tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14396200354164567782024-03-06T00:16:38.459-08:00A Secure BaseAmy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-86162833566413266932014-01-28T12:51:00.000-08:002014-01-28T12:51:41.706-08:00Best Books for the Five SensesWe are starting to dive into our next unit- the five senses. Given the importance that sensorial activities have in a primary Montessori education, it's a great place to start and incredibly easy to integrate with Montessori activities. As always, our first stop to building our shelves was the library. Stay tuned for more posts about five senses activities and, eventually, a tour of our shelves. And, check out my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mamagatzemeyer/five-senses-unit/">Five Senses pintrest page</a> for more ideas!<br />
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Here are our favorite books on the five senses for early learners:<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Ocean-Pam-Munoz-Ryan/dp/0881069884">Hello, Ocean!</a> This is a beautifully illustrated book. The poetic text is a great way to introduce young readers to different writing styles. Poetry is especially important within a Montessori education as it highlights the beauty of language. Introducing poetry early on provides for a basis for a love of poetry later in life.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Manya-Stojic/dp/0385737297">Rain</a>. Another book with great illustrations- simple and colorful. Sing-song and repetitive text that is simple enough for a young child to quickly memorize and recite. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forest-Friends-Senses-Cristina-Garelli/dp/037581308X">Forest Friends Five Senses.</a> Q-ball loves this book. Like many children this age, she's currently working on role playing going to the doctor over and over and over and over. Within this book, the forest friends each have to take a trip to Owl (the doctor) to get one of their senses corrected. I ultimately want to use this book to encourage Q-ball to create her own story about the five senses. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Five-Senses-Lets-Read-Find-Out-Science/dp/006445083X">My Five Senses.</a> Great introductory book to the five senses. Simple text and illustrations. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kevins-Book-Senses-Kevin-Katie/dp/1605371246">Kevin's Big Book of the Five Senses. </a>I must admit, this author is not always my favorite. But, I do enjoy this book. It's highly interactive. It's scaffolds activities by introducing the sense, giving examples, and then encouraging the child to find examples in her life.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bats-at-Beach-Bat-Book/dp/B004TE7JOI">Bats at the Beach. </a>We love this series of books! I was excited to see how easily they fit with a five senses unit. Nearly every page includes a very descriptive verse that relates to one of the five senses. After mastering knowledge of the senses, the child should be able to read this book and identify the sense described. </li>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-77888783986694798552013-12-15T05:25:00.000-08:002013-12-15T05:25:02.350-08:00Teaching Grace and Courtesy to a Toddler: Our Homemade Manners Book In lieu of a totally Christmas focused unit during this season, I opted to embark on a big grace and courtesy push prior to visiting family. In line with the Dr. Montessori's idea that young children have a strong need for order in their environment (most often notable by a clean and neat space), social graces and acceptable behavior provide young children with clear standards by which to interact with others. These social courtesies also enhance the respectful atmosphere found in Montessori classrooms. In our house, we have used three methods to teach grace and courtesy: modeling, role playing, and finding examples in books.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knock on a closed door. (Important for visiting family!)</td></tr>
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<i>Modeling</i><br />
Up to this point, we have primarily modeled social graces for Q-ball. According to Dr. Montessori, this is the most influential way to teach grace and courtesy. We say please, thank you, and excuse me. And, we model behaviors like gently opening and closing doors, greeting others, waiting in line, placing our napkins in our laps, expressing concern when someone is upset or hurt, and expressing admiration for other people's work. Even without any previous prompts or instruction these phrases and behaviors have occasionally slipped into Q-ball's habits (the latter more than the former.)<br />
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<i>Role-playing </i><br />
Recent holidays provided opportunities for grace and courtesy role-playing. Given that Q-ball's current favorite method of play is pretending, these activities have been a huge hit. Before starting the role- playing activity, I modeled the exact phrases and actions for Q-ball. For Halloween, we practiced how to greet and thank people while trick-or-treating. Q-ball loved this so much that she actually still asks to play! And, for Thanksgiving, we held several tea parties to learn basic table manners as well as practical life skills like napkin folding, table setting, and flower arranging. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.</td></tr>
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<i>Reading </i><br />
I've done several <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/search/label/books">posts on books</a> as they are always a favorite in our house. When I plan a new unit or when Q-ball expresses interest in a new topic, my first stop is always our library's online catalog. Our manners unit was no different, and I checked out every age appropriate book I could find. Sadly, I wasn't overly impressed with the selection. Q-ball did enjoy the books, but I was a little more critical. I found many were a little too broad (I don't expect her to master manners from all aspects of life at this point) or too silly (many books were a bit tongue and cheek, making light of bad manners, but this may be a little abstract for a toddler just learning the appropriate social expectations.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q-ball enjoying her very own <i>Big Book of Manners</i></td></tr>
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However, some good did come out of not being able to find a great manners, book, as we decided to make our own! Q-ball was very excited to be in her own "Big Manner's Book" after reading so many others.<br />
Here's what we did:<br />
<ol>
<li> Introduced basic social graces through Model, Role-play, Read (see above!): again and again and again and again and again</li>
<li>Make a list of our most important manners: I guided Q-ball through this activity. I asked her to recall our role-playing activities and what phrases or actions we use in certain situations. We also went page by page through her manners books, and she identified selected manners using the pictures as cues. We came up with a list of 12 manners.</li>
<li>Take pictures! I tried to take pictures of Q-ball preforming the action or stating the phrase as it was actually happening. This was pretty easy to do for table manners and cleaning up, but some pictures (like covering your mouth when you sneeze) had to be posed. But, posing made Q-ball more excited to see the final book, so it worked out well.</li>
<li>Make a photo book. I used an online program for our local drugstore, so we'd be able to pick the book up together for more immediate toddler gratification. This process was a little arduous for Q-ball, so I did this and let Q-ball see the product preview.</li>
<li>Pick-up your photo book and read!</li>
</ol>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-90611851379212602642013-12-07T14:12:00.000-08:002013-12-07T14:12:51.231-08:00Our Montessori Non-NurseryI love, love, love looking at pictures of Montessori nurseries on blogs. While pregnant with TRex, I dreamed of having such a beautiful nursery. There was one significant setback, however: our apartment is one room shy of a nursery for a baby. So, I've tried to recreate some of the best aspects of Montessori nurseries with a mobile, temporary twist. Here's what we do...<br />
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1) <i>Mirror in Q-ball's room</i>- This is key for any Montessori baby, so we had to ensure TRex had a mirror. Our toddler's bedroom is an ideal location. Q-ball was excited about its installation as she, of course, sees the mirror as primarily hers and is able to use it for dressing, fixing her hair, and watching herself jump on the bed. And, while I'm working with Q-ball in her room, TRex is able to hang out in the corner and enjoy the mirror.<br />
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2) <i>A Mobile Mobile- </i>With the lack of a nursery and the lack of any additional space in our apartment (see more posts on adapting Montessori for a small space <a href="http://asecurebase.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-prepared-environment-in-small-space.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-store-toys-in-small-space.html">here</a>), we knew that we needed to create a mobile that was not permanent. My crafty husband and helpful toddler worked together to build a mobile mobile. They used suggestions from <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-store-toys-in-small-space.html">here </a>and <a href="http://montessorihomes.blogspot.com/2011/04/long-awaited-toy-tripod.html">here</a>. Our mobiles are from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellascasa">Bella's Casa</a>- TRex loves them! As you can see in the pictures, we move the mobile wherever there's space at the time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In one corner of the living room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the dining room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the other corner of the living room.</td></tr>
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3) <i>High-Contrast Pictures</i>- Given infants still developing eyesight, they are drawn to high-contrast colors, namely black and white. According to Montessorian theory, looking at black and white pictures develops visual discrimination. Many of the nurseries I envy have beautiful framed black and white pictures hanging a the infant's eye level. Key features of our non-nursery are cardstock black and white pictures (also from Bella's Casa). I can set these up wherever I happen to set TRex down.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the bathroom while I shower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkIXec5KRMQqUb4OSvhOXeYYmybJ7RNzhUksJydJ85r33oLsx96mvsy70lG18fcBDakTEmM-6Lbbls7lHe1akqU3hAisvnClFsR2LDRNerB_NtYVJbnTYZEeilUUxv4TSZhIZ2Zr-OJI2/s1600/DSC02760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkIXec5KRMQqUb4OSvhOXeYYmybJ7RNzhUksJydJ85r33oLsx96mvsy70lG18fcBDakTEmM-6Lbbls7lHe1akqU3hAisvnClFsR2LDRNerB_NtYVJbnTYZEeilUUxv4TSZhIZ2Zr-OJI2/s320/DSC02760.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the laundry room/kitchen during diaper washing.</td></tr>
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<i>Do you have a mobile Montessori practice? How have you adapted Montessori ideas to fit your home?</i><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-50730546366173505372013-10-15T13:06:00.002-07:002013-10-15T13:06:50.507-07:00Our Montessori Pumpkin UnitBefore I seemed to realize it, Q-ball now over the 2.5 year hump, and quickly approaching 3 years old! Toddlers who attend a traditional Montessori Children's House start as early as 18 months! Thus, it is time for me to start to ensure their is direction in our learning. When following other blogs and even when reading books on the Montessori principle, it can be easy to get caught up fun activities to do, especially for toddlers and pre-schoolers. So, I decided to reach back into the basics of my education education and start from the standards.<br />
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Here's our Montessori unit overview, based upon the Montessori standards from <a href="http://montessoricompass.com/">Montessori Compass</a> and our state's pre-school standards. For those familiar with various curriculum planning methods, I'm using the Understanding by Design method here. From this unit plan, I developed specific lesson plans that follow the same format. If any are a smashing success or maybe a dismal failure, I'll share as well!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJpnFLv57m1n8SgqwDfLoUE5DV9gVCrUbRiRVmaF52A1rdgG_HbA2Cpk7P-ebut5pP_LjY-wbDyiwT-Lwdk1KzKRBUaz7-VQXCmVThZOoZ8vnBAWba7io85YH3WSrrxwYG7E_b3E2lg2Z/s1600/DSC02720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJpnFLv57m1n8SgqwDfLoUE5DV9gVCrUbRiRVmaF52A1rdgG_HbA2Cpk7P-ebut5pP_LjY-wbDyiwT-Lwdk1KzKRBUaz7-VQXCmVThZOoZ8vnBAWba7io85YH3WSrrxwYG7E_b3E2lg2Z/s320/DSC02720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first sensory box!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Established Goals: </i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
From Montessori Compass<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Holds crayon as
demonstrated <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Holds paintbrush as
demonstrated<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Demonstrates understanding
of item’s position: top, bottom, high, low, etc. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Is able to understand
basic ideas of day and night<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Conversation pictures:
answers specific questions about pictures<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Works to complete a
picture with pattern blocks with assistance<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Independently works sorts
items by size puzzle by size<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">One-to-one association
activities <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
From State Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum Standards<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child takes care of and manages classroom materials. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child uses category labels
to understand how the words/objects relate to each
other. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child engages in pre<span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cambria Math";">‐</span>reading and reading<span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cambria Math";">‐</span>
related activities. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child retells or re<span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cambria Math";">‐</span>
enacts a story after it is read aloud. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child uses
information learned from books by
describing, relating, categorizing, or
comparing and contrasting<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child counts 1<span style="font-family: "Cambria Math","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cambria Math";">‐</span>10 items, with one count per item.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child identifies and
describes the characteristics of organisms.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child describes life cycles of organisms. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo8;">Child demonstrates an understanding that
others have perspectives and feelings that are
different from her own<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Understandings:<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">All
living organisms have a life cycle.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Books can
describe both real-life experiences and make-believe stories.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">We can
re-enact events in books.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">We can
re-create images.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">A
single number is associated with a single quantity.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Every
object has characteristics that distinguish it from another object.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Some
objects share similarities.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Individuals
are responsible for maintaining their own tools and space.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">There
is a proper way to use writing utensils. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Objects
or symbols can represent holidays or a time of year.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">Day and night have
different purposes and characteristics.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Essential Questions:<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How
does a pumpkin develop?<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How
can pumpkins be the same?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can
they be different?<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How
can you determine quantity?<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How can
you tell it’s Halloween time?<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How
can you tell it’s nighttime?<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How
can you tell it’s daytime?<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How
can you determine if a story in a book can happen in real-life or if it is
make-believe?<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">How
can you take care of your own materials and space?<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Learning Objectives:<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Knowledge:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Define
the parts of a pumpkin.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Identify
the elements of a pumpkin’s lifecycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Identify
colors, sizes, shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Define
location words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Count
from one to five.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Identify
features of Halloween.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Identify
features of night time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in;">Identify
features of day time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Skills: <o:p></o:p></i><br />
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Uses a
crayon or pencil to trace a line and color a picture.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Uses a
paintbrush to decorate a pumpkin.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Completes
a pattern puzzle with assistance.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Describe
various pumpkins.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Describes
a pumpkin’s lifecycle.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Sort
items by size.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Retell
a story.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Re-enact
events in a story.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Compare
and contrast items.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Use
one-to-one association when counting from one to five.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Describe
the events that take place on Halloween.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Cleans
up materials when project is complete.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Demonstrates
care when reading books.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Demonstrate
concepts of print.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;">Student
uses visual cues to identify feelings.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Performance Tasks:<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Summative Assessment:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 1:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
We will visit a pumpkin patch to
select our Halloween pumpkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
there, you will do the following:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9;">When possible, identify
elements of the pumpkin life cycle.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9;">Describe the pumpkins you
see, to include location.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9;">Compare and contrast
pumpkins.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9;">Place pumpkins in order
according to size.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo9;">Describe why you selected
the pumpkin you did.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 2:</b><br />
We will decorate our
pumpkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this process, you will
complete the following tasks:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo10;">Re-create actions from
the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How Many Seeds in a
Pumpkin?</i><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo10;">Count pumpkin seeds using
the one-to-one association method.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo10;">Use a paintbrush to
decorate your pumpkin.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 3:</b><br />
We will go
trick-or-treating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During and after this
event, you will do the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo11;">Identify Halloween items.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo11;">Describe our activities.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Describe our pumpkin activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Explain what you liked and what you did not
like. Describe what you would like to do again in the future, and if you would
do anything differently.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Key Criteria:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;">Accuracy
of information.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;">Participation.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Other Evidence:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in;">Completion
of pattern puzzle<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in;">Completion
of Connect the dot activities<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in;">Read-aloud
involvement<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in;">Ability
to follow directions<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in;">Ability
to maintain workspace<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Learning Plan- </i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Day
1- Read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pick a Perfect Pumpkin </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How
Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?</i> Introduce final assessment, which mirrors
activities in both books. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Day
1- Trip to grocery store to see and feel pumpkins. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Day
2- Complete connect the dots activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Day
3- Complete pattern puzzle.</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]-->Day 4- Re-read books for more involved student
input based upon current experiences. Elaborate on plans/wish for final
assessment activity. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]-->Day 5- Complete one-to-one association activity.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]-->Day 6- Read Halloween books. Go on a walk to
identify Halloween related terms at decorated houses. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">E</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]-->Day 7- Introduce pumpkin lifecycle cards. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]-->Day 8- Free play with all materials presented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extra materials like coloring sheets and
gourds are available for exploration. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]-->Day
9-10 Final assessment. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]-->Day
11- Verbal retelling of assessment events.</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-61479721598738279042013-10-03T12:01:00.000-07:002013-10-03T12:01:08.664-07:00Watch Them Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>This is my first update post that covers both of our kiddos. I'll morph this overtime, but for now, I'm just going to do a little write up about where the kids seem to be right now.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8DyqoOq3KzhEjBxsyv2hU-kSYlt_dHfYZj0Fvwfhhw-V7hhh4OHEVvK77DBJQ6v1mxvtJfx6zlxaeu0qRz7dpRxowNORHvO9yjzicp_W2-JGDVL0wtplM7dii1_tq816gzin4baUH__M/s1600/DSC02647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8DyqoOq3KzhEjBxsyv2hU-kSYlt_dHfYZj0Fvwfhhw-V7hhh4OHEVvK77DBJQ6v1mxvtJfx6zlxaeu0qRz7dpRxowNORHvO9yjzicp_W2-JGDVL0wtplM7dii1_tq816gzin4baUH__M/s320/DSC02647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q-ball reading to a napping T-Rex.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><em> </em>It goes without saying that bringing a new person into the house is quite a change for all involved, but, overall, we are adjusting. Bedtime and nighttime is the probably the most difficult time to juggle. Q-ball's bedtime routine can take up to 2 hours, and when she is actually falling asleep, she is rather adamant about having Mama with her. A hungry newborn, of course, does not understand this. During the night, Q-ball typically wakes up between 1-3 times at night and, again, demands that Mama help her go potty and go back to sleep. And, as a toddler, she does not understand why the new baby needs to eat at 3 am, and why Daddy has to put her back to sleep. So, we are working through these issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Q-ball has had a few meltdowns that are uncharacteristic for her. But, she seems to really love her new brother, and has never expressed anger towards him. She seems a little more comfortable now that she knows that she can still nurse after T-Rex. But, she is annoyed that we respond immediately to T-Rex's cries, but we encourage Q-ball to use words vs. tears and screams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Fortunately for us (and him!), T-Rex is a really easy going guy. He will happily lay alone under his mobile or next to the mirror for extended periods (about 10 minutes in baby time). And, as of this moment, he does seem to enjoy his sleep, but he is still trying to figure out how to fall asleep. And, we excitedly get lots of spontaneous smiles. We are working on elimination communication, and I'll have more specific updates on that later, but we now typically have at least one catch a day. Which, I consider a success given that we are only doing it part-time.</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-72357787811410557342013-09-26T12:12:00.000-07:002013-09-26T12:12:35.880-07:00Watch THEM Grow...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that nearly 2 and a half weeks have passed since T-Rex has joined the family! I thought I'd finally introduce him to the blogging world! Brother and sister are getting along well. Q-ball had a few normal adjustment issues, but is still clearly in awe of her little brother. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHF8zNUrHlppicMiTR9q5JCbUa3ajA5MyLza7Z_4R2FHywINbIBn8gzD-MNMcuhU27jaOGO-YgD1AH9ivxnDb9TLUFsh0r51l5ckc7GqzZZNUcdw-7YAa8XARjN4tpThZM5WKAEsJUwiH/s1600/DSC02631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHF8zNUrHlppicMiTR9q5JCbUa3ajA5MyLza7Z_4R2FHywINbIBn8gzD-MNMcuhU27jaOGO-YgD1AH9ivxnDb9TLUFsh0r51l5ckc7GqzZZNUcdw-7YAa8XARjN4tpThZM5WKAEsJUwiH/s1600/DSC02631.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-74476976215837540612013-09-06T11:39:00.001-07:002013-09-06T11:39:00.976-07:00A Mother's Role in Pretend Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>This is the first post of a mult-post Science Friday series that discusses research about toddler pretend play.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Throughout the past several months, Q-ball has been extremely active in pretend play. Given that New Baby should arrive any hour or day, she has especially been focused on diapering, wearing, and strollering all of her stuffed animals the past few weeks. I know that other toddlers begin this same fascination with pretend play at a similar time, so I wanted to look into the possible causes of and factors that contribute to pretend play. In this Science Friday post, I will look at<b> the mother's role in fostering pretend play.</b> But, first, a definition of pretend play. Most research in the topic follows the definition established by Catherine Garvey in her study of children's play, which is <b>"play in which actions, objects, persons, places, and other aspects of the here-and-now are transformed or treated non-literally."</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCA9UGkfw7umE2e2a9lLc8XYNXMI3lY86ZAC-V0bFw6_-jou_Gwri24p27w57MZpV_o9ePjzovCjTRnJkyN8ED03ox9PwELbIGOaj7bRrn_451801GBqzDUTWIj7ZewhfvunODZE3fUxuB/s1600/DSC02552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCA9UGkfw7umE2e2a9lLc8XYNXMI3lY86ZAC-V0bFw6_-jou_Gwri24p27w57MZpV_o9ePjzovCjTRnJkyN8ED03ox9PwELbIGOaj7bRrn_451801GBqzDUTWIj7ZewhfvunODZE3fUxuB/s1600/DSC02552.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pretending this is a real bear</span>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b>Child development psychologist Jean Piaget believed that pretend play
started spontaneously in each individual child, without any outside
influence. Given Piaget's profound influence on the subject of child
development, many followed his belief, and it was not until recently
that research has been done on the topic. In contrast to Piaget's view, a growing body of evidence is now examining how interpersonal relationships contribute to a toddler's pretend play, especially that of the caregiver. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i>The study I examined for this post followed nine middle-class, college-educated families, primarily focusing on the mother and toddler for seven visits from ages 12 months to 48 months. The results, then, are biased towards this demographic, but were very clear in their results for this group. This, also, is the demographic of which I am a part, so the study is relevant to me. Still, the researchers state these findings are consistent with other studies done on the topic. Here are some of the findings:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In all families, <b>the mother was the first to initiate pretend play</b> with her child at 12 months. In only half of the cases was the child able to reciprocate any pretend play. I thought this observation was especially fascinating as I would not have guessed that I had initiated pretend play with Q-ball as I strive to <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-benefits-of-following-your-childs.html">follow her lead</a>. However, upon further reflection, I realize that I often employ techniques found within <a href="http://www.playfulparenting.com/"><i>Playful Parenting</i></a> and other play-focused books to ease the stress of transitions and can imagine that I once had us crawl to naptime like cats or some similar activity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mothers were also found to prompt pretend play, primarily by asking their child open-ended questions about their pretending. (i.e.- What is your dog eating? Where is the train going? Why is the doll sad?)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>By 24 months, the toddler is just as likely to initiate pretend play</b> with the mother as he is with her. No matter who initiates play, both mother and toddler seem to be equally responsive the other when it comes to reciprocating play. In this study, <b>24 months is deemed the most pivotal role in mother-toddler pretend play.</b> This observation is a little sad for me, as I'm already past this milestone for my first child! And, she's still so young!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For a young toddler, <b>a mother's active role in pretend play lengthens the play and encourages more activity</b>. At the ages of 24 months and 36 months, the length of pretend play when the mother is involved is nearly twice as long as episodes of solo pretend play. Additionally, children were much more vocal when the mother was involved, in most cases parroting the mother's comments. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However, by 48 months, children tend to be involved in pretend play for twice as long when they play alone than when they play with their mother. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Between 36 and 48 months, children begin to seek out similarly aged playmates with which to pretend, leading to the decline in mother-toddler pretend play. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Does your toddler like pretend play? Do you find this findings to be true in your household? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Source:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Haight, W. and Miller, P.J. (1992). </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The development of everyday pretend play: A longitudinal study of mothers' participation. <cite>Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 38(3). </cite><span style="font-weight: normal;">331-349.</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-82230032116212328382013-08-26T11:53:00.002-07:002013-08-26T11:53:27.511-07:00A Prepared Environment in a Small Space <i>This is the second post I'm doing that focuses on establishing a Montessori environment in a small space. You can find the first post with ideas for how to store materials <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-store-toys-in-small-space.html">here</a>. </i><br />
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About nine months ago, we moved into an apartment that was about 30% smaller than our previous space. Q-ball's previous exploration space (You can find some older pictures <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/search/label/prepared%20environment">here</a>.) was quite large and included lots of floor space and lots of shelves, our current living arrangement just does not allow for this sort of space. However, we work hard to ensure that Q-ball still has lots of options for exploration. Here's what we've done.<br />
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<ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLtofsuGNMJsyuhgFon0iDECD_h1IOhV4x12Xf6x-b9SfgexwTNwqVs3YvWd2zVqw8vyA-65NaHQP6CHFeplLihcLR_TBRwkf_abGNrVhPstuiScU-5kwK8G36V44b6dS2D52aDeJu1Le/s1600/DSC02575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLtofsuGNMJsyuhgFon0iDECD_h1IOhV4x12Xf6x-b9SfgexwTNwqVs3YvWd2zVqw8vyA-65NaHQP6CHFeplLihcLR_TBRwkf_abGNrVhPstuiScU-5kwK8G36V44b6dS2D52aDeJu1Le/s1600/DSC02575.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></ol>
<b>1. Find unique spaces for small shelving units</b>. As the high temperatures here have been over 100 for the past few weeks, we really didn't see the need for a fireplace. So, Q-ball's primary prepared environment is a converted fireplace.<br />
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<b>2. Use nooks and crannies. </b>Q-ball's writing/art table is in a small corner near natural lighting and her reading/music shelf fits perfectly next to our family media shelf. <br />
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<b>3. Use Large Baskets. </b>Baskets are a key feature of any Montessori design. However, in our small space, I've found that larger baskets are critical as they can easily be placed on the floor for use and then shifted to another place depending on the activity and how many people are in the room at any given time. We have a basket for stuffed animals, blocks, balls, and a train set.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWpY7Z8Vmx9DpUL21FnFBpdbfzIGd0s15bjlXq_AOnrkgOPsre_uu9YADqqCDSfvb3z40AEr2lsjEk9gbOjQVKBg2i-gVUcS7adnZCg7wyxWO3Wc9iXt0WCX-BX2r0fD7T_wHQ_1OoEbQ/s1600/DSC02601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWpY7Z8Vmx9DpUL21FnFBpdbfzIGd0s15bjlXq_AOnrkgOPsre_uu9YADqqCDSfvb3z40AEr2lsjEk9gbOjQVKBg2i-gVUcS7adnZCg7wyxWO3Wc9iXt0WCX-BX2r0fD7T_wHQ_1OoEbQ/s1600/DSC02601.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<b>3. Squeeze items into their "true" location.</b> Q-ball's kitchen
materials (with the exception of her knife) are always assecible in the
bottom of our pantry, and Q-ball's set to bathe and care for her stuffed
animals along with her personal makeup bag are under the bathroom
sink.<br />
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<a href="http://livingmontessorinow.com/category/montessori-monday/" target="_blank"><img alt="Montessori Monday" src=" http://livingmontessorinow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/MondayButton150.jpg " /></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-npXNSdPkxv0tDiUXNc1zMlcHExvnV4XcDGo0xjME2HJJgjNh96u2VanIhGOx6siesoBiPdu29A3XzhRWzOLz-EEAAwppazBgvd6oOdqsP3eWkrrJT48kFjbLzq1Z1W6mb7JLrZxxq5yB/s1600/DSC02556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-npXNSdPkxv0tDiUXNc1zMlcHExvnV4XcDGo0xjME2HJJgjNh96u2VanIhGOx6siesoBiPdu29A3XzhRWzOLz-EEAAwppazBgvd6oOdqsP3eWkrrJT48kFjbLzq1Z1W6mb7JLrZxxq5yB/s1600/DSC02556.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Showing off her kefir mustache. She loves her kefir!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Given that we are just one or two weeks away from Baby, we have been getting out some items to prepare. Q-ball has loved placing her animals in the carseat, the co-sleeper, and the swing. She's also loved washing diapers and clothes for the new baby.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball is training for her first race! A 1/4 course for 0-5 year olds! She is very excited and often will just start running, clearly focusing on pumping her arms. She loves saying, "I'm going on a run like Daddy!" </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is really trying to reach out and play with other children her age (most times...) She typically likes to observe play for a long time before diving in. At church a few weeks ago, all of the children started to run in circles following the service. This was perhaps Q-ball's favorite activity to date, and since that week she has started running after church, working to try to get the attention of all of the other children. She'll often get one or two followers, but not all of the kiddos. <i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Critical Thinking</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball continues to be deep into her imagination exploration. As grandmas are on their way soon, it's important for them to stay on their toes to figure out if they are talking to the lifeguard, the engineer, the mailman, the gorilla, or Daddy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has really become a little comedian. Her current favorite jokes include: pulling out pajamas to wear during the day; telling me that she wants to go to the library, park, grocery store, etc. after we've just left or when she knows that we are going elsewhere; or, saying that she is ready to eat lunch and take a nap when she knows it's not time for these activities. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Practical Life</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have finally become more formal with Q-ball's clean-up routine. She has a "cleaning station" that she uses to spray and wipe up the counter after she eats a snack.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are linking up with <a href="http://vibrantwanderings.com/">Vibrant Wanderings</a>! Check out what the other kiddos are up to! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-48868940654798551582013-08-20T15:50:00.002-07:002013-08-20T15:50:36.232-07:00How to Store Toys in a Small Space<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I don't think I've ever been to a Montessori blog or site that shares posts about what is currently on the shelves in their home. Every month or so, there are tons of new, awesome materials for the child to explore. This certainly is one of the few things that causes the "keeping up with the Joneses" plague to strike me. I want to get everything I see! But, as I've started to collect materials, I've often wondered, <b>where are all of the items that are out of rotation?</b> With the neatness and organization stressed within Dr. Montessori's philosophy, I have to assume all of the materials are neatly tucked away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> But, I must confess, my out-of-rotation materials were a giant mess! </b>We live in a smallish apartment with extra storage, so I ended up throwing things here and there. In addition to looking terrible and taking up tons of space, it made material rotation time a huge headache. So, I decided to re-organize. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is what everything looked like when I pulled things out of the closets: AHHHH!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are the steps I took to clean up:<b> </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYTT5Vinrg_Lpl0q72G1uku5zgWrf5OHTCc_4NdFueRWRDfXhBuJQOY8VE2MlWNcaeBsOjw73suULieGAiPTbrWCDE43h-00PtYN-nnIvu1Ybaf9dEMQHV4UmJ8VToIyC5Wiqdbn4VVK9/s1600/DSC02567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYTT5Vinrg_Lpl0q72G1uku5zgWrf5OHTCc_4NdFueRWRDfXhBuJQOY8VE2MlWNcaeBsOjw73suULieGAiPTbrWCDE43h-00PtYN-nnIvu1Ybaf9dEMQHV4UmJ8VToIyC5Wiqdbn4VVK9/s1600/DSC02567.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Things were too out of hand to do a true "before" shot, but this is in the beginning stages.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Throw away "Happy Meal Toys."</b> True, we've only gotten one happy meal for Q-ball (who subsequently lost the accompanying toy about 1 hour later somewhere in the car...), but we've gathered tons of small favorite-toys from birthday grab bags to awesome finds at the park. I got rid of pretty much all of these toys as they really aren't in line with any of the goals for our shelves.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Group items by type.</b> My previous problem was when I was looking for a certain object, I didn't know where to start looking. I'd tried labeling boxes, but as I was consistently rotating materials, the labels didn't do much good. By grouping items by generic type (sensory, puzzles, blocks, music, bead activities, etc.), I can still label my boxes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Package items individually</b>, when possible. Here, I grouped blocks in paper bags and reused boxes. I have also seen people <b>use the plastic, zipper bags that come with new sheet sets and mattress pads</b> for this task- that way you can see inside!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Label boxes. </b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Find a place to stash. </b>This step has been the toughest for me given our current storage limitations. For larger items, I used large storage tubs. For smaller items, I used a hanging shoe organizer and a larger hanging closet organizer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MBTdHoKM4cqddK9XqSDXAXZVmevU7xyMyVGm-ihceOc6t6ewmcWuyKKpEyU-HctnNOhlDjEir1ri-lENNp8H9Gi1hHmSFXyjEYC7VaeNmkd4GcVLrklxf_2iCQR93BGNfuPFNdEzGKVi/s1600/DSC02568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MBTdHoKM4cqddK9XqSDXAXZVmevU7xyMyVGm-ihceOc6t6ewmcWuyKKpEyU-HctnNOhlDjEir1ri-lENNp8H9Gi1hHmSFXyjEYC7VaeNmkd4GcVLrklxf_2iCQR93BGNfuPFNdEzGKVi/s1600/DSC02568.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCHXlsWzXjWcP_4nZ0cyuzW-nuVAn_0sfCRqyGkqQZa3fTYKXibaJd8bFXEbtMGT0DqxQJjrtlgbqIyKn95tWCjfqqbNnVzNOAIGcv2Wu_f1YBkOZZWVVVGiM8hexW8Rhqm0doz31rgaX/s1600/DSC02572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCHXlsWzXjWcP_4nZ0cyuzW-nuVAn_0sfCRqyGkqQZa3fTYKXibaJd8bFXEbtMGT0DqxQJjrtlgbqIyKn95tWCjfqqbNnVzNOAIGcv2Wu_f1YBkOZZWVVVGiM8hexW8Rhqm0doz31rgaX/s1600/DSC02572.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://livingmontessorinow.com/category/montessori-monday/" target="_blank"><img alt="Montessori Monday" src=" http://livingmontessorinow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/MondayButton150.jpg " /></a>
</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-82966627528864462182013-08-19T12:15:00.001-07:002013-08-19T12:17:08.061-07:00Now on Bloglovin'<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5858949/?claim=5rezn868auu%22%3E">Follow my blog with Bloglovin!</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-72665574689503075522013-08-08T12:32:00.005-07:002013-08-08T12:32:47.100-07:00Watch Her Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This Week's Focus: Practical Life </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmfA5835nTUX-B2NwMrDx0WOIlbBJrrL21RVQ97zSeZTApXZBdL4cL9yeSKwxGtGg9Yhuk3i0ydFKUCjg2JMg1TW60L1ykzpcY5s5fsseaBci7R0nSow-LbArRTMyRToxXrOETk8GZ1U8/s1600/DSC02550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmfA5835nTUX-B2NwMrDx0WOIlbBJrrL21RVQ97zSeZTApXZBdL4cL9yeSKwxGtGg9Yhuk3i0ydFKUCjg2JMg1TW60L1ykzpcY5s5fsseaBci7R0nSow-LbArRTMyRToxXrOETk8GZ1U8/s1600/DSC02550.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sporting her new sunglasses</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1PtrTsTuCRqfUWlHO4yWHfZVFc-VDHxi_1TlDXME1jO8jimi4ZAZ9OS_REprXjwSie7m_xuwl4fZi9HiKVEoccrV4rj6racu_bgwUZA2TD8gwZuLQQrbfV2bhvuq7yJlF6YcTA86S6sm/s1600/DSC02558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1PtrTsTuCRqfUWlHO4yWHfZVFc-VDHxi_1TlDXME1jO8jimi4ZAZ9OS_REprXjwSie7m_xuwl4fZi9HiKVEoccrV4rj6racu_bgwUZA2TD8gwZuLQQrbfV2bhvuq7yJlF6YcTA86S6sm/s1600/DSC02558.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She loves the bars and rings the most!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are still spending lots of time outside, despite highs that are over 100. At parks, Q-ball can spend nearly an hour swinging. She likes to switch swings every few minutes, and desperately wishes that another child will come swing with her. But, she has also enjoyed hanging and climbing, practicing her new moves from tumble class.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has also returned to her old love of reading, while we'd certainly never abandoned reading, we had very few days where we were sit and read for 20-40 minutes. Now, she's loving doing this again. Maybe it's the heat!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is typically excited to meet new people nowadays. She even shared a huge hug with another girl in her tumble class, leaving them both on the floor.<i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Critical Thinking</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's amazing to me what Q-ball notices and remembers. When we are driving, she'll tell me which direction to go, and she'll tell me where I could turn if I want to go to the library or the grocery. <i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Practical Life</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After much work, she has become quite proficient at putting on her shoes. It's also helped that we did buy the next size shoes, but these are still a bit too big and fall off at times. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-67635680136556582362013-08-02T11:47:00.002-07:002013-08-02T11:48:00.512-07:00Placenta Encapsulation III: Breastfeeding Help<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>This is the third post of this
Science Friday series which explores placentophagia- the act of eating
the placenta after birth. While this can take several forms for humans,
one of the most common is through placenta encapsulation. This post
analyzes several theories that have been proposed as the cause of
placentophagia. Check out the other posts <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/search/label/placenta%20encapsulation">here</a>.</i></span><br />
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The placenta plays an invaluable role in breastfeeding.
Indeed, in all cases of lactation, whether placentophagia is involved or not,
it is the birth of the placenta that initiates the body’s production of
milk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This afterbirth triggers the
productions of hormones that start the production of breast milk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Lieberman, 2011) In Traditional Chinese
Medicine, placentophagia is used to foster the mother and baby’s breastfeeding
relationship by increasing the mother’s milk supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recent studies have sustained this belief by
demonstrating the placenta’s power in increasing milk supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Using
mothers with whom doctors anticipated breastfeeding difficulties, researchers
at Charles University in Prague, demonstrated that consuming the placenta
increased milk production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this
study, 210 mothers who had recently given birth consumed dried placenta within
a period of two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some mothers
completed treatment immediately following delivery, while one mother waited two
months to start treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No mother
experienced any negative symptoms, to include stomach pains or nausea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, some mothers enjoyed the taste!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 30% of mothers saw an increase of one
ounce of milk in one feeding, and nearly 56% saw an increase of at least .7
ounces in one feeding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finding
indicate that these early successes in breastfeeding continued, and many of the
women in the study breastfed for many months.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While
these results are clearly a boon for mothers who want to breastfeed, the
researchers findings do not immediately demonstrate what about placenta causes
an increase in milk production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing
that placenta is a high source of quality protein, the researchers gave another
group of woman beef in a form identical to that of the placenta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, only one-third of these women
experienced an increase in milk production, far less than the group that
consumed placenta, leading the researchers to agree that the protein is not the
source of the milk increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using urine
tests that measure progesterone and other hormones in postpartum women, the
researchers currently believe that the hormones in placenta are the primary
cause of increases in milk supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<i>
</i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-38594508024906945252013-07-25T11:39:00.002-07:002013-07-25T11:39:35.147-07:00Watch Her Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This Week's Focus: Practical Life </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFe2YLMjT_eK_VWE5Pl0d3G5Eh7sen4i_hy8xO3x3H0tTy-MO2cCqFQ0V8dWepJkbSjYa1tN9eCuhy2TLTMmGCdPnBtKaCaZjpxIBGBPNHhX75ZJ2xJZzvSBwXDn6gMiiCV87Uh-lyt2D/s1600/DSC02491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFe2YLMjT_eK_VWE5Pl0d3G5Eh7sen4i_hy8xO3x3H0tTy-MO2cCqFQ0V8dWepJkbSjYa1tN9eCuhy2TLTMmGCdPnBtKaCaZjpxIBGBPNHhX75ZJ2xJZzvSBwXDn6gMiiCV87Uh-lyt2D/s1600/DSC02491.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball helping with laundry. She decided to also hang up the shirt she had been wearing.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It seems like we didn't work with too many materials this week, somehow. I think we spent lots of time outdoors and doing other out-of-the-house activities. But, Q-ball's pretend play has expanded so that she now likes to take the roll of positions that she's read about or seen. Typically, she plays a (train) engineer, but after a trip to the pool yesterday, she's been a lifeguard. She walks around the house saying, "this engineer, this engineer, no, no, this engineer....." Over and over. But, I we certainly know not to ask Q-ball to sit down to dinner.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While it takes her a bit of time to warm up, Q-ball likes playing with similar aged kids at the park. She'll laugh with them and frequently come and tell me that they are playing together. We clearly still need to work on how to talk to others to encourage them to want as, "Hey! Hey! Climb up here!" might not be overly welcoming.<i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <i>Practical Life</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have really been working on dressing ourselves this past week, and she's pretty much got it now. It does take a bit of time, but she's typically happy to do it. She talks through the steps as she dresses herself. "Find the tag....put foot in hole...push through..." She's also successfully put her sandals on now, but this is certainly not her favorite task, and she normally yells for me to do it for her. <i> </i> </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-9167853563069787462013-07-18T11:57:00.001-07:002013-07-18T11:57:34.358-07:00Watch Her Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This Week's Focus: Practical Life and Language</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFmbneW-WuI9r5syuB6x1_I7xgFOutSK47g1w-lew8wtGKftryrMyVLn9e75J67aJ2XROnT1-DOsgV4hFh_SsAjrflM_I8VXccZEavWIAfrz0EJjZ7YcLUmCgEgewIPZWtWqNOUcVX1iD/s1600/DSC02495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFmbneW-WuI9r5syuB6x1_I7xgFOutSK47g1w-lew8wtGKftryrMyVLn9e75J67aJ2XROnT1-DOsgV4hFh_SsAjrflM_I8VXccZEavWIAfrz0EJjZ7YcLUmCgEgewIPZWtWqNOUcVX1iD/s1600/DSC02495.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making cookies (if you consider food that's sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free a cookie)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week we invested in some more Legos. They were a very big hit. She loves building tall towers. The set also includes some construction vehicles, and she loves driving them around the house.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She continues to pretend that items around the house are her dog, Roxy. Typically reusable bags or slightly deflated balloons.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She continues to improve in her skills with playing with others. She willingly allows older children to help her at the park if she has climbed up too high. And, she actually loves taking turns on equipment at the park- she considers this "playing together." She gets really excited if another child comes to join her on a slide as she'll get to "wait on line."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We recently changed churches, and she is doing pretty well staying in the nursery for 30-45 minutes. Mainly because they have lots and lots of Goldfish.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Critical Thinking</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is developing initial concepts of time and future events. When we have to leave a park or a store, she often wants us to assure her that we'll be able to visit "another time" or "next time." She'll even come up with ideas (like riding a choo-choo train) and ask to do it on "Friday" or "Saturday."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball is a big talker. People are always shocked by how much she can say. During some car rides, she'll talk for up to 20 minutes at a time, and she often dominates dinner conversations. She's been using full, complex sentences for some time. But, I still love to hear the phrases that she uses, although this week's "nope" is not my favorite.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-15507788090076469802013-07-15T11:52:00.001-07:002013-07-15T11:52:52.155-07:00Practical Life at 27 Months<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can't believe how quickly Q-ball is growing and how much she is now capable of doing on her own! Although, it can still take a bit of patience on my part to give her the chances to do them as it much faster when I do things. And, it can take a bit of patience on her part as it's certainly easier for her if I do things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Dressing</i></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImvWH5xqBthXlYoIz2AzEdrniCd3KQuEQdle7dwwboFKbBr12NPOEdsnmSgjWRRsnu2QWLfE_keQbywgpynYqzZIOV7f4ReyvhmX840PJHqKXU2qlZyLC6pxu3Zesh5G-K_ntKKi80gaD/s1600/DSC02543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImvWH5xqBthXlYoIz2AzEdrniCd3KQuEQdle7dwwboFKbBr12NPOEdsnmSgjWRRsnu2QWLfE_keQbywgpynYqzZIOV7f4ReyvhmX840PJHqKXU2qlZyLC6pxu3Zesh5G-K_ntKKi80gaD/s1600/DSC02543.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball picks out all of her clothes when directed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball can easily take off her sandals and put them away in the closet. We are working on learning to put them on. We can do it on occasion, but need some more practice.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She can put on and take off underwear and pants on her own, although Mama might need to straighten them at times. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She needs a little help with shirts- she's typically able to remove shirts on her own, but needs a little help getting them on.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Hygiene</i> </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If we prepare her toothbrush, Q-ball can brush her teeth by herself, but Mama or Daddy helps at least once a day to make sure all bases are covered.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is working on washing her hands on her own, but we need to get a better step stool- right now she can't completely reach the facets, which is a bit of a setback.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After over a year of struggles and tears, she has learned to tip her head back when we are rinsing shampoo out of her hair. This is a relief!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Cleaning </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball will occasionally clean-up materials on her own, but typically needs one or two reminders. Some days, of course, we need lots of reminders and help, but by and large, things are returned to their shelves. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball helps me load and unload the washing machine and dryer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She places dirty clothes and dirty towels in the correct baskets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She cleans up her spills with available towels.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She can carry her own plate, cup, and utensils to the table. But, this is a something that has been really difficult for Mama to get into our routine- not because I don't trust her, but because we are juggling Daddy playtime, cleaning up materials, and hand-washing before dinner. I just need to do a better job of working it into the schedule.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Eating/Food Prep</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball lost interest in using her fork and spoon for awhile, but in about the past two weeks has taken to using her fork again- typically with little issue.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She can cut veggies (carrots, celery, and a few others) on her own using a special knife. <i> </i></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We just tried pouring water for the first time in a long while. Overall it went well, but after a few minutes of practice and some excitement about the event, we did need to use a bath towel instead of a dish towel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_8KJxhUNO0Mvn30JdSWL5Iv_qUkx1kPIEp61Dj_40huKKrmLXUnwOU2GmIB7TgFDCnpl7XXs4i-therMuLFSFAVMqs_PsWX0V1rSnvG6wRadTGHOFhTgSACEgbRJ3gEOv88qeP00GbqV/s1600/DSC02544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_8KJxhUNO0Mvn30JdSWL5Iv_qUkx1kPIEp61Dj_40huKKrmLXUnwOU2GmIB7TgFDCnpl7XXs4i-therMuLFSFAVMqs_PsWX0V1rSnvG6wRadTGHOFhTgSACEgbRJ3gEOv88qeP00GbqV/s1600/DSC02544.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-10039757424252122322013-07-12T12:40:00.001-07:002013-07-12T12:40:37.194-07:00Placenta Encapsulation II: Why Would I Do That?<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>This is the second post of this
Science Friday series which explores placentophagia- the act of eating
the placenta after birth. While this can take several forms for humans,
one of the most common is through placenta encapsulation. This post
analyzes several theories that have been proposed as the cause of
placentophagia. Check out the first post <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2013/06/placenta-encapsulation-i-why-would-i-do.html">here</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i>The previous post discussed some of the theories that are used to explain placentophagia. I am not very convinced by any of those theories. However, I find the evolutionary and physiological reasons very impressive, and they actually convinced me to have placenta encapsulation done following labor and delivery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The evolutionary and physiological reasons for placentophagia are primarily
observed through maternal behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
observations, while relatively weak, indicate an increased attachment behavior
between mother and infant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much stronger
evidence supports the positive effects that placentophagia has on lactation,
presumably because the placenta’s high estrogen and lactogen content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an avid proponent of breastfeeding, I find
this finding one of the most compelling arguments for placentophagia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mothers currently face countless obstacles to
breastfeeding; consequently, I find any method of easing a new mom’s
breastfeeding journey is immeasurably important!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
evolutionary effect, although one that may not yet be possible in humans, is
the placenta’s impact on the maternal immune system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the fetus and fetal placenta contain
aspects of both the mother and the father, a mother’s immune system could
reject some antigens found in the fetus’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In humans, this is observed when an Rh
negative mother is carrying an Rh positive fetus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During her first pregnancy, she creates
antibodies to fight this seemingly invading species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These antibodies could potentially harm
future Rh positive fetuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans
receive can receive a Rhogam shot to counteract this reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other mammals, however, placentophagia may
serve to block the creation of the antibodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this way, nature has provided a way to ensure the survival of mama
and babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As someone who requires a
Rhogam shot (I just had my third a few days ago!) and who hates shots, I’m hoping
for more research on this topic for human use!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source:<br />Kristal, M.B. (1980). Placentophagia: A biobehavioral enigma. <i>Neuroscience and Biohehavioral Reviews, (4)</i>141-150.</span></span></span> </span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-42038725492250797692013-07-01T13:05:00.000-07:002013-07-01T13:05:34.181-07:00Road Trip Activities for a Media-Free Toddler We recently returned from a road trip during which we logged over 1400 miles in the car. We worked to spend as little time in the car as possible, but the first and last days of the trip required about 5-6 hours in the car (much of this was through some very, very boring country- no buildings, no trees, few hills...blah). This can be tough for anyone, but especially for a toddler. I searched online for ideas to entertain my toddler during the trip, but many of them involved watching DVDs or playing with other computerized games. We are a media-free family, so I knew that I would need to be a little more creative with my activities. <br />
While Q-ball was obviously ready to get out of the car when the time came and did, of course, experience some boredom and frustration, my husband and I were incredibly impressed with the patience she showed and with her ability to largely entertain herself. Here are the activities that were most successful: <i>As always, I'm a little blog, so I'm not getting any sort of compensation for the links below!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ7BjXfLgZGyPE611fDMtygnbXFKA5XtmtPjZ0LqoKyRaCH47_j6mSXh7TSJm_HAyh4IKyYciX8HvZVdKQuPE_qey9ARGmeUrTeo0bPxAEYbj_82LTs5JkurHC6l6ZiQN8Mt2pduSDXqY/s1600/DSC02391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ7BjXfLgZGyPE611fDMtygnbXFKA5XtmtPjZ0LqoKyRaCH47_j6mSXh7TSJm_HAyh4IKyYciX8HvZVdKQuPE_qey9ARGmeUrTeo0bPxAEYbj_82LTs5JkurHC6l6ZiQN8Mt2pduSDXqY/s1600/DSC02391.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwRGmISvc7h4HP5onJluZaa-WshqKaC75cCLGVHVNIeE-sJFVJQ4TrIDOQxzFMekBO-cjJ_vUYZPCCzAuPhgbIYyh7M3cwh-oi7nBheAMvUhy400tc_G8oOQQvxhyxscx6GDapPGavUGX/s1600/DSC02401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwRGmISvc7h4HP5onJluZaa-WshqKaC75cCLGVHVNIeE-sJFVJQ4TrIDOQxzFMekBO-cjJ_vUYZPCCzAuPhgbIYyh7M3cwh-oi7nBheAMvUhy400tc_G8oOQQvxhyxscx6GDapPGavUGX/s1600/DSC02401.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ol>
<li><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Kids-Snack-Play-Travel/dp/B000KJBFC8/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1372708080&sr=1-1&keywords=car+tray">Car Tray</a>. </b>This item was necessary for all others to be successful! We introduced it to Q-ball a few hours into the trip, and she wanted to use it pretty much the entire time after that!<b> </b></li>
<li><b>Books, books, books</b>. Before the trip, I spent a substantial amount of time exploring our public library's catalog for books that related to our trip. I ended up with over 20 books! I looked for books that included lots of pictures of the areas and specific sites we were visiting as well as descriptions of activities that we were doing. Of course, not all the books were successful (mainly the ones with a bit too much of an academic focus), but these were Q-ball's favorite: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0375867643">Fred and Ted's Road Trip</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maisy-Goes-Camping-First-Experience/dp/0763643688/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372707680&sr=1-1&keywords=maisy+goes+camping">Maisy Goes Camping</a>.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Chubbies-Assorted-Styles-Colors/dp/B005IAPZJI">Toy Cars.</a> </b>Q-ball played with these more than any other item! She parked them, drove them, lined them up. They never bored her! </li>
<li><a href="http://www.shop.montessoriprintshop.com/I-Spy-Pages-PSF-21.htm?categoryId=-1">I Spy. </a>I'd never played with game with Q-ball before, but she enjoyed using these print-outs from the Montessori Print Shop. (They are free!) While she wasn't able to identify object by shape or color, she liked picking out the objects by name or, at times, by subject (something to eat, an animal, etc.)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.shop.montessoriprintshop.com/Animals-and-Silhouette-Cards-PSF-18.htm">Animal Matching Cards.</a> This is another resource from the Montessori Print Shop. I hadn't introduced this activity to her previously, but she enjoyed naming all of the animals and matching them to their "shadow." We certainly weren't able to achieve any sort of Montessori neatness in our matching piles, but we got the big idea!</li>
</ol>
Other tips from our travel (most are obvious, but just to confirm!)<br />
<ul>
<li>Schedule naps for car rides when possible. Q-ball hated the carseat for about the first 9 months of her life, and our road trip when she was 4-months was much prolonged as we had to stop every 15 minutes or so at times to calm her screams, but I'm happy to report, she is now a relatively happy car napper! (Although she does still like for Mama to sing her to sleep...)</li>
<li>Have snacks and water on hand.</li>
<li>Make lots of times for active play when you are not in the car. We used hotel swimming pools at the end of the trips and ran around some green spaces before getting in the car. When possible, take lunch breaks at parks or restaurants with playplaces. (Q-ball had her first Happy Meal on this trip- we very, very rarely do fast food, but she loved being about to run around the playplace for an hour!)</li>
<li>Include lots of cuddles when you are not in the car! According to Dr. Laura in <a href="http://www.ahaparenting.com/peaceful-parent-happy-kids">Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids,</a> although you may feel very close to your toddler when you are all stuck in a car together, a car ride can be a separation for a child. Your child needs you to make up all of this time apart with extra attention later!</li>
<li>Introduce toys steadily throughout the trip. I waited to introduce some activities until we were two weeks into our trip, so we'd have something novel on the way home. </li>
</ul>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-56345346036030969782013-06-28T12:20:00.000-07:002013-07-12T12:40:46.680-07:00Placenta Encapsulation I: Why Would I Do That?<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I haven't shared much on these pages, but I have been completing a wide-range of research for my upcoming labor and delivery. I thought I would use this space to share some of the research I've completed. This is the first post of our next Science Friday series which explores placentophagia- the act of eating the placenta after birth. While this can take several forms for humans, one of the most common is through placenta encapsulation. This post analyzes several theories that have been proposed as the cause of placentophagia.</i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq4LtMX3mVWyM3SsnhWS7aaTjM9DMWznwCYKEmbcJhB-nFwsCpAq0xKWtZPBuSKpE0rbsyduoMdruA9hCQIUuLZlD3DmcBIEPnVXmkeFY7jdMXVDTtQlUO88QQpSkUCySobjigvd78eBS/s1280/placenta-pills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFq4LtMX3mVWyM3SsnhWS7aaTjM9DMWznwCYKEmbcJhB-nFwsCpAq0xKWtZPBuSKpE0rbsyduoMdruA9hCQIUuLZlD3DmcBIEPnVXmkeFY7jdMXVDTtQlUO88QQpSkUCySobjigvd78eBS/s1280/placenta-pills.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: thefeministbreeder.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> While nearly every mammal consumes its placenta after giving
birth (a notable exception being marsupials who instead reabsorb the placenta,
but do consume birth fluids), research has yet to conclusively find one
overarching reason for placentophagia in mammals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, four theories are used to explain
this seemingly innate mammalian behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first is that during birth, the mother, normally an herbivore,
suddenly becomes carnivorous, only craving meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As someone who has previously given birth and
has been a vegetarian for the past 12 years, I personally found this theory
unlikely as I had no desire to eat meat following the birth of my first child, even
when hospital’s dining facility continually ignored my vegetarian requests and
primarily served me meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the
rodents in studies that investigate this hypothesis, I still refused the meat!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A second theory is that the
mother simply craves food after following birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While any mother can attest to the fact that
birth is certainly a physical feat that requires recovery, placentophagia has
been observed in mammals that continue to eat throughout labor and delivery
who, presumably, would not have an increase in hunger following the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The third theory again focuses on hunger, but
this theory looks at a specific hunger for the placenta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research on this theory has been inconclusive
as mammals that have not yet given birth will consume another animal’s
placenta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
final and perhaps most popular theory is that placentophagia is simply a way
for mammals to maintain a clean nest in order to prevent the attraction of
predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this theory is
straight-forward, it does ignore several refuting factors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, as previously stated, nearly every
mammal consumes its placenta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means
that even the mightiest of predators, which are in little need to detract other
mammals, takes the time to eat their placentas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Secondly, animals who do not maintain a constant nesting site remain at
the site of the birth to consume the placenta, actually putting themselves in
greater risk of predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A final
challenge to the nest theory, and the one I found most convincing, is the fact
the placenta is not the only bodily expulsion during labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood and other amniotic fluids would also
completely saturate the area, clearly leaving evidence of a nest, despite the
removal of the placenta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Each of these theories clearly has it's skeptics- check out next week's post to learn more evolutionary (and, in my mind, convincing) rationales!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source:<br />Kristal, M.B. (1980). Placentophagia: A biobehavioral enigma. <i>Neuroscience and Biohehavioral Reviews, (4)</i>141-150.</span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i></i></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-70815651159598933072013-06-27T12:18:00.001-07:002013-06-27T12:18:56.890-07:00Watch Her Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This Week's Focus: Practical Life</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Holy Cow! I can't believe it's been so long since I've done one of these posts- it's funny how a two-week vacation can spread when you include preparations and a recovery period!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have spoken about Q-ball's desire for pretend play previously, but it has really blossomed. Frankly, she rarely gets involved in other play at home. She uses a reusable shopping bag to be a dog on a lease who often travels with us. She uses her favorite walking wagon to go grocery shopping. She cooks for Mama and Daddy. Following our vacation, she would pretend to go to hotels to eat breakfast (waffles!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her current shelf rotation includes her train set, and she has enjoyed pushing it around the room with a Superman figure serving as the engineer. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She really has started to seek out others for play. The other day we were enjoying a meal at a causal and empty cafe. There was one other family with a 2-year-old who was playing under the table. Q-ball was so excited to play with him, she finally pushed her food away and asked to go join him. They play closely and rather cooperatively for quite awhile! (Although her later description of the play was that he was "pushing" and "hitting" her.)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Life </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball has really gotten involved in personal life tasks. After losing interest in dressing herself, she has again taken the riegns (with a little prodding from Mama.) Yesterday, she dragged our dirty towel basket to the washing machine and filled the washing machine, so she could help Mama with laundry. She's also taken out the drying rack and moved clothes from her closet to the rack to again help with laundry.<i> </i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are linking up with <a href="http://www.vibrantwanderings.com/">Vibrant Wanderings</a>! Check out what other kiddos are up to this week! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-14713849306650360372013-06-03T12:37:00.000-07:002013-06-03T12:37:18.281-07:00Shapes: Our Three Part Montessori Lesson<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>This is our second three-part lesson. To read about our first, check out this<a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-three-period-montessori-christmas.html"> post</a>. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Currently, Q-ball's shelves are stocked with a variety of materials the emphasis shapes. She had started to show an initial interest in different shapes, so I wanted to give her a chance to explore the topic a bit further. In addition, to clearing digging our any materials that fostered shape exploration, I picked up books from the library that also focused on the topic. I had never planned to do a formal lesson (she is 26 months old, after all, and I try to avoid too much formality). However, last week, Q-ball suddenly seemed extremely engaged in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Museum-Shapes-NY-Metropolitan-Art/dp/0316056987">Museum Shapes</a>, so I decided to work in a quick lesson on shapes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Supplies:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pictures of shapes. We used the books <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Museum-Shapes-NY-Metropolitan-Art/dp/0316056987">Museum Shapes</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shape-Capers-Cathryn-Falwell/dp/B005Q5ZEX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369854417&sr=1-1&keywords=shape+capers">Shape Capers</a>. We both much prefer the former.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sensory that include lots of different shapes- blocks, sorting toys, puzzles, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Px56VxVAaTvXUiH_0WkXWfWAir-aJZoVqsPk9jxfusHH7ghlLUgSCKUzKS1hrCH-Heffx0GElxSuVxXSvotjGqwAEh3tgz1oSJABSwe_Kl_X5ZK6letpPDjRBRa2-FfLqC36lMywbOg8/s1600/DSC02286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Px56VxVAaTvXUiH_0WkXWfWAir-aJZoVqsPk9jxfusHH7ghlLUgSCKUzKS1hrCH-Heffx0GElxSuVxXSvotjGqwAEh3tgz1oSJABSwe_Kl_X5ZK6letpPDjRBRa2-FfLqC36lMywbOg8/s1600/DSC02286.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Blocks, Stacking and sorting materials, and egg shakers for the "oval" (turns out Q-ball really likes ovals!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Lesson:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Step 1: I simply read the books to Q-ball, repeating the name of the shape several times as I pointed to different examples throughout the book.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Step 2: After reading each book once, I read it again, and asked Q-ball to say the name of the shapes. She was able to do this with the vast majority of shapes (arch and semi-circle were a little out of reach, but I presented seven shapes, focusing on the five most basic. Most sources recommend presenting 3-5 objects in a 3 part lesson.)<i> If you child is not able to do this
with 100% accuracy, go back to step 1. The goal is for your child to
succeed, so you do not want to move forward until you have 100% success.
Doing this over several days is more than acceptable!</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Step 3: Then, I asked Q-ball if she wanted to find shapes in her toys. She quickly jumped off of the couch with her book to find the matches. Without much guidance from me, she was able to search her shelves and find "circle like my circle" when I opened the book to the circle page.</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-Bv_7GGPKJHc0ZuTJPMmgc6Wth3p6mOmAmhixw4QgjdJye2ZJ9IhVaOeRyN2UtSsEaKSoFuvy1BsLbOPnhHV3qhrTpgOyO1BurkVYp3FwskDT6OFxUoA2EsaPI2jAs3BctrFfBUuy7mD/s1600/DSC02288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-Bv_7GGPKJHc0ZuTJPMmgc6Wth3p6mOmAmhixw4QgjdJye2ZJ9IhVaOeRyN2UtSsEaKSoFuvy1BsLbOPnhHV3qhrTpgOyO1BurkVYp3FwskDT6OFxUoA2EsaPI2jAs3BctrFfBUuy7mD/s1600/DSC02288.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Extension Activities: <i>Q-ball came up with these extension games on her own!</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Group sensory materials by type. (All circles in this corner; all squares in this corner.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cut and glue. Q-ball named the shape she wanted, and I cut it out. Using glue stick, Q-ball glued it to paper. (If your child has been introduced to scissors, you can, of course, switch roles.) </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sources:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Montessori Mom. (2009). <i>The three period lesson. </i>Retrieved from http://www.montessorimom.com/three-period-lesson/ </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Montessori Print Shop Blog. (2012). <i>How to give a Montessori 3 period lesson. </i>Retrieved from http://www.montessoriprintshop.com/Give_a_3_Period_Lesson.html </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-19329104667563034282013-05-30T12:16:00.001-07:002013-05-30T12:16:56.504-07:00Watch Her Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This Week's Focus: Emotional Regulation and Independence</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WwAtjXhoSa6inDz7PvE49-vorhL4pZ97Vdwnhx5YBU3lcWRlTx_E5QOj2FNngoimTA9Ai6x9BVEBQdOHmZ_nVsESEziBTbTSsD6eVrJWqEDFMSZJ7ZCmcJAvWGVQExL3bYnRSrJCqIPK/s1600/DSC02296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WwAtjXhoSa6inDz7PvE49-vorhL4pZ97Vdwnhx5YBU3lcWRlTx_E5QOj2FNngoimTA9Ai6x9BVEBQdOHmZ_nVsESEziBTbTSsD6eVrJWqEDFMSZJ7ZCmcJAvWGVQExL3bYnRSrJCqIPK/s1600/DSC02296.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHj12W42dWxnYA5DAm4C9UqqIdCOC9oSgdeoZSwavvngh4XRzA558OzjL1E0RzjIvLm7t7sXsb7rlk09V7yWwyltG72tmysYTty6qJPuWI-fI9infF5RpUNyOSDWeihVZE6hT0qHfvY5q/s1600/DSC02303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHj12W42dWxnYA5DAm4C9UqqIdCOC9oSgdeoZSwavvngh4XRzA558OzjL1E0RzjIvLm7t7sXsb7rlk09V7yWwyltG72tmysYTty6qJPuWI-fI9infF5RpUNyOSDWeihVZE6hT0qHfvY5q/s1600/DSC02303.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Classic American photos- With Ronald McDonald's (messy weather has sent us to "inside parks") and hot dogs with a baseball game.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball has started working with her puzzles again. I love that she is able to maintain or re-start interest in an object, even after mastering it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I mentioned last week, she starting exploring shapes. This has continued as she has gravitated towards her sorting and stacking toys.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is also loving playing with blocks. She's working on creating tunnels and train stations for her cars and trains. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like most kids her age, Q-ball is clearly very concerned about other children (or cats) touching her things. When she sees another child approaching (or just standing on the other side of the room), she immediately turns to me and tells me that she is "scared that boy will touch my toys/books/rock/etc.) However, she does clearly understand and accept the idea of taking turns. In fact, she seems genuinely excited that she gets to "wait in line" for the slide or other park item.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She still enjoys her personal time. The only way I could get her to agree to go to our park day this week was to explain that she did not have to play with the other children. In a very pro-social fashion, she chanted, "me do not have to play with other kids" for the majority of our time at the park.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also had our first tea party for her bears. She used the wooden cookies, doughnuts, and plates that Grandma and Grandpa gave her for Christmas. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Life </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball has started a "screaming" phase. I think this is the second time it's happened. I don't exactly remember the first one lasting all that long, which is a little uplifting. High pitch noises while driving, during dinner, and while grocery shopping are not very life-giving. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mama and Daddy often do our exercises (body weight strength training, stretching, yoga, etc.) at home in the morning, and Q-ball loves joining in. She especially likes doing push-ups and is now very taken with jumping jacks as she observed the homeschool PE group doing them at the park this week. And, she loves to randomly do yoga moves throughout the day.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are linking up with <a href="http://www.vibrantwanderings.com/">Vibrant Wanderings</a>! Check out what other kiddos are up to this week! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-15081398287774433532013-05-23T11:52:00.001-07:002013-05-23T11:52:43.563-07:00Watch Her Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This Week's Focus: Emotional Regulation and Independence</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still not able to upload pictures..if there is anyone about there more tech savvy than me, let me know if you can think of anything!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i>Q-ball's primary source of independent play continues to be pretend play that involves her stuffed animals. This morning she spent most of her time in pushing them in "strollers" (a high chair, laundry basket, and step stool). She still loves to have them participate in all aspects of life- potty, sleep, dressing, eating, car riding, reading and playing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We planted a small container garden a few months ago, and she now enjoys going to water her daises. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q-ball has continued to open up to others. She is especially excited about play dates with two close friends. She talks about her play afterwards for days. Yesterday she was especially excited to explore a "jungle" with the other kiddos. As for kids that are less recognizable to her, she still gets excited and talks about the opprotunity to "play with mine friends," but as soon as these children approach her, she typically instantly shows her fear through crying, screaming, or just freezing in place.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Critical Thinking</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week, we focused on learning shapes. Q-ball very interested and quickly caught on to all of the shape words. (Description of this 3-part lesson to come!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Like all toddlers, she's very interested in finding and establishing her own order. One way she is doing this is through matching like items around the house. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Life </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She has reached the stage where she can't seem to make up her mind. She say, "I want Mama to do it!" Only to immediately realize that she doesn't want Mama to have anything to do with anything. Fortunately, this hasn't lead to too much emotional trauma for the family, but I can certainly see the potential.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She is getting quite good at expressing her emotions. She'll tell me if something makes her sad. Sometimes she'll even emphasize the point by telling me "I have tears." She leads a pretty tough life!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are linking up with <a href="http://www.vibrantwanderings.com/">Vibrant Wanderings</a>! Check out what other kiddos are up to this week! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-9333792248747192722013-05-09T12:51:00.001-07:002013-05-09T12:51:51.327-07:00Watch Her Grow...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>This Week's Focus: Language and Independence</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Sorry for no photos again! I've been having issues uploading photos, maybe I'll try again tomorrow!</i><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b> </b><i> Interactions with Materials</i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Q-ball is again covered with temporary tattoos- 3 at the moment, I think. She loves these things.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Apparently, Q-ball knew that last weekend was Orthodox Easter because when Daddy asked her what she wanted to do with the afternoon, she said, "Easter egg hunt." So, I dug out the Easter eggs (which I had just recently been able to pack away!)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Others </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q-ball had her best babysitting expereince last night. This time her friends' mother came over to visit, and, while she was very nervous about us leaving, when we got home, she said she didn't want to stop playing and didn't want her caretaker to leave. This makes me leave much better about future separations as we still have a few birth classes to go, and Daddy and I are going on a date next week! (I think we've been on 3 in the past 25 months, so it's quite a change!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've haven't mentioned it here, but one of Q-ball's favorite games in the past few weeks has been "follow-the-leader," in which she, of course, is the leader. I'm told to stand up and sit down and stand up and sit down over there and stand up and sit down over here for a very, very long time. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interactions with Life </i></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are certainly experiencing the importance toddler routines. I have to be careful to help her put on her clothes in the same order, make sure I turn off the lights before closing a closet door (rather than after the door is already closed), and getting into the carseat can be very tricky, especially as we haven't really figured out what the routine is.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are linking up with <a href="http://www.vibrantwanderings.com/">Vibrant Wanderings</a>! Check out what other kiddos are up to this week! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439620035416456778.post-66733386278743019222013-05-03T11:51:00.002-07:002013-05-03T11:51:53.226-07:00The Social Patterns of a Two-Year Old<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> While I was studying child development, I was fascinated by the research of Arnold Gesell, so I was excited when I discovered that the Gesell Institute of Human Development has a series of books that describe your child year by year. When Q-ball turned one, I posted one of my favorite bits from the book <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2012/07/attention-span-of-toddler.html">here</a>, and at 18 months, I shared Gesell's theory of <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2012/09/disequilibrium-at-half-year.html">disequilbrium</a>. (If you're still following links, here's my overview of <a href="http://www.asecurebase.blogspot.com/2011/09/beyond-physical-milestones-part-ii.html">Gesell's research</a>.) As I just completed, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Two-Year-Old-Louise-Bates-Ames/dp/0440506387"><i>Your Two-Year-Old</i></a>, I wanted to again share my favorite figure what that book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Using long-term observations, the Gesell Institute determined that at two-years-old, a child is much more likely to talk to adults than to other children. In these interactions, the two-year-old will likely use two or three word phrases rather than single-word sentences. However, the youngster is still certainly controlling the conversation- choosing to not always answer when the adult addresses him or just repeating the adult's original comment. If a two-year-old does speak to someone else his age, the conversation is typically an attempt to maintain control over his space or stuff- "no, mine!" or "me want ball." While his verbalization is increasing overall, this is the last year of life that a child is more likely to say "no" through motor behavior rather than verbally. When given a request that he simply does not wish to follow, he may just walk away, look away, or continue to play. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> All this being said, the two-year-old's favorite person to talk to is himself! This makes sense given that these little ones are still firmly in their egocentric phase. This self-talk is often easily observed during independent play, especially imaginary play. At times, this self-talk may move towards an adult when the child wants to brag about all of his accomplishments- cleaning up by himself, feeding his own bear, or using the toilet alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>What's your two-year-old talking about?</b></i></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for subscribing to my blog messages! For more information about maternal attachment and infant development, check out my older posts at www.asecurebase.blogspot.com</div>Amy Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16543146353404427158noreply@blogger.com2