As kindergartners are expected to learn 1st grade curriculums – preschoolers are pushed into kindergarten lessons – taking away time to play and explore the world – taking away opportunities to build social/emotional skills. Research has proven that schools pushing for “academic excellence” are actually pushing students away from learning. Instead of giving you supportive data I’ll encourage you to do some “reading for research” and discover how countries, like Finland, find their school systems to be winning the worlds academic race without pushing students.
Instead of pushing – Mi Families (“my families”) is following examples of what’s working for others and assisting young to old in finding a love for learning. Mi Families LLC facilitates programs for families and those who work with families. Programs include provider trainings, parent workshops, family events, youth services … Youth services range from developmental daycare to teen-team-builders. Some of our programs are hosted at schools, churches and community centers, while others are offered in my home.
As the director of Mi Families I have 2 Bachelor Degrees in child and family education and over 2 decades in supportive fields. My background has helped me build up resources of people and supplies. Supplies include a vast library of curriculums for infants through adults. One curriculum pictured in this article is Mother Goose Time who sends a pre-packaged theme each month. The lesson plans are designed for preschoolers, but even the littlest-learners are exposed to basic concepts, while older students expand on each activity. Hands on activities are one way to encourage a love for learning.
Encouraging education is different then pushing academics. Encouraging education means encouraging curiosity through engaging curriculums and intriguing learning atmospheres. Inviting students to learn indoors and outside, invites students to learn through open ended experiences. This week we’re experiencing “Water Wonders.” We’ve transitioned through learning about the sky and weather to the water cycle. We learned about water as a liquid, solid and gas. We learned about water ways, water life and water transportation.
Living in Northern Michigan we learned about the blessing of our local Great Lakes and the difference between fresh and salt water. Students were excited to learn through MGT’s “Ocean Commotion” activities. The activities encouraged students to read-for-research beyond their assignments! Students are encouraged to dive deeper into all topics with age/stage appropriate materials. For our littlest learners this simply means providing a room that has toys ready for pretend, a print rich environment with labels and picture books, and supplies ready for writing and crafting out ideas.
If you have a little one who’d like to explore learning through such themes check out www.MotherGooseTime.com. If you have a tot to teen who could benefit from a fun part-time daycare experience or tutor time session let me know! If you’d like to learn more about provider/parent programs or network with our team/members find us on LinkedIn, FaceBook, YouTube, Pinterest, etc… We’re growing on social media and growing programs as spring starts to grow around us! Well, I guess first the snow must melt, but we’re ready to start our spring sessions, which includes Earth Day events…
* PS – Lots pics show off our PJ party day 😉 Usually kids dress for weather/activities
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