Welcome to this year’s A to Z Challenge! This year I’m talking Child Care. I’ll be blogging topics related to my many years in the family home daycare profession. I hope you can find a tidbit of information that is useful in caring for children whether you’re a parent, grand or another important person in a child’s life. And to end each post, I’ll share a bit of my creative side/relaxation time. Taking time for yourself is good for your health–both yours and your family’s 😉
A schedule, continuity of care, structure, or whatever you call it, is the way of the world. Plans keep us on track. One plan I use a lot is a way to see into the minds of children, letting you know more about themselves and even a little more about yourself. It’s a journal of our conversations. Called conversation starters, it allows me to know if I am hearing/seeing what they need to know. So for example, the following convo was to see what some of my older-about-to-start-kindergarten and 1st grade children were thinking.
The Question: What are you worried about for the new school year? Why?
Ben (1st grader): Work. Because it’s boring. (Clearly the expert here)
Hudson (Kindergartener): Kind of new people–There’s people I’ve never met before. (I just wanted to hug him after this answer)
Sawyer (1st grader): If I’ll pass or not (And he’s smart so I am not worried)
Hunter (4 years old): My teacher being nice (Preschool can be scary too)
Once this conversation was finished, we did a lot of talking on the subject over a period of time because as you can see, School is a Big Deal. They were clearly thinking about it, had fears and needed reassurance. We read stories on beginning school and just compared how similar it is to daycare. And we always hold a little party for those headed off to school to help them have a postitive outlook and allow them to celebrate the achievement of this milestone in their lives. It’s truly a sad moment for me, but I don’t want this to come across to them. They have so much to give to the world and I want the beginning of their elementary years to be something to look forward to.
Sticking with examples of a day in my Creative section of this post today. I wanted to share some beauty of Mid-Missouri in April on the prairie. Paintbrush and Compass Plant Rosinweed are some of the feature flowers on the prairie. I’m kinda upset I didn’t get a good shot of the Goldenrod though. Still, I hope you enjoy our long-way home after grocery delivery to mother’s house.
Indian Paintbrush and Compass Plant Rosinweed 
Pair of Indian Paintbrush 
Prairie view in April
Hope you’ll take time to check out other A to Z blogs in the month on April. Click here to find the list. Click here for the Official A to Z blog. Have a great day and stay safe!!
Katy Trail Creations 
Transitions are scary even for adults. How wonderful that you spend time helping prepare them.
Beautiful flower pictures. Everything is still all brown here. No blooms yet but hopefully soon.
Weekends In Maine
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Our conversation time is my favorite. They are so honest and straightforward. Hopefully you get your spring soon!
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I wish I had written some of the comments made to me by children in my years of teaching. I was always too busy to write things down. Maybe if I’d had a smart phone I could have made notes. I did get them to write about their feelings. That’s all gone too. Same with grandchildren. If only.
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One thing we’re trained in our classes to try to do is document everything possible. It’s not always possible since as you say it’s busy but I have tried to do this off and on as time permits. Teachers are busy and I remember one period where I was potty training 7 children. Oh my word! Thought it would never end lol
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