Peaceful 'Ohana
Posts tagged child development
Ｗａｌｄｏｒｆ スクール
Mar 31st
日本からハワイに旅行に来ていた知り合い親子からリクエストされて、
Ｗａｌｄｏｒｆスクールを見学に行ってきました。
私は、神秘哲学者であるルドルフ・シュタイナーの教育ということと、かなりユニークな学校だということくらいしか知りませんでした。
私のママ友たちからのウワサでは、かなり良い評判と、または「テストや宿題がないので不安」とか、
「アートに力を入れている学校」とか適当な評判を聞いていました。
オフィスで先生がとても熱心に学校の方針を話してくれました。
まず「アートに力をいれている」というのが、とんだ勘違いだとわかりました。
指先を使うということが脳の発達にとても重要だという根拠から
1年生で編み物を教えるそうで、実際子供が作ったというウサギの形のぬいぐるみを見せてくれました。
粘土には、カラフルな蜜蝋を使うそうです。これも実際見せてくれました。普通のプレイドー（市販の子供用粘土）と違って
固く、手の中でしばらく温めてからでないといろんな形にできません。これも、忍耐力を養う訓練だそうです。
これはただの図画工作の時間ではないのです。手先を使うことによって人間形成をしているのだそうです。
Learning About Baby: Month To Month
Nov 3rd
Mason is now going into his third month. Here’s some of the things I’ve picked up in that time:
FIRST MONTH: NEW THINGS —
1) Screaming — seemingly uncontrollable screaming — not crying, but a sound that I’ve nicknamed, “the chipmunk”; animal-like and very unnerving.
Recommendation: Earplugs – I personally found that during those colicky screaming jags, better than get upset and try everything until you exhaust yourself, buy some earplugs (under $5) and leave them strategically within arms-reach around every room. Your new child will still scream, but it takes abit of the edge off the tone.
2) Shaking — both arms go flying into the air and shake, flaying all about at anything new, any movement, any sound.
Recommendation: Patience – in the second month, our son has calmed down about almost everything now. 
3) Pooping — breastfeeding apparently is different than formula, but, the amount and texture of breastfeed baby poop is something very new (like a “butternut squash” or “India Dahl curry”). And, now, daily discussions with Masako about our son’s bowel movements.
Recommendation: Diapers — lots of them. My wife told me, “you can never have too many”, and I now believe her. Besides, if you do have too many and your child outgrows them, give them to another new parent. (They will bless you!)
SECOND MONTH: NEW THINGS –
1) Cooing – you know, those ga, ga, goo, goo sounds that you used to see in movies (before they made all the children have adult thoughts and words).
Recommendation: Quiet Time — find some time to get down on the floor with your child and try talking with him; no TV, no distractions, just some nice quiet time together.
2) Seeing — the world starts coming into focus for your child.
Recommendation: Tour Guide — show your child around your home, introduce him to the furniture, windows, mommy, and other wonders in your world.
3) Smiling — no longer is your child only screaming and shaking at you, he’s now starting to smile, and, sometimes even laugh. It’s beautiful.
Recommendation: Aloha — get down close to his face, practice your best “ALOHA” (Ha means breath in Hawaiian and Aloha was traditionally done as a greeting with noses touching). Then, wait as he starts recognizing you. And smiling, and laughing…
Additional Resources:
-these worked great | 
-cute idea | 
-we enjoy ours | 
- bought one used and he enjoys it.
technorati tags:childcare, child_development, being_a_dad
Link to this post!