This morning I had a call from the friends we spent time with yesterday. They had smoke fires around their place and needed to vacate quickly for the morning. Can they come around? Well, Yes I replied, but we will do activities Ill think of something. Foremost in my mind was the fact that the kids played all yesterday (you may remember my blog entry on the value of play) and I wanted today to be a good focus day.
When I told my kids that the Conleys were coming but we were going to do something together they were disappointed. Jess then gave me a lecture on the value of play, the learning value of play. I seriously suspected her of reading my blog that very morning! I was convicted . I had fallen into that trap yet again of making learning a prescribed event in our day to be controlled by my planning.
So here they are all busy playing, even as I type. They have played outside for a while with horses on sticks that one of the girls has made for everyone. MC has gone to visit someone else while baby Phillip takes a nap. Now the rest of the kids are inside Josh is listening to Story on tape while filing his notebooks, the rest of them are sewing with felt and wool. I wonder what wonderful creations will come out of this playtime.
I love your blog! Can you tell me more about what your 7 year old does for Table time? As my son gets older, I am finding he does not enjoy the preschool type activities as much and is ready for more challenging activities..do you have any ideas? He is 6. Thanks!
I like your comments on the value of play. This year I’ve tried to get into the habit of looking for educational value of any sort in my kids’ leisure moments and sometimes get quite a kick out of what I come up with. I like feeling as if no moment goes wasted.
Later this week, we’re going down to the city to pick up Numero. I looked at its website and it sounds just up our alley. Any way of making a good experience out of Maths is welcome here. So thanks for that recommendation too.
Hope you have a great week,
Paula