Positive self image is catching.

So why not love your image. All those little faces that look up at us big people are paying attention. If they can see we accept ourselves for the form we have grown into it will help them to accept theirs now and in the future, and other peoples too.

This is not just a one sided gender issue. Think about the boys and the men who struggle to love or even like the body they have.

Our Garden

Today we finished our seed planting...all raised beds, pots and areas of soil that were remotely viable for sewing were sprinkled with a variety of seeds...in the past I have helped set up rows to sew the seeds into...this year I designed the garden to be easy to reach the stuff the children graze on, kale (they LOVE kale...LOVE LOVE LOVE kale), parsley and other salad greens into pots along the front edge of the plot...the carrots and radishes and beets that need a little more time to mature are scattered in behind the border of salad stuff....We shall see if my mad plans yield us some more produce this year...in the shady plot this year the children scattered edible flowers...so we can have tasty colours and happy bees will come...I added five pumpkin seedlings (fingers crossed we get a  orange squash like vegetable)...Along the fence we planted peas...they have been growing and are almost tall enough to start grabbing hold of the chain link (so exciting)...along the wooden fence near our sand box we set up a row of pots with many different beans...hopefully they will make it to climb on the framework over the sand box and give us  little shade...We also scattered fennel and dill seeds everywhere to encourage Ladybugs...we even chucked about some oat grass seeds to add to our clover just because we could...Here is hoping I have photos of the successful progress to post.

Some good reads

Risk taking and playgrounds, 7 things every kid should master, The Science of Superheroes, and 

The Overprotected kid

Ultimately all these articles speak to how we can help children to feel confidant in being themselves.

Joyous chatter among the little people.

I am allotted a precious 15 minutes for a break during my 5 hour afternoon shift. During this time I attempt to hide from my charges and my co-workers and have a quiet moment. Sometimes I scarf down a cup of milky tea in our staff room. More often than not I drink my tea and hide in the office that is attached to our main room. Hiding this way I can observe the children and staff, mostly unnoticed. It is opportunity to witness the interactions of the people I spend my afternoons with. I want to see proof that we are doing our best, we are making progress, that attachments are being made and maintained, and that the children are happy in who they are. This past Friday I hear happy voices chatting away. I realize it was Chinese I head being spoken. Then two small people rush past the office door giggling. I poke my head out and ask with a big smile on my face, "Were you two just speaking Chinese to each other!?" The girl who can be quite quiet at times answers with a resounding, "Yes!" I acknowledged, "That is so cool!" It made my heart rejoice that they were using their home language at daycare with such joy and boisterousness. It was a small bit of proof that they feel safe to be themselves. I do not need to know what they were chatting about. I do need to know that they have no shame using home language at daycare.

Ongoing play

and therefor it ha no end...it just flows

speaks from experience

"You're only given a little spark of maddness. You mustn't lose it." Robin Willians 

Risk taking and why it is a good thing...

"...the best way to keep children safe is to give them a little taste of danger..."