Learning all the time

Sunday 10th 


Some days it feels like we don't really do anything, that possibly we have neglected the children altogether and how have they learnt anything today? But of course it is Sunday and most children don't go to school on a Sunday so it's okay not to 'do' anything with them. But then I  remember that we know that children learn all the time. That every waking moment contributes to their education, whether they are playing on their own, with siblings or friends, whether we are at home or out and about, whether it is something new and spontaneous or something they have asked to do, whether we are gaining knowledge or practising skills or resting or helping mummy and daddy. I remember that we are free to feel the rhythm of our children and support them when they need support, give them space when they want to be independent, let them relax/ sleep/ eat when they need to.
Today we have not actively participated in a trip out or sit down exercise, a craft, music making, train track building or any of our other usual pursuits but I know they have been watching and listening and playing and learning all the time. 

I'm glad I spent it with you

Wednesday


We spent today at the Wittering's Beach with Grandma and Pops. It wasn't as sunny as last Friday but it was a great day none the less.
Today Grandma asked me the question, 'so what is he [Bean] learning today?' So here is my reply....


The journey to the beach involved Bean map reading, this mostly involved asking about the different coloured roads and guessing what the symbols meant, We looked these up using the key when we arrived at the beach to see which ones we had guessed correctly. He even spotted a National Trust sign on the roadside on the way there! (Would you like me to give them subject headings, let's call this geography.)


He also spends a lot of time trying to read the speedometer and speed limit signs. This involves reading numbers and understanding there value in relation to each other (Maths)


Today the sand was used for: building castles, which involved digging deep for wet sand; making a flag from a stick and a tissue; burying Bean; and burying the frisbee. The sea was used for: paddling in; exploring seaweed, mostly Pumpkin avoiding it!) pouring water and running through. The beach is a whole day of sand and water play, which is an unquestioned activity in most early years settings, our advantage being having them in their natural habitat. Discovering about materials and their different properties, how they change when you add things to them i.e. water to sand, or how things change over time i.e. tidal movement. This play also involves physical dexterity, problem solving, social skills, communication and a multi sensory experience all contributing to their congnitive development and knowledge (language, science, maths, social development)


Bean also set up a game of cricket using two spades and a stone. One spade was the bat and the other the wickets. Being able to use one item and pretend it is another is not only very useful for when you think you have no toys available and are able to gather together a few odd objects and they become a whole new world but is the same process of thought used in successful problem solving in adulthood (seeing a use for things that they were not designed for.) (Creative and physical development)


Pumpkin continues to be a very sensory learner and spent a large amount of time lying in the sand, head and all! Very messy but soft sand is very pleasing to touch so I could see the appeal, I just wouldn't put my face in it.


Spending a day with family and multiple generations also contributes to their social and emotional well-being. Feeling valued and cared for by those closet to them and respecting and caring in return. Today Bean took 4 pennies each for grandma and pops to buy them an ice-cream. 



We went over to the cafe to buy ice-creams where the boys learnt to select and order and pay for their own purchases, although we did have an odd moment when the shop assistant looked at me and asked if I knew that they had ordered dark chocolate even though I was right next to them when they were ordering. However, instead of merely role-playing the situation they were able to learn from a real life experience. (Maths, communication, literacy, social.)

Unbeknown to me the boys had also been watching the life guards closely and three days later (Saturday) have been playing with the playmobil men and quad bikes and walkie-talkies in the bath enacting what they observed. (observation-science; story telling-literacy, communication, language; memory recall; shared experience - social; making sense of the world around them-humanities.)



And all this was just whilst we were at the beach and I know they learnt far more than I have recorded here. All three smalls slept on the way home and consequently up later again. Pumpkin spent a happy time entertaining friends looking at books and Bean set up the dolls house on his bed having a picnic.

A hard days night

So it's not always by day that we learn. What do I mean by that? I am rapidly realising that home ed has no schedule, it is not something that we do amongst other things that we do, it is in fact the way we live.

Plum 14 weeks smiling at her mummy

A friend of mine posted on FB this week about the transformation she was feeling after her 10 week old slept through the night. By way of comparison, here is how our nights have been this week. This week has been emotionally stressful for the boys which I am attributing to Bean's trip to Grandma and Pop's. He had a lovely time but it obviously took its toll on both Bean and Pumpkin. This has manifest itself in several ways cumulating itself last night.

7.30pm The boys were both in bed 
9.00pm Pumpkin woke: disturbed, cuddles required.
9.30pm I went to bed (some of you might think this is a bit early for a Friday night but you will find out why it has become necessary) 
10.00pm Feed Plum (this takes about 45minutes)
12.00 midnight (Pumpkin wakes: he had lost his pillow (yes, his pillow!)
1.00 am Feed Plum plus some cuddle time as she was a bit unsettled (unusual for her in the night)
3.00am Plum unsettled. More cuddles needed.
4.00am Feed Plum (not sure it was a feed she wanted but the nussle time and milk settled her)
5.00am Pumpkin has wet: change sheets comically in the dark so as not to disturb Bean...
5.10am still changing Pumpkin's bed, Bean has wet. Continue comedy bed change in the dark.
6.00am Plum wakes definitely for a feed.
7.45am Plum wakes to start her day
8,15am I wake up daddy who takes Plum and boys to breakfast and let's me sleep.
(Public declaration of love coming up)
Thank you Daddy, love you x
10.45am I breakfast. 

Pumpkin 3 1/4 enjoying his lunch...as always!

Am I jealous of my FB friend? in that moment I read her post-yes. Anyone who's anyone knows I love my sleep. 

Bean 4 11/12 trying on my glasses

Do I love my children more? absolutely. I am far more concerned of their need for emotional security and the meeting of their physical needs than I am at 'forcing' them to sleep through the night (and I don't mean to imply that that's what my friend has done but I do know there is a school of thought out there that would.) And I also know that without these things in place their learning will be limited. I also know that my day (or should I say, night?) will come, even if not this week/ month/ year. And I also know that my FB friend will discover this too as I guarantee not every night will be a whole one!