My friend Barbara, over at Barbara Frank Online, is having a series of giveaways. Barbara and her husband have just republished a book called An 1890 Kindergarten Story Curriculum - The original author, a teacher, organized it into a school-year’s worth (September to June) of stories and object lessons for young children.
Barbara is a fellow homeschooling mom and author who also has a child with Down syndrome.
Ending tonight is a great book giveaway, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Leave her a comment to win!
The next giveaway is How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie - another great read!
Please stop by Barbara's blog to enter!
Oh, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter while you're there!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Homeschooling and Down Syndrome - The Reluctant (??) Learner
Part One - The Homeschooling Parent
Children with Down syndrome (Ds) aren’t really reluctant learners but it may seem that way - especially in the early years of their lives. What may appear to be reluctance or resistance is just the way they try to deal with the complexities of life with Ds and the obstacles they face in learning.
Over the years I've had quite a few questions on this issue. I would like to share a few tricks of the trade. Little things that have helped me that might help you. Some are quite obvious but some thought given to the obvious may garner some new insights as to the importance of what is obvious and how it plays into the homeschooling environment.
Children First
Children with Ds are children first. Children are fun and like to have fun. They are silly and playful so why not play along! My experience with a child with Ds is that there is more fun with the extra chromosome! The learning environment should be filled with interesting and engaging materials that help make learning FUN!
The Parent
As homeschooling parents, we may be overwhelmed by the obstacles to learning our children with Ds face. I’m here to tell you its all about baby steps. – your own and the child’s. Homeschooling a child with Ds is not that hard – it just takes time and effort to learn how the child learns, what obstacles they face and then implement what you have learned into the child’s learning environment. You will learn together to make your home the best learning environment for your child!
Educate Yourself
Be educated and informed. My archives hold a great deal of information on homeschooling and Down syndrome. The sidebar to the right has many useful links. The Riverbend Down Syndrome Support website is full of research related to how children with Down syndrome learn and also quite a bit of information on homeschooling children with Ds.
Commitment
We all go through a research phase when considering homeschooling our children with Ds. It is usually a time filled with anxiety – very normal! We wonder if we are capable of this huge responsibility. You are! Once the decision is made to choose the homeschooling option, commit yourself fully to it. Our children will sense if we are just experimenting and not fully committed.
Our Approach
Are we approaching homeschooling our child based on their needs? When I was in the research phase, I feel in love with a literature based method of homeschooling. Soon I found out that approach would not be best for Reagan. She does not learn well from listening due to auditory processing issues.
So I switched my thinking and approach to best suit her learning needs. As you know, children with Ds are visual learners. All information given verbally should be paired with a visual – gesture, sign, flashcards, picture cues, the written word etc.
Our Attitude
Our attitude is so important to the learning environment. Our attitudes are contagious! If we approach our day and school hours with a positive outlook and enthusiasm our children will too!
I am by nature a quiet, reserved person. Though I do tend to look at life with a positive outlook, Reagan demands more of me. She has turned me into a rather loud and boisterous cheerleader! We feed off of each other in our excitement and love for learning.
The Parent – Child Relationship
A warm, loving relationship between the parent and child is essential in the homeschooling environment. Nurture this and many of your battles are won! Children with Ds tend to be very sensitive to the feelings of others. Reagan is no different. She wants to please me
Latent Gifts?
Homeschooling moms might discover a few latent gifts! Homeschooling may develop some underdeveloped gifts waiting to blossom!
Patience
Doesn't every parent pray for more patience? Homeschooling a child with Ds requires patience. Learning often takes longer and requires many more learning trials than with typically developing children. Just remember that as you tire of teaching a skill/concept they are just beginning to get it. The joy that follows when a new skill is accomplished or a new concept is consolidated is glorious!
Creativity
Don’t let your perceived lack of creativity stop you from considering homeschooling! I don’t consider myself the creative type but am surprised over and over again by what is delivered to me (from above) that which is needed to get a concept across! New avenues of delivering more abstract material appear with perfect timing.
Part Two
Children with Down syndrome (Ds) aren’t really reluctant learners but it may seem that way - especially in the early years of their lives. What may appear to be reluctance or resistance is just the way they try to deal with the complexities of life with Ds and the obstacles they face in learning.
Over the years I've had quite a few questions on this issue. I would like to share a few tricks of the trade. Little things that have helped me that might help you. Some are quite obvious but some thought given to the obvious may garner some new insights as to the importance of what is obvious and how it plays into the homeschooling environment.
Children First
Children with Ds are children first. Children are fun and like to have fun. They are silly and playful so why not play along! My experience with a child with Ds is that there is more fun with the extra chromosome! The learning environment should be filled with interesting and engaging materials that help make learning FUN!
The Parent
As homeschooling parents, we may be overwhelmed by the obstacles to learning our children with Ds face. I’m here to tell you its all about baby steps. – your own and the child’s. Homeschooling a child with Ds is not that hard – it just takes time and effort to learn how the child learns, what obstacles they face and then implement what you have learned into the child’s learning environment. You will learn together to make your home the best learning environment for your child!
Educate Yourself
Be educated and informed. My archives hold a great deal of information on homeschooling and Down syndrome. The sidebar to the right has many useful links. The Riverbend Down Syndrome Support website is full of research related to how children with Down syndrome learn and also quite a bit of information on homeschooling children with Ds.
Commitment
We all go through a research phase when considering homeschooling our children with Ds. It is usually a time filled with anxiety – very normal! We wonder if we are capable of this huge responsibility. You are! Once the decision is made to choose the homeschooling option, commit yourself fully to it. Our children will sense if we are just experimenting and not fully committed.
Our Approach
Are we approaching homeschooling our child based on their needs? When I was in the research phase, I feel in love with a literature based method of homeschooling. Soon I found out that approach would not be best for Reagan. She does not learn well from listening due to auditory processing issues.
So I switched my thinking and approach to best suit her learning needs. As you know, children with Ds are visual learners. All information given verbally should be paired with a visual – gesture, sign, flashcards, picture cues, the written word etc.
Our Attitude
Our attitude is so important to the learning environment. Our attitudes are contagious! If we approach our day and school hours with a positive outlook and enthusiasm our children will too!
I am by nature a quiet, reserved person. Though I do tend to look at life with a positive outlook, Reagan demands more of me. She has turned me into a rather loud and boisterous cheerleader! We feed off of each other in our excitement and love for learning.
The Parent – Child Relationship
A warm, loving relationship between the parent and child is essential in the homeschooling environment. Nurture this and many of your battles are won! Children with Ds tend to be very sensitive to the feelings of others. Reagan is no different. She wants to please me
Latent Gifts?
Homeschooling moms might discover a few latent gifts! Homeschooling may develop some underdeveloped gifts waiting to blossom!
Patience
Doesn't every parent pray for more patience? Homeschooling a child with Ds requires patience. Learning often takes longer and requires many more learning trials than with typically developing children. Just remember that as you tire of teaching a skill/concept they are just beginning to get it. The joy that follows when a new skill is accomplished or a new concept is consolidated is glorious!
Creativity
Don’t let your perceived lack of creativity stop you from considering homeschooling! I don’t consider myself the creative type but am surprised over and over again by what is delivered to me (from above) that which is needed to get a concept across! New avenues of delivering more abstract material appear with perfect timing.
Part Two
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Homeschooling and Down Syndrome - Routines
Remember my post on the groove? A groove is simply defined as a set pattern or routine in one’s actions or thoughts. Routine and structure are important to young learners with Down syndrome. The groove allows them greater freedom and independence within the known routines.
Individuals with Down syndrome thrive with a set routine.
Routine and structure are also important to the homeschooling household. Without a routine in our home, little would get done.
Routines are important to typically developing children too!
Routines are important for all of us!
A few suggestions for families homeschooling a child with Down syndrome regarding routines and motivating the child to work within the routine:
Develop a routine and stick to it.
It is important that your child knows what to expect every day. Soon you’ll find that your child will remind you what is left to be done.
Devote yourself to the routine.
Most of the distractions to our day came from the telephone. Train yourself to avoid those distractions until what you need to accomplish as far as school is complete.
Make a visual for the child to refer to as the day progresses.
Initially, I would just use a daily schedule. As the child understand the rhythm of the day, move on to weekly and monthly schedules.
Prepare the child well ahead of time of any changes.
Again, the groove. Changes in routine may cause anxiety in the child with Down syndrome. There will much less anxiety if any changes in the daily routine are talked about and placed in the weekly schedule.
School is not a choice.
Reagan has never known that she has a choice as far as doing her school work. It is something that happens every day. She does have choices about the less important things in her life but reading, writing and arithmetic are to be done daily.
Plan ahead.
Every Sunday I take the time to plan out our week. I plan and I gather materials so that when it comes time to start our day, I’m not running all over trying to find things while my child loses interest.
Speaking of planning
Plan all those necessary errands and physical/dental/therapy appointments after school hours.
Make fun a priority
The daily routine should consist of things the child enjoys inside the work day. Choose the right high interest materials to make learning fun.
Learning should be meaningful.
To keep the child engaged, learning should target the child's interests and build on what they know. New skills and concepts should be broken down into smaller steps to build on. As the skills/concepts are practiced and consolidated, add another step.
Consider rewards
I know you’re thinking food but I am not! Sincere, appropriate praise will be genuinely appreciated and will go far in keeping with the flow of the day and the child's willingness to participate.
Use that wonderful parent – child relationship as a reward for you both. How about a little cuddle time on the couch with mom and a good book? Our visual learners all love a little computer time or a DVD for a good school day and a job well done.
Speaking of rewards.
Sprinkle rewards throughout the day as necessary. More frequent rewards may increase motivation to stay with the scheduled day.
Individuals with Down syndrome thrive with a set routine.
Routine and structure are also important to the homeschooling household. Without a routine in our home, little would get done.
Routines are important to typically developing children too!
Routines are important for all of us!
A few suggestions for families homeschooling a child with Down syndrome regarding routines and motivating the child to work within the routine:
Develop a routine and stick to it.
It is important that your child knows what to expect every day. Soon you’ll find that your child will remind you what is left to be done.
Devote yourself to the routine.
Most of the distractions to our day came from the telephone. Train yourself to avoid those distractions until what you need to accomplish as far as school is complete.
Make a visual for the child to refer to as the day progresses.
Initially, I would just use a daily schedule. As the child understand the rhythm of the day, move on to weekly and monthly schedules.
Prepare the child well ahead of time of any changes.
Again, the groove. Changes in routine may cause anxiety in the child with Down syndrome. There will much less anxiety if any changes in the daily routine are talked about and placed in the weekly schedule.
School is not a choice.
Reagan has never known that she has a choice as far as doing her school work. It is something that happens every day. She does have choices about the less important things in her life but reading, writing and arithmetic are to be done daily.
Plan ahead.
Every Sunday I take the time to plan out our week. I plan and I gather materials so that when it comes time to start our day, I’m not running all over trying to find things while my child loses interest.
Speaking of planning
Plan all those necessary errands and physical/dental/therapy appointments after school hours.
Make fun a priority
The daily routine should consist of things the child enjoys inside the work day. Choose the right high interest materials to make learning fun.
Learning should be meaningful.
To keep the child engaged, learning should target the child's interests and build on what they know. New skills and concepts should be broken down into smaller steps to build on. As the skills/concepts are practiced and consolidated, add another step.
Consider rewards
I know you’re thinking food but I am not! Sincere, appropriate praise will be genuinely appreciated and will go far in keeping with the flow of the day and the child's willingness to participate.
Use that wonderful parent – child relationship as a reward for you both. How about a little cuddle time on the couch with mom and a good book? Our visual learners all love a little computer time or a DVD for a good school day and a job well done.
Speaking of rewards.
Sprinkle rewards throughout the day as necessary. More frequent rewards may increase motivation to stay with the scheduled day.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Pace
I have always loved an essay by Dennis McGuire, Ph.D, of the Adult Down Syndrome Center of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois called The Pace. One of the most valuable lessons Reagan (15 y.o. with Down syndrome) has taught me is to slow down and delight in the little things in life. Moving with her, at her pace, brings many new discoveries and joys. She sees the world and delights in it like it is new every day. What a gift!
While Reagan does not have obsessional slowness, an obsessive-compulsive disorder found in some people with cognitive impairments, she does move at her own pace. A pace where she can take in, process and react to her environment.
It is a slower pace. A pace where beauty flows and God is allowed in every moment. In fact, it is about living in the moment. There is a rhythm to it that I had not known before. Its almost magical.
Interestingly enough, I do not talk to her at a slower rate. We do our school work at a very rapid pace so that she does not get bored. Boring is another "B" word (along with brush and bath) around here. If Reagan senses a "B" word, watch out for avoidance behaviors and mild irritation!
Yes, I have know frustration with the pace...and I ask God to forgive me for being so selfish and small. The pace has blessed me abundantly and I am grateful.
So, we pace our days with her - planning a little more time during activities of daily living and outings to allow for her pace. My life is better for it. It lets us see the little things that might otherwise pass us by. Life it so much less stressful at Reagan's pace. The pressure is off and we are free to enjoy.
The pace - one of the many blessings of having a child with Down syndrome.
While Reagan does not have obsessional slowness, an obsessive-compulsive disorder found in some people with cognitive impairments, she does move at her own pace. A pace where she can take in, process and react to her environment.
It is a slower pace. A pace where beauty flows and God is allowed in every moment. In fact, it is about living in the moment. There is a rhythm to it that I had not known before. Its almost magical.
Interestingly enough, I do not talk to her at a slower rate. We do our school work at a very rapid pace so that she does not get bored. Boring is another "B" word (along with brush and bath) around here. If Reagan senses a "B" word, watch out for avoidance behaviors and mild irritation!
Yes, I have know frustration with the pace...and I ask God to forgive me for being so selfish and small. The pace has blessed me abundantly and I am grateful.
So, we pace our days with her - planning a little more time during activities of daily living and outings to allow for her pace. My life is better for it. It lets us see the little things that might otherwise pass us by. Life it so much less stressful at Reagan's pace. The pressure is off and we are free to enjoy.
The pace - one of the many blessings of having a child with Down syndrome.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Sinful?
It only tastes that way!
I've had a miserable, no good, rotten cold over the last several days. What's more comforting than a bowl of chicken soup when you're not feeling well?
Cream Cheese Chicken Soup
Adapted from My Kitchen Cafe
2 cups chicken, cooked and diced
1 large onion, finely diced
1-2 Tablespoons butter
4-5 reg carrots, diced
5-6 cups chicken broth
4-5 potatoes, finely diced
1 t marjoram, dried
1 t basil, dried
1/2 - 1 t garlic powder
1/2 - 1 t cayenne pepper (Optional)
4 T margarine or butter
4 T flour
2 cups milk
12 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature
Saute onion in 1-2 T butter. Put onion in Dutch oven and add chicken broth, carrots, and potatoes. Add more broth if needed to cover vegetables. Add seasonings and bring to a boil, then simmer until veggies are tender (about ten minutes). Add cooked chicken.
Melt 4 T butter with flour. Stir for one to two minutes. Add cold milk all at once. Stir until thick and bubbly. Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add cheese sauce to soup pot and stir until fully incorporated.
Season with salt and pepper.
I cook a LOT of soup during the Lenten season. This soup is a huge hit with the kids!
I've had a miserable, no good, rotten cold over the last several days. What's more comforting than a bowl of chicken soup when you're not feeling well?
Cream Cheese Chicken Soup
Adapted from My Kitchen Cafe
2 cups chicken, cooked and diced
1 large onion, finely diced
1-2 Tablespoons butter
4-5 reg carrots, diced
5-6 cups chicken broth
4-5 potatoes, finely diced
1 t marjoram, dried
1 t basil, dried
1/2 - 1 t garlic powder
1/2 - 1 t cayenne pepper (Optional)
4 T margarine or butter
4 T flour
2 cups milk
12 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature
Saute onion in 1-2 T butter. Put onion in Dutch oven and add chicken broth, carrots, and potatoes. Add more broth if needed to cover vegetables. Add seasonings and bring to a boil, then simmer until veggies are tender (about ten minutes). Add cooked chicken.
Melt 4 T butter with flour. Stir for one to two minutes. Add cold milk all at once. Stir until thick and bubbly. Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add cheese sauce to soup pot and stir until fully incorporated.
Season with salt and pepper.
I cook a LOT of soup during the Lenten season. This soup is a huge hit with the kids!
Lent - Examination of Conscience
One of the reasons I love Lent is that it is a season where I am invited to be introspective. I am introverted by nature but my calling to be a wife and mother keeps me focused on the external most of the hours of my days. In Lent, I have permission to go to the place where I get re-energized and focused with greater frequency –-- solitude!
So, in my solitude, I must be disciplined. My mind must not be allowed to wander. I must be focused on the task at hand. Each Lent we are invited to examine our conscience. God sees us as we are but do we see ourselves as we are? As broken people, we often tuck away our sins in a place where we don’t have to see them for what they are. Sometimes we don't see how our little sins become habit and affect those around us. Taking a closer look at that place, called a conscience, will hopefully help us to see what separates us from God.
So, what is a conscience? I like this definition "It is man’s sanctuary where each of us assesses himself and is assessed by God in terms of our faithfulness or lack thereof to God’s law….Prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we have sinned against God."
What is sin? Sin is anything which offends God.
I like this passage from C. S. Lewis on the root of sin:
The Problem of Pain, Chapter 5
It sometimes takes a great deal of courage to examine one’s conscience. For some, it is hard to go to the place where everything is laid bare and we are exposed for who we really are – not just what we want others to see.
It’s not really such a scary place if we invite God to go there with us. I like this prayer to invite God to be with me.
Being raised in the Roman Catholic denomination, I was called to do frequent examination of conscience in preparation for weekly confession. It was training that takes away the fear that some know when called to examine their conscience. It is almost second nature for me.
I go there knowing I am loved and that God desires that the distance that separates me from Him, caused by my broken, sinful nature, be vanished. I want to go there. With all my heart, I want to know His forgiveness and feel His closeness as I repent my sins.
There are many helpful resources on the internet for examining one’s conscience. Because I am called to be a wife and mother, my tool this year will is The Two Shall Become One: The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Marriage.
The Anglican Church calls confession "the ministry of reconciliation" and it is available for all who desire it. Those seeking absolution confess their sins before a priest or a bishop. I don't know many Anglicans who take advantage of this rite. Do you make it a habit?
I'll take the whole of Lent to ponder and pray -- and ask forgiveness. My joy will only be increased when Easter comes...
So, in my solitude, I must be disciplined. My mind must not be allowed to wander. I must be focused on the task at hand. Each Lent we are invited to examine our conscience. God sees us as we are but do we see ourselves as we are? As broken people, we often tuck away our sins in a place where we don’t have to see them for what they are. Sometimes we don't see how our little sins become habit and affect those around us. Taking a closer look at that place, called a conscience, will hopefully help us to see what separates us from God.
So, what is a conscience? I like this definition "It is man’s sanctuary where each of us assesses himself and is assessed by God in terms of our faithfulness or lack thereof to God’s law….Prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we have sinned against God."
What is sin? Sin is anything which offends God.
I like this passage from C. S. Lewis on the root of sin:
“From the moment a creature becomes aware of God as God and of itself as self, the terrible alternative of choosing God or self for the center is opened to it. The sin is committed daily by young children and ignorant peasants as well as by sophisticated persons, by solitaries no less than by those who live in society: it is the fall in every individual life, and in each day of each individual life, the basic sin behind all particular sins: at this very moment you and I are either committing it or about to commit it, or repenting it.”
The Problem of Pain, Chapter 5
It sometimes takes a great deal of courage to examine one’s conscience. For some, it is hard to go to the place where everything is laid bare and we are exposed for who we really are – not just what we want others to see.
It’s not really such a scary place if we invite God to go there with us. I like this prayer to invite God to be with me.
Being raised in the Roman Catholic denomination, I was called to do frequent examination of conscience in preparation for weekly confession. It was training that takes away the fear that some know when called to examine their conscience. It is almost second nature for me.
I go there knowing I am loved and that God desires that the distance that separates me from Him, caused by my broken, sinful nature, be vanished. I want to go there. With all my heart, I want to know His forgiveness and feel His closeness as I repent my sins.
There are many helpful resources on the internet for examining one’s conscience. Because I am called to be a wife and mother, my tool this year will is The Two Shall Become One: The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Marriage.
The Anglican Church calls confession "the ministry of reconciliation" and it is available for all who desire it. Those seeking absolution confess their sins before a priest or a bishop. I don't know many Anglicans who take advantage of this rite. Do you make it a habit?
I'll take the whole of Lent to ponder and pray -- and ask forgiveness. My joy will only be increased when Easter comes...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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