There are transitions from babies to big kids, transitions from one program to the next, and transitions from one activity to the next … There are many types of transitions.  Some students transition easily – for others transitions are a challenge.  My own boys find transitions to be stressful.  If we have a change in plans they can handle it, but are less overwhelmed when we explain what to expect during adventures.  This includes explanations during learning adventures.

We use a couple different curriculum packages at Adventure Academy for our child care and tutor time students.  All of the students (tots to pre teens) enjoy theme based learning so we often incorporate the Mother Goose Time curriculum themes for all ages in various way.  January’s theme was “Baby Animals” and February will be “Nursery Rhymes.” Both packages include materials for various subject matters integrated into the theme.  For younger students the educational experience is simplified and for older students the lesson plans are expanded.

All subjects can be explored through simple themes making lessons more real life applicable.  Although subjects have different learning objectives we transition through daily activities easily with use of one theme focus.  Days transition into weeks and months covering different theme studies which need different transition techniques.  Instead of going from baby animals to nursery rhymes over night – we transitioned from baby animals – to baby farm animals – to farm animal themed rhymes.

Mother Goose Time provides many hands on materials and manipulatives for teaching such themes.  Over the past months we’ve built up quite an assortment of animal manipulatives, especially farm animal counters, which came in handy with “this little piggy” playouts and all the sheep poems.  Sometimes manipulatives are so enjoyed we do not transition to the next activity as scheduled.  Sometimes learning goes beyond the lesson plan when transitions are student led.

It’s great to have an expected routine with such predictability, but it’s also important to teach children how to handle free choice time where transitions from one activity to the next are up to their interests.  I love watching the wheels turn in their minds as a simple counting game turns into story problems and when they are bored with the topic they may still enjoy the tools but find a new way to use them for make believe – which is important for the subject of arts, social studies, and more.

Leaving time transition free to learn subjects open-ended provides opportunity for problem solving and language skills to grow.  Allowing activities to be large group, small group or individualized helps students communicate their interests, talents and needs.  Leave plenty of free play time in your schedule for such discoveries and observations.  Observations are the key to authentic assessments and helping teachers learn when to plan transitions.  Transition by definition is the process of changing from one activity or condition to the next.

Providers help transition babies to big kids and schedule activity and program transitions… Adventure Academy is one of Mi Families programs that are in constant transition.  Adventure Academy is currently preparing for our summer activities (even though it’s snowing outside).  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC has programs for children, parents and providers all year round.  To learn more about the types of programs we offer visit www.MiFamilies.com.

If you’d like help learning how to use observation to schedule transitions for your children (or the children you work with) email Christi@MiFamilies.com. Also email Christi if you know a child near Kingsley, Michigan who’d like to join in our learning adventures.  We are currently enrolling for spring and summer sessions.  For more about our summer program CLICK HERE.  To network with other parents and providers in our programs find us on FACEBOOK.  We are also on YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn….

Mi Families hosts holiday celebrations and birthday parties… & Adventure Academy celebrates when kids attend on their bday!

“I can do it myself,” is often heard as little ones transition – striving for independence.  Having a baby on site leads to lots of comparisons of “she can’t walk or talk yet, but I can…” Watching the babies become the big-kids is one of the rewards running a multi-age program.  Daily I get to observe the type of transitions from one activity to the next AND daily I get to note the transitions of a child’s development from one stage to the next. Since I’ve also worked in classrooms where it was one age group or grade level I can easily compare the difference from multi-age programming.

In Los Angeles I had 2o something preschoolers which sounds like a challenge – but it was manageable, since having the same age/stage makes lesson planning easy and they all did the same activities at the same time.  Depending on the day I might currently have 8 children ranging from an infant to 12 year olds in my home-based program.  This leads to challenges of developing multiple lesson plans and balancing different developmental needs – but in some ways it is easier to manage then past programs I’ve taught.  For one thing – there are less bodies to keep count of!

There is also something wonderful about the way a multi age program works where older children enjoy being helpers with their younger peers.  Some lessons it doesn’t matter the age or stage as a younger child might have more experience with the lesson then an older student, and can share knowledge that might otherwise be discounted. Every student has something they are interested in or have talent in – which they can share with the classroom.  Every student has something he or she might struggle with that their peers can encourage growth in.

Multi age programs in my experience has led to confidence building, as well as relationship building. In the real world we do not only interact with those of the same age group.  We interact with people who are older, younger, of different religions, cultures and colors.  Multi age classrooms encourage collaborating with everyone within a community.  Multi age programs help students gain independence and discover their strengths. I believe in focusing on students strengths.  I also believe in letting a child move through the developmental domains at their own speed.

Adventure Academy does not push a child onto the next stage, but encourages continual forward growth.  The curriculum is open ended enough for each student to participate in their own way. One curriculum utilized is Mother Goose Time (click for link).  Mother Goose Time is a theme based preschool package which can be simplified for younger children and expanded on for older students.  For example – when the middle ages are learning about baby animals, their younger friends are being introduced to such concepts (mama duck says quack quack…).  Older students learn about the different practices birds use for egg care (one chose to research daddy penguins caring for eggs).

The transition from one way of learning and sharing their knowledge depends on the child.  Some young children decide they way to do the activity how they see their older friends doing it.  Sometimes older students feel overwhelmed and start back at the basics slowly building up their academic responsibilities.  As I observe competence in an area I’ll encourage a more challenging assignment.  Sometimes a child might choose to do more challenging assignments for one subject, yet still work with younger peers in another area.

There are many benefits to multi age programing and smaller group ratios.  Adventure Academy is a great option for preschoolers who enjoy working with “big kids” and those “young 5’s” who aren’t quite ready for the typical classroom setting.  We also have homeschool students and toddlers and no matter the age/stage we enjoy learning – together.  Making friends, making a mess and make-believing together is the way we learn and grow from babies to big-kids.  If you know a child who’d like to join us in our learning adventures email Christi@MiFamilies.com.

Adventure Academy is one of Mi Families programs (click for link).  Mi Families LLC (“my families”) is for families and those who work with families across Michigan.  Adventure Academy is located in Kingsley, Michigan, but many of our programs are available across the state by team members, and other resources are available through social media.  Learn more about our programs at www.MiFamilies.com.  We are always updating our programs and enrolling for part time and full day child care and tutoring in our youth programs.

We are currently preparing for our summer youth program (click for link).  Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays we will be focusing on summer school – tutor time services. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will offer a summer camp with an education-through-recreation program. I can’t believe it’s time to plan out summer activities while it’s still winter, but 2017 will fly by! Babies will turn into big kids and another year will pass before we know it. Adventure Academy is here to help with developmental assessments, referrals and resources along the way…

We’re only half way through the first month of the new year and 2017 is already proving to be busy.  Very busy.  Mi Families has been growing team members to meet the needs of our growing programs.  One of our ever growing programs is Adventure Academy.  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC has programs for providers and parents , and of course for our youngest of family members.  Adventure Academy is our youth program for infants through teenagers. Currently we have a couple part time openings for tots to pre-teens in our child care and tutoring services.

This week Adventure Academy continued exploring winter adventures – specifically adventures of Michigan Wildlife during our snowy months.  We talked about animal adaptation, hibernation and migration.  We noticed that not all birds migrate south and many stay in Northern Michigan.  We talked about the different types of birds in the area and how they survive the weather and how they find food.  Since some of our sweet kiddos were worried about the birds finding food – we made some pinecone feeders (simply covered cones w/ pb and roll in seed then hung outdoors).

We noted one morning that the extra bird seed scattered outside was gone and wondered if owl’s enjoyed a midnight snack.  We learned about owls and other nocturnal animals.  We discussed traits of different animals and how they differed in appearance and texture.  The kids got realllllllly into texture studies and we spent a great deal this past week exploring winter wildlife with our senses.  Indoors and outdoors we investigated and researched using our 5 senses – especially touch. After all, kids learn best through hands on discoveries.

Adventure Academy uses top rated curriculums for our students educational development.  One curriculum we adapt for all ages is Mother Goose Time, which is designed for preschoolers, but all ages enjoy the hands on activities provided each month.  This months theme is baby animals and next week we’ll transition from learning about winter wildlife to baby animal life.  As this week ended we started transitioning with learning through play activities focused on the difference between wildlife, pet life and farm life.

Each day we explore toys based on the theme and then discuss the theme during circle time – then wrap up the lesson doing a craft, game or other activity during “brain builders.” Brain builder’s are what we call the time spent learning skills that relate to one’s self help skills, large or small motor development, academical development, social emotional growth, etc… We might do reading and writing activities or build on math skills, learn about social studies concepts or science… Mother Goose Time is a curriculum that includes all such activities in 1 box.

While little ones are introduced to new concepts by themes such as “baby animals” – our middle kids build skills on such lessons and our older students research more in-depth on the topic, and teach their younger peers building confidence and encouraging independent study habits.  We currently have students 6months thru 10years of age in our winter program and have a couple part time spaces remaining.  We’ll be opening up more spaces in our spring and even summer programs soon!

2017 will surely fly by with all the thing we have planned for Mi Families programs.  To learn more about our programs visit www.MiFamilies.com.  To enroll your child in our Adventure Academy program (located btwn Cadillac and Traverse City, MI) email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  To network with other parents or providers involved in our programs find us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn… Is there somewhere else online you’d like us to be? Let us know! Have a topic you’d like us a to discuss on these articles – share ideas below!

Adventure Academy is back to our normal schedule / routine – but it’s a new year filled with new adventures and activities for our students! Every day is filled with learning from an education through recreation approach.  Indoors and outside we discover and explore the world around us while learning basic skills.

From self help skills to classroom subjects – infants through pre teens work together through theme based lessons. We have been reviewing winter weather concepts and how we have fun and stay warm and safe in the snow. We are also discussing how animals have fun and stay warm and safe in the snow. Even toddlers have been talking about adaptation, migration and hibernation.

Today’s wind chill is below zero in northern Michigan so we’re being hibernating bears! We’ve been learning about how other animals keep cozy in our areas and how they keep their baby animals bundled.  Next week we’ll learn more about animals and their babies. Animals are a theme loved by all.

Most of our thematic study units come from the Mother Goose Time curriculum.  Many of the pictures posted on here showcase their materials.  MGT materials include crafts, books, recipes, etc to keep you busy all day long. Although our daily activities change often our routine stays the same.

Every morning kiddos join us at our home-based location and enjoy quiet activities til’ everyones awake and/or in attendance.  Then we have breakfast followed by free play.  After free play we come together to talk about what we worked on during free time and what we’ll learn about in todays lessons.

After circle time and some “brain building” activities we head outside for fresh air if the weathers nice and work up an appetite for lunch.  After lunch is “literacy links” while we get ready for resting.  During rest time our big kids (homeschool and tutor time students) work on expanding the daily lesson or complete other homework assignments until the little ones wake.

“Math moments” are set up for waking kids then we have a snack and play and learn some more til’ kids get picked up or until we start preparing for dinner time.  Some kids join us for evening activities or therapeutic services like working on those self-help skills and helping prepare dinner! Kids in the kitchen is always a fun time.

As the day winds down my own kids get one-on-one attention and help me come up with more fun activities to do the next day.  If the next day has little ones joining us it’s easy prep because MGT provides daily activities in individual bags, which you can use in order or in your own order.

We’ve been using them in our own order as the older kids enjoy helping designing transitions from one topic to the next – such as our winter to winter animals to animal babies transition we’re currently in.  Baby animals and babies in general are a fun topic this year with the baby who joined our group.

We have NO more infant spaces available at Adventure Academy, but we do have some part time spaces for tots to pre teens available for child care and tutor time services.  If you know a child who’d like to come join in the fun feel free to email Christi@MiFamilies.com.

If you’d like to know more about other programs for youth or parents or providers check out our website at www.MiFamilies.com OR network with us and our members on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, etc … Mi Families is building online and in-person services across Michigan and we’d love for you to join in the family fun!

Because of holidays and germs we had a very short week at Adventure Academy – so instead of sharing the lil’ we did I thought I’d share a lil’ about what we’re going to do!

This video is a glimps of the Mother Goose Time curriculum.  I say glimps b/c I was having technical issues and it kept cutting off my video taping attempts, but I hope it shows you how easy their kit is to use.  This video is part 1.  I’ll make a part 2 to show useage a later date.. Mother Goose Time is just one of the curriculums Adventure Academy uses for our infant through elementary age students use.  Although it’s intended for preschool students it’s easily adapted for younger students when simplified to learn basic concepts.  Our middle kids use as intended and older learners expand on each subject matter.

Learning ABC’s, 123’s, STEM, arts and other subject matters is easy with the MGT kits contents.  Each bag has a days worth of activities which may include crafts, games, recipes, stories, etc… You can use each bag as intended for easy lesson planning or use pieces of lessons as you desire. For specific lessons and subjects with tutor time students I may mix up our MGT theme with specific curriculums like “All about Reading” or Math U See, Right Start Math or Spelling U See, Handwriting w/o tears or another top rated curriculum.

Curriculum choice and individual lesson planning is determined by evaluating how the child learns best and what the child is interested in learning about.  Focusing on interests and strengths gains quicker and longer lasting results then a focus on delays and needs.  When a child builds confidence in areas of aptitude – (s)he is more eager to try new things and learn about new topics and face areas of struggle. I’m not saying ignore struggles and needs, early intervention is the key to success, but let the child see your focus on where they already excel!

It’s a new year and many are making resolutions to be “better” this year at something.  Make your child feel they are already awesome at something – at many things.  Make them feel ready to conquer the new year with their talents and encourage them to share their strengths and teach others.  One of the benefits to Adventure Academy is the multi-age and stage classroom.  Focus is not placed on what what one should do by a certain age, but on forward progression through developmental domains.

Adventure Academy offers developmental assessments and referrals for our child care and tutor time students as well as community families looking for resources.  Adventure Academy is just one of Mi Families programs.  Mi Families (“my families”) LLC has programs for families and those who work with families across Michigan, although our head quarters is simply a home in Northern Michigan.  Our headquarters is run by parents and providers.  I’m the director, a provider and parent and as a parent my main job is educating and encouraging my own family.

Years ago Mi Families became my New Years resolution after those I worked with talked about the needs of families in our area … I realized most of those needs could be met by simply networking with other parents and providers as everyone has something to share with another and help them out.  Everyone has something they are good at that they can share.  Everyone has a need and there’s no reason we shouldn’t ask for help gaining resources or reaching our resolutions. My resolution is to always ask for help meeting my own needs and offer help to others.

I also resolve to continue learning… I just finished one session of classes getting strait A’s in “Human behavior and temperament traits; 8 intelligences and learning styles; observing and recording children’s development; and assessing developmental delays and disabilities.” We’re never too old to learn new things! AND every child should feel they are smart enough to learn about anything the are curious about! Ask a child today what they want to be when they grow up.  How can you encourage that interest today and empower them to learn more about the subject all year round?

It’s ok if their interests and hobbies change… Mi Families realizes that the needs of parents and providers change often so our programs reflect that.  Check back to our website often to see what programs we are offering each session.  Right now we are scheduling events and enrolling children in our Adventure Academy program for SPRING 2017!!!!! Our winter information has been updated at www.MiFamilies.com.  If you have any questions please feel free to email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  If you’d like to network with some of our members find us on Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube…

Adventure Academy had a short week due to students calling in because of germs, snow days and holiday vacations… but we still managed to have a couple days of fun adventures and lots of learning.

MGT snow set

“peanut” our elf-on-the-shelf set out activities the night b4

Some days we learned from top-rated curriculums, like Mother Goose Time.  This months MGT theme of “Winter in the Woods” fit perfectly with our snow-school learning week.

exploring ice & sequencing / patterns

invitation 2 create snowflakes

We used snow and ice to complete language and literacy activities as well as social studies, art, science, math… We used snow to mix and measure, sort and build…

We used weather and holiday related items to work on shapes, patterns, sequences, number concepts…  and more!

baking soda, water, glitter, fun

melted snow / ice and food coloring

Indoors and outside we enjoyed learning through play. We learned through hands on activities and adventures.

MGT snowshoes set

MGT sled set

Next week we’ll enjoy some Christmas vacation adventures and begin preparing our 2017 activities!

some of our winter books – we have too many to count!

Santa party planning

We have a couple part time spaces available in our tots to pre-teen childcare and tutoring programs.

MGT menu helpers

MGT holiday suggestion guide

all ages love to help cook and create

Adventure Academy is our education through recreation program for youth. Mi Families (“my families”) also has programs for parents and providers.

this years holiday gift bags

bulb-babies

Mi Families, LLC is busy scheduling programs for all ages.  Check out our webpage at www.MiFamilies.com to learn more.

Christmas lights with fingerprints – showing stage progression

Email Christi@MiFamilies.com with any questions and follow us on our social media links to network with our members!

ramp experiments

baby and one her her big buddies

Big bears, middle bears, little bears … red bears, blue bears, green bears, yellow bears … 1 bear, 2 … look at all the things these bears can do.

Bears hibernate in the winter. When it’s too cold to play outside we need need to hibernate too.  But kids can’t rest all day!

We play with our inside gym equipment and dance around to get our wiggles out and build up muscles and build up our motor skills.

We play with learning toys to tire out our brains and build up our basic skills. This week we focused on math skills.

This week we were stuck indoors a couple days, so we continued learning about bears and hibernation and ways we stay warm in the winter.

We read stories by our fake “fire” and built shelters for us and our animal friends to stay warm.

Building with blocks is one of the best learning tools.  Using toy tools adds to the learning experience.

Adventure Academy has many different type of building toys and other learning toys, puzzles, games…

Adventure Academy teaches through hands on learning adventures.  Our adventures are indoors and outside and on field trips.

Adventure Academy is our educational child care and tutoring program for tots to teens in Northern Michigan.

Adventure Academy is one of the programs offered through Mi Families LLC (“my families”).

Mi Families has programs for families and those who work with families.

Learn more about us at www.MiFamilies.com.  Email Christi@MiFamilies.com to enroll your children at Adventure Academy.

Adventure Academy has limited spaces available for our winter 2017 session.

We have fun adventures planned and have begun lesson planning with the help of Mother Goose Time curriculum. Mother Goose Time is a fun thematic curriculum that includes art activities and more. Many pictures above showcase MGT materials!