We'll I'm finally doing it! We are finally doing a Mommy and Me type preschool, we have invited 2-3 friends and their little ones to join us, so it is making me stick to a schedule!! Which is great! We just finished up week 2, our A week. We are using Moncure books, The Friend magazine, free printable worksheets from Confessions of a slacker mom and letter art ideas from Totally Tots Blog. You can find all the other little pieces and fun things I'm finding on my pinterest boards just find the letter of the week that you are doing and enjoy!
Have fun and love the time with your little ones!
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Becoming A Better Teacher
As I search, study, ponder, and pray upon the topic of teaching my children I come across so many wonderful resources of information. Each explains and enlightens the subjects of; the calling to be a parent, children's development, and many other wonderful topics to guide the quest to Teach the Children. Take the time to study, pray, and ponder on these things the Lord then can guide and inspire you. Elder Holland has said, "To teach effectively and to feel you are succeeding is demanding work indeed. But it is worth it. We can receive 'no greater call' ". ("A Teacher Come from God," Apr. 1998 general conference).
LDS.org has more wonderful resources and inspirational guidance on your path to becoming all you can be as a mother, a father, a teacher, than you will find anywhere else. Take time to study the doctrine of teaching and of the scriptures, of the Prophets, of our Savior Jesus Christ. Then you will become all that you can be and all that your children need you to be. "The Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability who is humble, faithful, and diligent in serving the Lord and seeks to improve himself. This is because God is the ultimate source of power." ~ Elder James E. Faust, "Acting for Ourselves and Not Being Acted Upon," Oct. 1995 general conference.
In particular there is a whole section of LDS.org that is dedicated to Teaching the Gospel, and "What teaching can compare in priceless value and in far-reaching effect with that which deals with man as he was in the eternity of yesterday, as he is in the mortality of today, and as he will be in the forever of tomorrow." J. Reuben Clark Jr., "Excerpts from The Charted Course of the Church in Education," Ensign, Sept. 2002, 60. Teaching the Gospel is full of guidance and direction as you learn of the importance of Your Call to Teach; the Principles and Methods of Teaching; Teaching Children, Youth and Adults; and Teaching in the Home. Each section will inspire and educate as you seek to become a better teacher, mother or father to your children.
LDS.org has more wonderful resources and inspirational guidance on your path to becoming all you can be as a mother, a father, a teacher, than you will find anywhere else. Take time to study the doctrine of teaching and of the scriptures, of the Prophets, of our Savior Jesus Christ. Then you will become all that you can be and all that your children need you to be. "The Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability who is humble, faithful, and diligent in serving the Lord and seeks to improve himself. This is because God is the ultimate source of power." ~ Elder James E. Faust, "Acting for Ourselves and Not Being Acted Upon," Oct. 1995 general conference.
In particular there is a whole section of LDS.org that is dedicated to Teaching the Gospel, and "What teaching can compare in priceless value and in far-reaching effect with that which deals with man as he was in the eternity of yesterday, as he is in the mortality of today, and as he will be in the forever of tomorrow." J. Reuben Clark Jr., "Excerpts from The Charted Course of the Church in Education," Ensign, Sept. 2002, 60. Teaching the Gospel is full of guidance and direction as you learn of the importance of Your Call to Teach; the Principles and Methods of Teaching; Teaching Children, Youth and Adults; and Teaching in the Home. Each section will inspire and educate as you seek to become a better teacher, mother or father to your children.
Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching: Lesson 1: Teaching Children
Truly I am amazed, I have heard of this book, and we have it in our personal library collection, but I never knew what a treasure trove of parental guidance lay within it's pages. A favorite quote from it's pages is;"Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are” (“Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, Apr. 1994, 60). The Savior’s example sets a pattern for us as we teach, care for, and influence children.
It is a sacred responsibility to teach children the gospel of Jesus Christ and help them learn to live it. ...... With the Spirit to guide you, you can love and teach children in a Christlike way. You can help each child find the peace promised to those who follow the Savior: “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (3 Nephi 22:13)."
Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching: Lesson 2: Age Characteristics of Children - This is a Wonderful resource for learning child development and growth, it starts at 18 months and goes on to 12 years old. A very good thing to have as a guide as you plan lessons and activities for your children and to help you understand the way they see and understand things at the stage they are in.
Pres. David O. McKay stated that "No greater responsibility can rest upon any man [or woman] than to be a teacher of God's children." (Conference Report, Oct. 1916, 57.) As mothers and fathers we have been given the greatest gift of trust and responsibility. Let us honor that trust and that love, by becoming the best we can be through earnest study and faith, and by teaching His and our dearest little ones every day in every way.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A mother's education... and some other thoughts
I have a very active mind, my husband and I joke that it is like there is a hamster in there that loves to run on the wheel and rarely stops. I have Always loved learning and college was one of the favorite times of my life, if I could be an eternal college student I'd love it! We've always talked about how I would take a class here or there once my husband had finished his education and we could afford it. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it is yet that time of life... I would Love to take a class... and yet, life is so full that I'm not sure that it would fit in now... or even will anytime in the near future. Being a mother is a full time job! And one that I love, yet often I find myself looking for a little something for me. The ideas of what that could be change constantly, everything from a community class, to a creating a small home based business and back again. As a bit of a perfectionist (in some specific areas, other areas not so much...) I can really get into an idea, make lots of preliminary plans, and then realize that it would cause disruption in our home and family, so I drop it... but I am having a hard time finding something that could fulfill that desire without becoming a distraction from the things and more importantly the people at home that mean the most to me. So I am turning in circles, most days I am completely happy and love being home every day with my little ones, but there are days that I'm down and out feeling tired and dizzy trying to find a creative outlet. (The pregnancy hormones are likely to blame for part of it ;-) I find it funny too that despite the fact that I often feel overwhelmed by the number of things that are on my "to do list" and I'm not getting too, yet I want to add something else to it too! What an interesting creature a woman is! I'm digressing, so on to the point of this post...
In some of my pondering and searching I came across some great articles that I wanted to be able to find again and that I feel a desire to write down my thoughts on (mostly so if tomorrow is a tough day I can come back and read this again!)
In the March 1975 Ensign, a section titled "Insights" if you scroll down a little there is an article called "Women and Education" that I found very comforting. It mentions that we have been taught by the leaders of our Church that "mothers who have young children in the home should devote their primary energies to the companionship and training of their children and the care of their families", and it brings me comfort knowing that I'm working everyday to do just that. It also talks of how much of a woman's life is not during this stage, and that is one of the reasons why we are encouraged to gain an education. Sometimes when we are in the stage of young children, it is hard and sad to imagine that someday they will no longer be young! As I transitioned straight from finishing my education into becoming a mother, sometimes I wonder if I will ever really use or need the degrees that I worked to obtain. So it is nice to think that an education is to prepare us not only for motherhood but also our entire period of life.
At the bottom of the same "Insights" there is an article called "The Creative Climate" and is a great eye opener as to things we say to our children that either cultivate their creativity or discourage it. Here are a few of the statements that foster courage, self-confidence and creativity:
"That time you almost did it; you're doing better every time.
That's a good idea!
That looks interesting. Tell me about it.
It's okay if you get dirty. :-)
Have fun!
I appreciate your help.
What ever you decide is fine with me."
And the list goes on.
I also found an article about "Lifelong Learning" on Mormon.org a few of my favorite quotes from there are "God expects all of us to gather as much knowledge as we are able—at school, at work and on our own. Doing so will help us through the challenges of this life, bring us closer to Him and prepare us for the life to come." Pres. Uchtdorf said, "...encourage your families… to learn and become better educated. If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your 'university'—a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply.” So even though taking more formal educational classes, or beginning a small home based business is not the best thing to do at this stage of my life, I can continue to learn and I must not become discouraged, but search out the best books to read and to learn from. Then if the time comes that I can "do more" so to speak, I will be more prepared to succeed. And even more important is that we find joy in the journey, and as Elder Uchtdorf recently said, "forget not to; be patient with ourselves, the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice, to be happy now, the "why" of the gospel, and that the Lord loves you."
In some of my pondering and searching I came across some great articles that I wanted to be able to find again and that I feel a desire to write down my thoughts on (mostly so if tomorrow is a tough day I can come back and read this again!)
In the March 1975 Ensign, a section titled "Insights" if you scroll down a little there is an article called "Women and Education" that I found very comforting. It mentions that we have been taught by the leaders of our Church that "mothers who have young children in the home should devote their primary energies to the companionship and training of their children and the care of their families", and it brings me comfort knowing that I'm working everyday to do just that. It also talks of how much of a woman's life is not during this stage, and that is one of the reasons why we are encouraged to gain an education. Sometimes when we are in the stage of young children, it is hard and sad to imagine that someday they will no longer be young! As I transitioned straight from finishing my education into becoming a mother, sometimes I wonder if I will ever really use or need the degrees that I worked to obtain. So it is nice to think that an education is to prepare us not only for motherhood but also our entire period of life.
At the bottom of the same "Insights" there is an article called "The Creative Climate" and is a great eye opener as to things we say to our children that either cultivate their creativity or discourage it. Here are a few of the statements that foster courage, self-confidence and creativity:
"That time you almost did it; you're doing better every time.
That's a good idea!
That looks interesting. Tell me about it.
It's okay if you get dirty. :-)
Have fun!
I appreciate your help.
What ever you decide is fine with me."
And the list goes on.
I also found an article about "Lifelong Learning" on Mormon.org a few of my favorite quotes from there are "God expects all of us to gather as much knowledge as we are able—at school, at work and on our own. Doing so will help us through the challenges of this life, bring us closer to Him and prepare us for the life to come." Pres. Uchtdorf said, "...encourage your families… to learn and become better educated. If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your 'university'—a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply.” So even though taking more formal educational classes, or beginning a small home based business is not the best thing to do at this stage of my life, I can continue to learn and I must not become discouraged, but search out the best books to read and to learn from. Then if the time comes that I can "do more" so to speak, I will be more prepared to succeed. And even more important is that we find joy in the journey, and as Elder Uchtdorf recently said, "forget not to; be patient with ourselves, the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice, to be happy now, the "why" of the gospel, and that the Lord loves you."
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