She said, “OFF. OFF. OFF.” She tugged at my coat sleeve. Toddler Claire was telling me to take my coat off when I stepped inside her house for a moment because she wanted me to stay! Oh, the heart strings were singing! I hadn’t planned to stay but I wanted
Read MoreWe were IN the story together! I was Smoothie, the Bee, getting 2-5 yr. olds to help me teach my brother, Buzzbee, how to calm himself so he wouldn’t hurt his little bee head bumping into flowers anymore. We drummed and buzzed fast and tense, took deep breaths, calmed ourselves,
Read MoreMy son was 9 years old when the other boys bullied him and made fun of his name. It was at a slumber party which meant he was isolated and left to be considered outside the accepted circle. When he returned home the next day, he told me about what
Read More“That was not a good choice to kick the train Claire was playing with, Grayson. Please share what you were feeling.” Silence. Head down. No response. “I am not mad. I want you to understand why you made that choice and how you felt inside.” “I didn’t feel anything.” “Feelings
Read MoreThey say it takes a village to raise a child. I love living in Ashland, Oregon, because it is a ‘village’ that encourages and sponsors wonderful, or rather, FUNderful creativity with parades, special events like the Monster Dash one mile run benefit for education and a costume contest where thousands
Read More“Good job!” I said as Claire was feeling like a big girl drinking out of a water fountain, being reminded to keep mouth away from fountain, hands out of it and to give others a turn. Claire loves accomplishing new tasks as any toddler does. There’s so much to learn
Read More“What did you like about Disneyland?” I’m being asked. My response is that Einstein and Walt Disney were in agreement that imagination is more important than knowledge. AND, most importantly, I felt HOPE. Why? Because Disneyland is a place that prioritizes children AND encourages the child within for any age
Read More“Boo” is a communication that has special meaning to me. Communication happens at all ages. We do it in different ways, with different gestures, words, sounds, whole body language. Listening to the cues and clues with those who don’t speak exactly the way we do is such a gift in
Read MoreClaire and Grandma Boom silly time. Claire kept laying her head down on the dining room table and looking at me as she sat in my lap. I followed her lead and did the same with my head. She laughed, lifted her head up, then repeated the same. Again, I
Read MoreIt’s a fun adventure to stir cooking food! Things that we take for granted are pure excitement for toddlers. Letting 23 month old Claire join in with a wooden spoon she could manage with her little hand kept her focused and happy. It is nothing short of an experiential lesson
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