“The wonder of being a parent is the ability to see the world through new eyes.”
Diane Flynn Keith is the Editor-In-Chief of Homefires.com, a website devoted to kindling a life-long love of learning and empowering parents around the world with the support and resources needed to help their children get a meaningful education at home.
Diane feels that the number one problem facing parents today is the noise from culture that screams at parents that they don’t know how to take care of their children. She believes that we need to rely on what we know instinctively is right for our kids. We are our child’s best expert.
Most people associate schooling with learning. Research is showing that children are naturally drawn to what they need to learn. The preschool years are a time for self discovery, not cramming information into a preschooler’s brain.
When choosing a preschool for your child, keep the following in mind:
1. Make sure that parents are involved in the preschool (parent co-op).
2. Look for play-based preschool, one that emphasizes the importance of play.
3. Stay away from academically based preschools. It is too stressful for a preschooler.
4. Make sure that there are lots of toys that encourage the use of a child’s imagination and interaction with other kids and with their teacher.
5. Montesorri schools are a good preschool option. Read Maria Montesorri’s book, The Montessori Method first to make sure the school is true to her philosophy.
To help you educate your children, Diane recommends the following resources:
1. ”Your Child’s Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning From Birth to Adolescence” by Jane M. Healy
2. Gesell Institute http://www.Gesellinstitute.org – to find out about children’s developmental stages
3. Alliancefor Childhood www.AllianceForChildhood.org – Play is the primary way that children learn.
4. Greathall Productions http://www.Greathall.com – Storytelling recordings and Performances by Jim Weiss
You can find out more about Diane’s Preschool Learning Extravaganza program here: www.GreatParentingShow.com/diane
Click here to listen to the replay of the interview.
Like
No comments yet.