Mi Families (“my families”) LLC facilitates programs for children, their parents, and their providers (such as teachers). All programs have an “education through recreation” focus – meaning participants learn through fun activities.

Activities are offered for multi age classes through community groups and homeschool partnerships.  Depending on the class and age-range we have top rated curriculums to choose from!

Curriculums choosen often have an open-ended approach to assist in meeting the students diverse needs.  For example many of the pictures showcased in this article are from Mother Goose Time…

MGT is a preschool focused curriculum that can be simplified for the littlest learners and expanded on for older students.  My child development class encourages tweens and teens to think of ways to utilize the materials with 0-5 year olds.

Themed based curriculums help us transition topics.  Last month we used MGT’s
“Friends and Feelings” kit which we transitioned to friends around the world – then weather/seasons around the world.  Now we are focusing on the season of fall.

Fall will transition to farming and orchard topics.  Themed based topics can be used to teach all subject matters to all types of learners. Students who are “gifted and talented” are encouraged to expand on lessons and assist in teaching others.

Special needs students are included in our programs and work through activities in their own way and in their own time.  One-on-one and small group tutor times are also available to assist them in developing new skills and meeting developmental needs.

If you’d like to learn more about our programs visit www.MiFamilies.com or email Christi@MiFamilies.com.  You can also network with our team or members on LinkedIN, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube… You can also learn more about Mother Goose Time’s curriculum by visiting www.MotherGooseTime.com.

This fall started off with learning about ourselves and our families.

We learned about how special and unique ourselves and our families are.

We learned about using our strengths to help others who are struggling.

All of our programs talked about ways to show family and friends love.

Infants through adults worked on caring community projects.

Participants learned ways to communicate with people near and far.

Technology helps us communicate and create around the world.

Technology helps us learn more about other places, people, and animals.

We focused on responsibility and respect for everything and everyone.

Our littlest learners used Mother Goose Time to learn about “Friends & Feelings.”

Older students expanded on the lessons and helped plan transitional topics.

Topics are flowing from people around the world to world weather.

Weather transitions to seasons and learning about local fall changes.

Mother Goose Time’s “Orchard Harvest” pack will help us learn about tree life.

Tree life will lead to wonderful lessons on primary to secondary color mixing in our art classes… We have many classes for children, parents, and providers and I can’t believe it’s time to start planning our winter courses.  If you have thoughts on what you’d like us to offer please contact Christi@MiFamilies.com.  Check www.MiFamilies.com to see what we have been offering and visit us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, & YouTube to network with our members and team !

To learn more about MOTHER GOOSE TIME visit  https://www.mothergoosetime.com/

Exactly 1 month ago we started our fall schedule.  It still felt like summer then, but it feels like fall now – actually it feels like winter!

Snow was reported in spots of Northern Michigan where some trees are still green, but leaves are changing and falling fast!

As the seasons transition so do our lessons.  We started off this semester with lessons about ourselves, our families, and our friends.

We learned about reading “feeling faces” as we discussed emotions using Mother Goose Time’s “Friends and Feelings” curriculum.

MGT is a prepackaged curriculum designed for preschoolers, which can be simplified for the littlest learners and expanded on for older students.

As our youngest friends learned concepts of emotions, older students researched ways to communicate their feelings.

MGT provided crafts, workbooks, storybooks, manipulatives and other supplies that kept our classes busy learning!

Mi Families uses many top rated curriculums throughout our programs for families and those who work with families.

Those who work with families, such as teachers, love our unique trainings. CLICK HERE for more information!

Parents can CLICK HERE to learn about our parent and family workshops.

Trainings, workshops, and youth classes continue to grow and continue to “reach out with resources.”

All of our programs have an “education through recreation” approach meaning we make learning fun!

Our hands on learning approach is designed with take home resources for each class.

While learning about people and emotions connection resources were sent home and crafts were made to showcase learning.

After learning about emotions we transitioned to learning about how we communicate through feeling faces, body language, writing and spoken words.

Young students played communication games with each other, wrote letters to people, and created pretend computers and phones.

Playing with phones led to lessons on when to use 911 and what to do in case of an emergency.

Emergency lessons and basic safety is taught each week in our child care courses for adult providers, as well as in our teen child-development class.

Our child-development students will continue learning about keeping kiddos safe, while also learning how to keep them busy.

Our future teachers and caregivers are learning how to plan activities and transition through activities.

We transition through activities and themes to keep student interested.

Making smooth transitions helps students build connections in their learning.

Building connections across themes helps students relate lessons to the world around them.

From colors to shapes to math to reading and writing – all subject matters can be taught through a simple theme.

Our youth services incorporate all subject matters (STREAMS) Science, Technology, Reading (&wRiting), Engineering, Art, (Music&) Math, Social Studies (&hiStory).

Our parent and provider programs can show you how to incorporate hands on learning themes into your homes or programs.

Parent and provider programs can help you develop schedules and routines for your home and programs.

Parent and provider programs can share ways to turn chaos into calmness, organize environments, complete “homework without tears…”

Parent and provider programs can help you learn ways to communicate with children – and help you teach children to communicate with others.

Communication is the key to success in any home or program.  For our programs to continue to grow tell us what services you’d like us to provide! Share your thoughts and network with our members and team on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIN!

weekly and daily schedules…

Do you keep a calendar for appointments? Do you write out to-do-lists for work, chores, shopping, etc? Most adults have a plan of what their day will look like and what they hope to accomplish. It keeps us feeling in control, even if it doesn’t always go as planned.

all about me… my family and friends…

Recently I asked kids about the plan for their day and many expressed frustration that they never know what to expect.  Even young children need predictable daily routines or at least warnings before activity transitions. For toddlers and preschoolers I’ve always hung up picture schedules.

creating friendship puzzles

As my own kids and students get older I have them help define schedules and remind them of transitions. We talk through what goals need to be accomplished and how to prioritize the schedule order. Learning how to schedule activities is a life skill.

MGT craft kits

Learning how to organize our life helps us feel more in control. Feeling in control makes our world seem more calm – and less chaotic!  This week we talked about other ways to feel calm and in control.  As we continue learning about ourselves, our families and our friends, we talked about supportive people and our own “mindfulness.”

Hands on learning

Next week we’ll transition to lessons on feelings.  How to know when we’re feeling overwhelmed and how to know what others are feeling.  We’ve been using the “Friends and Feelings” curriculum from Mother Goose Time. Lessons are simplified for our littlest learners and expanded on for our older students.

MGT manipulatives&books

We have access to top rated curriculums and learning materials for our homeschool classes, tutoring programs, parent workshops and provider trainings.  We’re filling up quickly, but some fall services still have spaces if you’d like to enroll.  Contact Christi@MiFamiles.com or visit www.MiFamilies.com for more information! Also find MiFamilies on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn!

and just like that – summers over

The beginning of the school year feels chaotic to many.  Many parents, students, and teachers feel overwhelmed with changes to their environments and schedules.  I try and keep our schedule flexible, but with similar routines year round to make seasonal transitions easier.  In the fall when I have new students, or new classes, I start by letting everyone know what to expect – what the routine will be during our time together.  We go over the rules so students know what is expected of them.  The rules are simple: be responsible and respectful.

Being responsible means learning to take care of oneself.  It means making sure you brush your teeth and do your homework, etc.  Being respectful means learning to care for other people.  It means being kind and helpful, helping others with chores and helping others learn… We talk about reasons we want to be respectful and responsible, and reasons we have rules. Rules help turn chaotic environments into calm areas. Rules help keep us safe.  Safety drills also help keep us safe.

During the first couple sessions we go over drills and safety plans for homes, schools, and out in the community.  We talk about how we learn to stay calm in drills, so if there is ever an emergency we can stay as safe as possible.  We want everyone safe and healthy, because everyone is special – important – valued…  Everyone is a part of our team – a hero team.  We start off the school year with an “all about me” theme talking about how everyone is a hero who can help others.

This last week we transitioned from the theme of ME to the theme of family.  We talked about how each family is a unique team.  We talked about team work and helping out our families.  I teach infants through adults so such lessons look differently depending on the class.  Preschoolers might talk about helping pick up toys, elementary students might draw a picture of why their family is special, teens might write ways their family can help the community, parents might learn new team building games to play at home with their kids…

Different stages learn differently.  Mi Families (“my families”) programs are stage before age based and include provider trainings, parent workshops, individualized tutoring services, and group class (such as Body and Brain builders (lg/sm motor development), Sensory Studies (art class), Journalism, Child Development… Parent and Me Playgroups, etc..).  To learn more about program options visit www.MiFamilies.com. To enroll your child in tutor time email Christi@MiFamilies.com.

All programs, especially tutoring services, include “education through recreation” activities through top rated curriculums, such as our early-education Mother Goose Time curriculum.  This month MGT has prepared a “Friends and Feelings” kit we’re transitioning to next week as we go from ourselves, to our families, to our friends, and learning more about our world. Our world studies will help us continue learning how to be responsible and respectful – to ourselves, other people, and the world around us.

SEPT18 CLICK for this months schedule !

You Rule! Yes – you.  Everyone who reads this is post is awesome. Taking time to read makes you smarter, so your awesome and smart.  Reading articles about kids and families means you’re a caring person.  You’re an awesome, smart, and caring person. I might not know you, but I’m thankful for you. I’m thankful you’re taking a moment to read this.

I’m thankful for your support and hope you have supportive people in your life. During a recent youth survey many kiddos reported they felt no-one supported them.  They felt no-one appreciated them or complimented their efforts.  It’d be weird to walk around town telling everyone they are awesome, but I will try and make everyone in my programs feel valued.

This week we started our Back2School programs. I have a few tutoring spots left for fall students if you know anyone who’d love some ideas for “homework without tears.” I’m also scheduling other youth services, parent workshops and provider trainings… My husband and I also keep busy teaching through our public – school / home – school partnership.

There are amazing classes offered through the partnership.  Some of the classes my husband’s taught are photography and photoshop, filmmaking, drama, robotics, martial arts… I’ve taught cooking classes, parent and me preschool programs, child development, and elementary art classes.  This semester I’m also teaching a small/large motor skill class and sensory studies.

School settings, community environments, and home based programs all need to be structured differently.  The way a setting is organized sets up participants for success vs struggles.  This month I focus on spaces to be user-friendly with activities to promote self worth.  This month all my programs will have a “you are awesome” focus.  Our youngest participants will be using Mother Goose Time’s “Friends and Feelings” curriculum to build on their awesome social/emotional development.

As the month builds we’ll transition from learning about our selves – to our family and friends – and learn about responsibility and respect.  We’ll learn ways to feel confident in our responsibilities.  We’ll learn ways to be respectful towards others.  We’ll learn how rules keep us kind and safe …and how our senses keep us safe and healthy.  Feel free to check back to see what we’re up to and contact Christi@MiFamilies.com to join in the fun! Also visit www.MiFamilies.com for more information and find us on LinkedIN, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, ect…

SEPT18 CLICK for this months schedule !

It’s Labor Day – meaning summer is ending.  It’s time to prepare for fall! For many fall means Back 2 School.  Mi Families is preparing back-2-school programs for providers, parents, and youth.  Our learning adventures have an “education through recreation” focus.  This means we’ll learn through hands on and open ended activities, using our bodies and brains to heighten our senses, while making us stronger and smarter.

CLICK images to enlarge

One of our classes is actually called “Body and Brain Builders,” and another is “Sensory  Studies.” Our director, Christi Morgan, will be teaching these classes, along with Journalism, Debate, Child Development, and Early Education at a homeschool partnership – through a Northern Michigan public school program. These programs (and others) are also available through other public and private groups.

Christi also offers group and individual tutoring sessions, parent and me preschool playgroups, family workshops, and teacher trainings… One training teachers, caregivers, and homeschool parents have enjoyed is “curriculum combat.”  Deciding which curriculum to use is a challenge with so many options, and most are pre-packed for particular age groups. Students need stage before age options…

Every student learns at their own pace and in their own way.  Open ended curriculums, such as Mother Goose Time, make lesson planning easy and can be simplified for the littlest of learners and expanded upon for older students.  Students need open ended experiences and environments to learn through. Environments outdoors, in centers, and in homes can be maximized for learning.

Christi is trained to help maximize learning environments.  As she sets up her program areas, feel free to ask her to come help set up yours! Providers can earn credit hours for environment education!  This past week kids learned lots about learning environments during the last week of Mi-mini-camps.  We prepared our bodies and brains for school, while exploring fables and folktales about sharing our knowledge, interests, and talents with others.

For more information about how we share knowledge through Mi Families (“my families”) LLC – visit www.MiFamilies.com.  Also feel free to network with our team and family members on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn… and feel free to learn more about Mother Goose Time at www.MotherGooseTime.com (Some of the pics posted showcase their curriculum materials.)

Email Christi@MiFamilies.com to sign up for programs!

Also email Christi for more information about the Homeschool Partnership or services her husband (Jeff Morgan) provides from film/video work and instructional courses, photography/photoshop work and classes, computer programming and robotics courses, self defense classes and more!

I can’t believe it’s time to go Back 2 School already! As summer comes to an end I’m starting to get lots of calls for services and program enrollment! There are limited spaces left for tutoring and we’re starting to enroll for programs like “Parent and Me PLAYschool…”

click 4 Mi Families / my family schedule

Fall is going to keep Mi Families (“my families”) LLC and my own family busy! So we’re starting to organize our schedules and curriculums.  Our “education through recreation” programs have access to some amazing curriculums.  One curriculum we utilize is Mother Goose Time.

Mother Goose Time is a pre-packaged program designed for preschool stages which can be simplified for the littlest of learners and expanded on for older students.  Older students love expanding on the themes and helping teach their younger peers.

Students and siblings have gathered around fires for storytelling and this week separated stories into fact and fiction, as well as fables, folktales and tall-tales.  The tale tales about Paul Bunyan were some of their favorite stories and activities.

As we get closer to school starting we’ll focus on the importance of reading and writing and how to expand stories to learn all subject matters.  Mi Families offers curriculums crossing STREAMS (Science, Technology, Reading (&wRiting), Art (&Music), Math, Social Studies (&hiStory).

Our one-on-one, small group, and large group programs provide fun activities for learning across all domains.  Feel free to visit www.MiFamilies.com for more program information or email Christi@MiFamilies.com to enroll! Also find us on LinkedIN, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest…

We’re having an adventurous summer as a family and through Mi – Mini – Camps! During the summer Mi Families (“my families) offers flexible summer camp options for tots to teens.  Families don’t have to commit to full time services and can build their schedule based on part-time or on-call needs! We have only 2 weeks left of this summer’s program, but have a couple openings due to other families taking vacation time…

MGT treasure crafting collage

This past week we had lots of families out on their own summer adventures and we can’t wait to hear about their treasured times spent together.  Adventures should always include treasured times – and treasure hunting! While finishing up our summer travels unit we talked about the treasures we can find while exploring.  We talked about natural treasures and world wonders and man made mysteries…

Man made mysteries were a great transition for our next unit on Story Telling. Our kids have been loving telling mystery stories around campfires.  We’ve been telling tales about our summer adventures, and now it’s time to tell “Back to School” stories.  As we head back to school we’ll be learning about schools around the world, and read fables and folktales that teach us about the world, different cultures, and encourage character building.

Fables and Folktale lessons will be using Mother Goose Time’s prepackaged curriculum.  As teachers and homeschoolers prepare for back to school I’d recommend this easy to use curriculum for preschoolers.  If you use a multi-age/stage approach lessons can be simplified for the littlest of learners to learn concepts, while older students can expand on the themed lessons.

While finishing up the Nature Detectives curriculum from MGT, our older students used lessons to further research on surviving in the wild, how to build shelters, how to read a compass and star maps, how to forge for food, how to find treasure… What they found was the treasure of play and creating away from technology this summer! If you’d like to join us next summer for such treasures email Christi@MiFamilies.com.

Feel free to also email regarding our fall programs.  We’re preparing for tutoring and education-through-recreation groups for youth, family events and playgroups, parent and provider workshops… Updates will be posted on our www.MiFamilies.com webpage as well as our social media sites: Facebook, Pinterest. YouTube, LinkedIN… Let us know where else you’d like us to be posting program reminders!

CLICK for LARGER IMAGE of Developmental Services

And visit www.MotherGooseTime.com for more information about 1 of the curriculums we use!

Mi Families (“my families”) programs were on break recently as my family took our summer vacation.

Before we left (and after we returned) we continued learning more about our “blue world”  … Traveling across blue waters and exploring the blue skies.

We talked about watching the sky for weather and uses for water in our everyday lives. We enjoyed lots of water activities!

Kids learn best through hands on activities that stimulate their senses.  We used water in ways that required looking, listening, feeling, tasting, even smelling.

We used small and large motor skills to learn more about waterways, flying and land transportation.

Mi Families often receives special discounts for field trips, where families can continue building on such lessons.

Even the fair counts as a field trip when you consider it a continuation of transportation themed lessons.  From swings to space travel…

Fairs and other summer adventures are a great way to stimulate ones senses.  Sometimes it’s sensory overload!

During summer stimulation it’s important to also find time to disconnect from the world and relax unplugged.

My own kids didn’t ask for tv or computers once while out camping in Michigan’s upper peninsula.

Without any structured lessons or field trips they continued to learn a great deal while exploring “the blue.”

They explored the great lakes and rivers and waterfalls – and the creatures and sand and rocks below the surface.

Mi Families has lists of FREE family fieldtrip ideas to such locations.  Email Christi@MiFamilies.com for more information.

Also feel free to email regarding group field trips and upcoming fall programs for families – and those who work with families.

From infant playgroups and parent&me preschool activities, to elementary classes and teen services,  to family events, provider workshops…

Kids, adults, and multiage programming is being scheduled for the 2018-19 school year.  I can’t believe it’s already August!

Luckily there’s still lots of summer adventures across our state with forts, and fairs, and other fun family field trips to explore.

As students enroll for fall programs their summer stories will help us start lesson plans based on their adventures and interests.

Many students want to learn more about the animals they saw on vacations, and learn about upcoming seasonal and holiday themes.

Using seasonal and holiday themes for lesson planning keeps kids engaged as they can apply the lessons to every day life moments.

Theme curriculums are great for simplifying concepts for the littlest learners and expanding on unit studies for older students.

Mi Families has many wonderful curriculum options, such as Mother Goose Time’s themed kits… which we utilize in during 1on1, small and large group programs.

Our NEW fall programs are being designed with an “education through recreation” approach, intended to make learning fun!

Click  AUGUST18 to see the fun learning we’ll have in our mini camps for the rest of this month.  There are still a couple part time spots if you know a kiddo who’d like to finish off the summer with us- as we move from our sensory summer activities to summer stories and fall folktales/fables!