve them in the learning process, the planning process… Interact and observe to discover what they are learning and how they learn best. Each student has their own unique style of learning, their own interests, talents, goals and needs.  Adventure Academy considers each unique student when lesson planning.  Adventure Academy is our program designed for the youngest of Mi Families members.  Adventure Academy provides childcare for tots to teens, infant – preschool developmental assistance and elementary level tutoring service.

The main goal of Adventure Academy is to teach students to love learning. Students love exploring different subjects through different curriculums.  One curriculum all our students enjoy is Mother Goose Time.  This theme based package is designed for preschoolers, but older students love using the topics for ideas on subjects to research further.  Our youngest learners use to simply be exposed to the new topics, but this month even the baby is joining in the spring theme and learning about birds. From feeding the birds migrating back to Michigan, to providing nesting materials for birds to lay eggs in – all ages and stages will be involved in learning the experiences.

bird-beak min2-win-it games and other bird-brain-builders

stages of writing in MGT journals

Experience Baby is the a new curriculum offered through Mother Goose Time that goes with each monthly theme.  Experiencing learning through hands on fun is easy with Mother Goose Time’s monthly kits.  Adventure Academy looks for such hands on fun when choosing curriculums and activities.  Our spring semester is full, but if you know a child looking for hands on fun this summer we’re starting to enroll for our camp and tutoring sessions.  CLICK SUMMER SCHOOL for more information about this program.  Visit www.MiFamilies.com to learn more about our other programs.  Find us on social media sites to network with us or email Christi@MiFamilies.com with any questions!

Many of the pics used in this article showcase MGT supplies.  Here’s an unboxing of this months kit.  Sorry It cuts off early – I had a child helping me make the video 😉

To learn more about MGT or order a kit visit www.MotherGooseTime.com 

book buddies. Ask about our growing library!

Mi Families (“my families”) facilitates programs for families and those who work with families. We offer provider trainings, host family events and develop activities for youth.  One of our youth programs is Adventure Academy.  Adventure Academy is a top-rated child care and tutoring center located in my Kingsley home.  This unique education through recreation program serves infants thru pre teens with a focus on each child’s individual strengths and goals.

Discovering magnets … and other STEM activities

Some students join us with many strengths and find a homeschooling route best fits their talent focused goals.  Some students join us after school or on weekends for assistance with challenging homework.  Some join in the fun preparing for kindergarten readiness.  Some children just come to play while mom and dad are working. While they visit they enjoy both the environment of home-life security as well as an enriching  classroom community.

keeping baby safe with her own manipulatives

Believing that a community is not all same age peers with the same skin tones, culture, or goals ~ Adventure Academy is a community for learners of various ages and stages.  Our themed learning units are designed for preschoolers to learn basic skills, while older students expand on the topics through research, and young children are introduced to new concepts. We currently have a dozen children attending (during different days/times), ranging from 8 months to 12 years of age.

scissor cutting observation w/ rainbow art

The youngest learner is my own baby.  My surprise bonus baby who we didn’t expect to join our family and never know what to expect from her now that she’s here! Like all kids she’s ahead in some ways and behind in others.  Once a baby starts to interact with our group they join in our activities, and are assessed as their own individual self and not compared to others.  Every child develops at their own speed and makes their own route through the developmental continuum.

big kids helping little kids learn new skills

Every child learns through their own unique intelligence styles.  Different learning styles include: verbal linguist (words), logical mathematical (numbers), visual spatial (pictures), bodily kinesthetic (physical), naturalistic learners, musical intelligences, and intra vs inter personal styles (self understanding vs social interactions).  To understand each child’s learning styles and temperament traits, I use observation to discover what motivates them to reach their individual goals.

seasons at the swamp books

With my own baby her goal is to explore.  Her current exploration technique is to put everything in her mouth.  Her curious taste buds and sensory seekers remind me to keep the area clean and safe for her to learn through this method.  As she grows her methods will change and so will my approach.  As she grows she is becoming more aware of what her peers are doing and is curious about the materials they are exploring so we adapt materials and supplies for her to participate as well.

MGT snail day activities

This month we have been learning about the changing of seasons from winter to spring and how the changes impact the pond across the road.  She has loved using her senses to explore items older students brought back from their pond adventure and has enjoyed looking at materials in our pond themed kit from Mother Goose Time.  Mother Goose Time is a preschool themed curriculum that adapts easily for diverse ages and stages. Next month we’ll continue spring themes while learning about birds, eggs & Easter.

SAVE old MGT packages for future use in different ways!

Mother Goose Time has prepared an “Experience Baby” kit to go along with each theme and her older friends and siblings are excited for her to join in our next learning adventure.  I’ll post updates in future articles about individual lesson planning in multi age classrooms. To learn how to adapt your program for multi ages or to enroll a child in this program please email Christi@MiFamilies.com. Also feel free to email regarding other Mi Families programs or network with us on our social media sites.

excited baby opens her own MGT box.

A student recently talked about how they don’t like being told they are “special.”  Often “special” is used as a term that makes kids feel different in a negative, not able, not special way.  He also pointed out that if everyone is told they are special, then no one is.  “It’s like if we found treasure every day, it wouldn’t be a special day anymore.” I’ve also had parents/providers voice concerns that if a child feels special that he/she will think they are more important then others and act in selfish manners… But after much research on the subject they have proven it’s the key to self worth.  Healthy mental-health begins with feeling special.  So how do we go back to what people like Mr Rogers intended by telling children that they are special? That each and every child is important and unique?

Fred Rogers once said that “feeling good about ourselves is essential in our being able to love others.”  Mr Rogers and other individuals who focused on the importance of early education shared research supporting the need for positive feed back throughout a child’s development.  Kristine Barnett and other parents who have seen the focus on positive behaviors and accomplishments support that the research is correct.  Jacob Barnett is an example of a child given labels and told what he would not accomplish because of such labels.  His mother decided to take him out of traditional schooling and focus on his strengths which changed his future and named him as a child prodigy.

This is just one example of why Adventure Academy focuses on the strengths and interests of each student.  Adventure Academy is the youth program offered through Mi Families (“my families”) LLC.  Mi Families provides programs for families and those who work with families.  All of our programs focus on strengths, as it’s been proven to be a more successful technique then teaching through failures and fears, which often result in regression.  Adventure Academy provides developmental services for infants through preschoolers and tutoring sessions for elementary stages with parent and student input about personal goals and individual interests.

Through small group interactions in our multi-age programs we encourage goals through each child’s unique interests.  Curriculums are developed for all students to interact on a stage before age process.  Curriculums such as Mother Goose Time can be adapted for all to participate.  MGT themes allow younger children to be introduced to new concepts, while preschoolers use materials as intended and older students research deeper into each topic.  This month we have been learning about ponds and how the changing weather from winter to spring changes the pond life across the street.  Older students have adventured across and brought back examples of animal and plant life changing and growing with the season.

Our students have been discussing how they themselves have been growing.  Observations during our themed activities have helped showcase how their physical appearance and physical abilities have changed.  Activities are chosen to help assess individual abilities with large and small motor skills, social and emotional development, language and cognitive progress.  Observations are also noted on children’s individual temperaments: activity levels, persistence, distractibility, approaches, adaptability, predictability, responsiveness, mood and intensities of reactions.  Each child’s development and temperaments help design their unique goals and plan lessons according to their learning styles.

Infants to pre teens learn together and encourage each other in our one-room-school-house style program.  It’s bitter sweet watching older students transition out of our program and infants begin joining in the group activities.  My own baby has been joining in more activities as she is able.  No child is pushed, but all are encouraged to play and work along side their peers.  Peers do not mean same age as in the “real world” we don’t ask family members or co-workers how old they are before interacting with them… Children should learn safe ways to interact with others from day one when introduced to their families and friends.  Although we all interact together and with the same materials no student is compared to their peers.

We are a team learning together, but each of us has a different strength to contribute to our group goals.  Mi Families has diverse groups for all ages and stages, but all of our groups have the same goal – to provide FUNctional family resources with education through recreation programming.  Our group of children at Adventure Academy are meeting that goal by loving learning. Each child loves learning because they learn to love their unique selves.  They learn that they are a special treasure. Each learn that it’s ok to progress in their own way and in their own time with their own gifts and talents.  Whether your child is behind or ahead of the typical time line they are welcome to join in our learning adventures.  We will have summer spaces opening soon!

If you’d like to enroll your child email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Feel free to email about any of the Mi Families programs or network with us on our social media sites! Also feel free to subscribe above to get our articles emailed to you.  Articles tell about our different programs.  This article shows off what the kids were up to at Adventure Academy this week as we celebrated St Patricks day and learned about all things green … and gold … like the treasure the students hunted for – and found in themselves. Hope you had a magical week with your family or the families you worked with!

Mi Families LLC (“my families”) provides programs for families and those who work with families.  Trainings are facilitated for providers, parent workshops are offered, family events are planned, and youth services are developed – with the help of our family focused team.  Our team understands that every family is different and has different needs and goals, and different individuals making up their family unit.  The youngest individuals are just as valued as the oldest – and they help decide what programs we should offer for youth.

As the team leader / director of Mi Families I asked tots to teens what programs they needed and developed Adventure Academy – an education through recreation program for child care and tutoring services.  Adventure Academy is a multi-age classroom where students learn and play together.  Students learn to be a part of a team and value each other.  Student’s learn that everyone has individual goals, strengths and struggles.  Older students build confidence assisting younger peers, while young children are encouraged to develop new skills.

Because our program is stage (not age) focused – we re visit basic skills continually giving opportunities to conquer such skills and providing opportunities for observation and assessments.  As discussed in previous articles assessments are offered via parent request. Assessments are authentic and not test based.  Assessments are facilitated through records, anecdotes, case studies, charting, check lists… Assessments include observation through event samples, frequency records, rating scales, running records, spot checks… Assessments take time.

Tests and first impressions are often used through other programs to label a child’s strengths and weaknesses.  Believing that these do not offer accurate results each child here is assessed through individual profiles over time.  Each child builds a profile of their daily work and daily notes are included regarding their day’s behavior, eating habits, naps, playtimes, etc.  Extra paper is provided for two-way communication with the parents and the binder is sent home daily for their review and may include reminders that such assessments are available and other resources are provided.

Each child that attends is offered individual resources to meet their particular needs and encourage their strengths and interests.  Resources include curriculum options.  Each child learns differently so our library is stocked with top rated learning programs for infant through elementary development.  One curriculum we use is Mother Goose Time.  MGT is a theme based monthly program (note MGT supply pics) that can be simplified for young learners, expanded on for older students, and used as intended for our preschoolers.

This month’s theme is “At the Pond” and we have been learning about how the world will begin changing and growing as winter melts into spring.  Frogs have been a fun focus from tadpoles to leaping through their own development.  We have also been learning about other things waking from hibernation and migration back to the pond… and of course the fish who have been freezing all winter! We added a new friend to our program this week.  Our new pet fish who the students all want to help care for.

Each student take turns helping with the fish and other to-do’s during our day, such as helping prepare meals and adding dates to the calendar.  As we add dates we have been adding lots of birthdays to our calendar and noting each child’s individual growth and development.  We cheer each other on for conquering new tasks and even trying new healthy foods – noting their physical growth.  Kids love to cheer for each other and encourage one another.  Kids love to help lesson plan with ideas for helping their friends learn new things.

We’ll continue using our pond theme for learning all subject matters and keep busy inside and outside as spring approaches.  Our spring and summer semesters are filling up quickly with child care and tutor time students, but some part time spaces remain if you know a child near Kingsley, Michigan who’d like to join in the adventure! Feel free to email Christi@MiFamilies.com to enroll or to ask questions regarding this program or our other programs.  Find out what our programs are up to next by subscribing above and network with us on social media!

This months learning adventure

Patience.  It’s the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. It is a skill many adults need lessons on.  Waiting is hard.  Especially for spring in Northern Michigan.  I embrace the snow and remind parents and providers often that Michigan often doesn’t see spring til’ May! But each March they see “first day of spring” on the calendar and get anxious.  The fake warming weather gets their hopes up before the next snow storm.  The season sports sign ups and spring themed lesson plans get us preparing for warmer activities … for spring cleaning … for packing away the snow pants and boots.

Don’t put away those boots yet and even if it’s nice and snow starts to melt PLEASE send your kids to Adventure Academy wearing boots as the melting only makes it more fun to find mud puddles! Adventure Academy is a education through recreation program for babies to teens in Kingsley, Michigan and we spend lots of time outside.  This month’s theme is Pond Life and older students have begun pond studies – exploring how the pond across the road will change from winter to spring.  For safety reasons they will bring the studies back to our 1-room-classroom to share with their younger peers.  This week they have been bringing inside snow to study.

We spent time studying how the snow melts into water then freezes to ice when put back outside.  We spent time studying dirt, rocks and other nature items and will compare our studies as the weather changes.  As the weather changes we’ll note the changes to the greenery and animals around the pond.  We’ll use Mother Goose Time’s monthly curriculum kit to help supplement our studies.  Mother Goose Time (note activity pics) is intended for preschool development but can be expended on for older students studies and simplified for even the babies in our group to participate.  All ages participate together in our multi-age-program, and parents can request program observations for assessment purposes.

Adventure Academy offers assessments and referrals for our students with intent for individual forward progress, which is not compared to ones peers.  With understanding that each child has their own developmental sequence and timetable for growth – our program is stage before age focused.  Each student is observed and activities are provided to encourage development through ones own particular interests and strengths.  Each child deserves opportunities to develop skills using their unique learning styles.  intelligence styles include verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist and intra vs inter personal.

Everyone has their own learning styles, interests and strengths to help them thrive.  It’s not a race with a predictable outcome.  Just like nature, we must let it run it’s course and enjoy each moment.  Spring will come.  The pond will melt.  Frogs will jump across the lily-pads and back into our yard again.  Until then we’ll enjoy playing in the snow and enjoy the mysterious weather system that many around the world do not get to experience.  Until each child grows out of our program I’ll enjoy observing the mysterious ways brains develop and children learn and grow.  As some grow out of our program it’s bittersweet getting ready for goodbyes.

As some age into our program it’s bittersweet saying goodbye to the infant stage when they were dependent on the caregiver, but there are new rewards watching little ones interact and learn and grow besides peers.  If you know a child who’d like to join Adventure Academy email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Adventure Academy is just one program Mi Families (“my families”) LLC offers. If you are a parent or provider who’d like to know about other programs Mi Families provides visit www.MiFamilies.com.  If you’d like to network with our team find us on LinkedIN, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, etc… If you’d like updates on what we’re up to – please subscribe above.

Healthy snack options are available daily to encourage growth – sponsored by ACD

MGT circle time behind baby

“Leaps and bounds” both mean jumping, so the title is a redundant phrase, but it’s a term often used to state fast progress – and Mi Families (“my families”) LLC continues to quickly grow programs and members.  Our youngest members are enrolled in our Adventure Academy, child care and tutoring program, and are growing the fastest!  Tots to teens have been learning and working hard together all winter and growth in each child is evident.

MGT journals

Usually we wait to assess growth in our spring session, but because of recent parent requests and some student birthdays we’ve been taking a look at the progress many have achieved this school year. One noticeable growth is that my own baby has been sitting up and joining in our activities.  Although our activities are geared for preschool to preteen levels babies are invited to participate as they are able. Because our program is stage before age based there are no expectations, only inclusion and encouraging progression along the way.

color of the month

Older students build confidence helping younger peers learn through theme based units.  We use various curriculums to enhance our units, one being Mother Goose Time. MGT is a preschool based package that can be simplified for younger children, while expanded on for older students.  This month we worked through a rhyming theme and while younger children heard rhymes, finger plays and songs – middle kids did activities to build rhyming word families – and older students wrote their own poetry.

MGT maze with manipulatives

Writing love poems for valentines day was filled with giggles.  Since this month Valentines was celebrated we also had a focus on love, and how we show others we care about them, and how we need to care and love ourselves! Caring and loving ourselves has been an interesting topic as some parents and providers felt too much focus on self development and praise leads to individual narcissism. Many of those adults admitted they do not find enough “me time” to focus on their own self growth.

transitioning from one theme to the next

The debate of confidence vs narcissism and discipline vs guidance is a topic we’ll dive into another time, but the current conversation remains with self development as social emotional growth is an area skipped over too often on developmental domains. When we look at a child’s development we often assess how big they are as babies, then what they can do with their large motor skills as they learn to roll, sit, crawl, stand, walk… Then programs look at a tots speech and language progress, and preschool cognitive abilities…

tadpoles to frogs

Mi Families and Adventure Academy has assessment programs to consider all domains across all stages of human development and offers resources and referrals for forward progress. Assessments are facilitated with parent/guardian request and are completed over time – as one session assessments do not provide accurate answers to the complexities of ones development.  Assessments are facilitated by gathering past information and through months of observations.

hop the number you land on

Observations are done through play based activities and include noticing developmental paths across diverse domains.  Observations also includes noticing individual temperament traits, individual intelligences and learning modes… Observation events are planned ahead with a schedule to determine what specific information would be helpful to note and how best to identify individual goals.  This week students and parents discussed their own goals for growth in diverse areas.

MGT make and play craft

Some would like to see progress in health or physically related areas.  Some would like to feel growth in large motor development, others in small motor skills.  Some are more focused on communication or cognitive areas of learning.  Others are noting the importance of regulating social and emotional understanding.  Using the understanding of creative representation (art, music, make believe, play…) we focus on strengths and interests and discover growth across all domains.

emotions and expressions … feelings and faces

Just as a baby morphs into an adult, this spring we will note how other creatures morph and change.  This week we had a small taste of spring as we enjoyed temps in the 60’s and snow at the same time.  Some bugs were even awaken thinking of a thaw, but as I type this there is a snow storm outside and winter is still here.  The fake spring got us excited for the next season though so next week we’ll start learning about spring and explore our own pond as winter changes to spring and our students change and grow with the season.

winter fun

Using key experiences we’ll learn about the changes to ourselves, other creatures and the world around us.  Subscribe above so you can be updated on the growth of our students and programs.  Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc so you can network with our members.  Email Christi@MiFamilies.com if you’d like to meet up with our members for provider trainings, parent workshops, family events … or to enroll your child in our learning adventures.  Adventure Academy is located in Kingsley, Michigan, but other services are available state wide!

60’s, snow, sun and shovels

If your ready to skip spring and plan ahead for summer – consider enrolling your child(ren) in our summer program!!!! Spaces are limited and will fill up fast : http://www.mifamilies.com/adventure-academy/summer-school

MGT playdoh fun

add heart shaped cutters

Love is patient, Love is kind… 1st Corinthians 13:4 is a famous Bible verse telling us what love is.  Lots of Bible verses, poems and songs tell us what love is.  What would a child say love is? I asked how people showed love and learned that a 2 year old feels loved by lots of hugs.  A 3 year old said he shows love by sharing his half-eaten treats.  A 4 year old said love is when your mommy buys you a milkshake because your throat hurts.  A 5 year old said she shows her daddy she loves him by drawing him pictures.  A six year old said love is “letting her pick which game to play.”  An 8 year old said love is sharing valentines with a girl and it not being yucky” … I asked over a dozen kids and most of their responses involved actions to and from parents.  A ten year old said his favorite thing in the whole world was having pajama parties with dad and watching movies til’ midnight.  He agreed time spent together was better then any gift.

motor skill fun

letter learning

Presence over presents is something to consider during gift giving times of holidays, birthdays and even on random Wednesday evenings.  Every day is a different schedule for me as I run my early-education child care program, tutor elementary students, provide trainings and workshops for providers and parents … Some days I’m “just” a parent caring for my own kids, homeschooling my own kids, doing chores with and for my own kids, trying to find time to do things with my husband … while my husband balances his own schedule of editing from home, filming on the road, attending meetings for his work and for our kids special programs and teaching other kids about filming … He loves teaching others and has been teaching film to kids during Central United Methodist (in Traverse City) on Wednesday nights.

heart bead bracelets

holiday handwriting

After a long day of teaching kids myself, while balancing the needs of an infant, I could just use Wednesday nights to relax, but I don’t. I choose to go with him to church, even though we only have a car ride to talk about our day.  After being away from him and the boys all day (while they attend the Northern Michigan Partnership for homeschool students) I want to know what I missed during their day.  We eat a quick meal with church friends then my husband goes to film with one of my boys, my other son goes to choir practice and I take the baby upstairs to BBM (Building Better Moms) – a time to chat with other mom’s and explore mom topics and engage in book discussions.  Currently we’re working on a book / video titled “Presence over perfect.”  As a mom, wife, sister, friend, woman… caregiver with many titles… I strive for perfection and am learning to focus on presence.

King and Queen of heart crown making (see baby in back 😉 )

valentine creations

Presence for my children, for my husband, for myself, for the children I care for … I care for other many extra kiddos and try and make sure I give each individual attention during their time in my program.  I try and make sure sure I individualize the program to meet each one’s interests, strengths, and needs.  I try and adapt activities and lesson plans based on the individual time spent with each student and the observations I take watching them interact with materials independently and with their peers.  I take notes each day for their parents to help them feel connected and present during their day, and if parents request I provide developmental assessments for children and offer recommendations and referrals for extending their services or assisting with specific needs.  One program I use to guide activities and assessments is Mother Goose Time.

heart shaped pizza pockets

decorating valentine cookies

Each month MGT provides a theme based program for preschool children that can be simplified for younger kids and expanded on for older students.  This month the theme has been rhyming, but each month comes with a bonus day of supplies for focus on special days, such as this months Valentines Day.  This week we focused on Valentines, having happy and healthy hearts and having helpful hands  showing others we love them though being helpful and kind.  Love is patient…Love is kind.  Be patient – take time to talk to your child each day … If your child attends Adventure Academy ask them about their LOVELY week with their friends and how your family can extend the theme at home. Be kind – that’s the easiest way to extend this weeks unit.  Be present.  Take time to play and enjoy time with your family.  Need activity ideas – just ask!

MGT valentine party fun

lego cupid hahaha

Adventure Academy has resources for local activities for families.  Adventure Academy is located in Kingsley, Michigan and is Mi Families youth program.  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC has programs for youth, their parents and providers across Michigan.  For more information on our programs visit www.MiFamilies.com.  If you’d like to schedule a workshop for adults or enroll your child(ren) at Adventure Academy email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  If you’d like to network with other parents and providers find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube… If you’d like to see what we’re up to next week and learn more about our assessment and evaluation process click “subscribe” above.  This month we’re finishing up our winter evals and preparing for our spring session activities – and even starting to schedule summer fun! According to one 9 year old – “Love is warm, like the summer sun hugging you.” Join us for fun in the sun and LOVELY adventures year round!

valentine books

book buddies

The kids at Adventure Academy are loving our current rhyming theme.  Mother Goose Time (click for information) has helped us learn all subject matters through nursery rhymes.  We’ve done ABC rhymes and 1-2-3 rhymes, we’ve used rhymes to discuss BIG things and little things… We’ve used rhymes about well know characters and rhymes about famous girls and boys… Even rhymes about food. All our rhymes were picked for a reason.

This month our reason has been assessments.  Last week I mentioned that one of the programs Mi Families (“my families”) LLC provides – through the youth services at Adventure Academy – is assessments.  Parents (and providers) request such authentic assessments because they have been proven to be more accurate from natural observations over time, instead of being administered through tests.

One way to guide observations is by offering activities that provide the child with an opportunity to show their the development throughout different domains.  Mother Goose Time offers assessment materials for teachers, as well as other top rated curriculums we utilize.  This month our MGT rhyme kit provided plenty of opportunities to explore rhyming through literature based activities, as well as math supplies and other open ended learning tools.

Something as simple as a recipe card provided insight into motor skill development and how well the child could follow directions … if a child could guess and test out their science predictions… Math skills were used in measuring and mixing.  Language skills were assessed through reading abilities and discussions… We used sensory input and art / color knowledge… We even ended up with a lesson on matter and mass and volume.  Early ed through elementary ed students worked and played together for hours during such activities.

Some observations are noted during group interactions and other times skills are assessed during one-on-one tutor time sessions.  Adventure Academy has a couple spaces left for tutor time spots and child care services at our Kingsley location.  If your looking for specific assessment and referral services or part time programming email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Feel free to email also if you are looking for parent or provider programs.

Although it’s snowing outside we are currently planning out our summer programs for families and those who work with families.  Our Adventure Academy summer school program is preparing for fun in the sun with education through recreation activities. More information about our year round services can be found at www.MiFamilies.com or through our social media sites: LinkedIN, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube… or by clicking “subscribe” above.

Also subscribe to read next more information about our assessments next week

I am beyond grateful for the praise and recommendations given by providers and parents.  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC continues to develop more programs based on requests and recommendations. Mi Families continues to offer hands on trainings for providers, parent workshops, family events and youth programs across Michigan.  Our youth programs have received the highest ratings for child care and tutoring services.

Today another parent emailed requesting for services after hearing from another that their son went from a reading score of 7 to 19 (out of 20) last semester. I’m trying hard to fit in all requests and tailor each program to meet individual areas of challenges and strengths.  Balancing individual and group activities is keeping me busy – but I’m loving watching our programs thrive. Adventure Academy is our youth program for babies through teens, located in Kingsley, Michigan.

Currently we are enrolling tots to pre teens for full day and part time services.  Elementary explorers work on core subject matters, while discovery daycare students work on basic skills.  Our education through recreation approach teaches through hands on activities.  Each child progresses through the activities and reaches goals at their own speed.  Although there are times for one-on-one and large group experiences, most programs are small group focused.

Small groups help children focus on mastering goals without the distractions of large group settings, but while still offering peer interactions.  Multi-age interactions encourages students to work together in a collaborative environment, learning from one another and building confidence helping each other. Many parents and students have shared how this approach benefited their educational experience.  My own children have greatly benefited!

After recognizing that traditional schooling was not the best option for our boys education we brought them home to “homeschool.”  We have homeschooled at home, on the road with my husbands filming positions, and through our Adventure Academy program – which was there idea! They love “teaching” little ones, having same aged peers over to “work” with, and learning from older students.  They do different subject matters within different peer groups as they are ahead and behind in different areas.

All children grow and develop and learn at different rates.  Multi age programming encourages independence and team work through the developmental domains. Some curriculums (like Mother Goose Time) include activities to support all domain areas.  Mother Goose Time is developed for preschoolers, but with some creativity you can simplify lessons for those not at the intended level and expand lessons for those above the stated ability.

For example this month all ages are working on a rhyme theme.  Mother Goose Time provided a Nursery Rhyme package (many of the pics in this post showcase their materials).  Since the other day was GroundHogs day we expanded on the MGT kit with GroundHog poems and activities.  Tots colored groundhog pics while listening to a poem, our early learners memorized the groundhog poem, and our elementary students wrote their own poem after researching the holiday and groundhogs.

Children do not jump to the next level based on age, but rather stage.  Stage is determined by themselves and their parents.  Often little ones want to do what the older students are doing so I allow them to use the materials as well without expectations.  Expectations are developed only after setting goals using authentic assessments.  What are authentic assessments? Not test scores.  Authentic assessments are evaluations of ones ability through observation during genuine moments.

I provide assessments and referrals for children.  Observation is not completed over a days period but through months of interactions and use of tools such as ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaires®).  Sometimes parents in the program will utilize the service, sometimes parents will call just for assessment purposes, other times providers will call asking me to visit their center and help them address some concerns for their students.

Assessments help discover ways that a child learns best, where additional services may help a child with specific needs, and also assessments help to encourage a chid to thrive in areas of talent.  If you’d like any information on such assessment practices please email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Feel free to email regarding any of Mi Families programs.  Also feel free to check out www.MiFamilies.com for more information or find us on LinkedIN, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube…

Our social media networks are growing as are our programs.  More about our growth and the growth of the children in our programs will be discussed in our next article – so subscribe above for future updates!