Circle of Security International

http://circleofsecurity.net/

In my need for more information I was directed to this site: Circle of Security International . On this site there are some short videos that do an excellent job of explaining their technique for being and emotionally attached parent.  here is one: Connection — Circle of Security International

Love Builds Brains - Dr. Jean Clinton

Was at a workshop today and was reminded about this video. Love Builds Brains Jean Clinton is one of my Early Years Heroes.

...they are not trying to push your buttons....

here is the link 10 Things about childhood trauma every teacher needs to know

The Golden Gleam: Benefits of Climbing Slides {Outdoor Play Party}

The Golden Gleam: Benefits of Climbing Slides {Outdoor Play Party}: Parents allowing their children to climb UP slides  is one of those controversial parenting issues.  If you let your kid go up the slid...

Why is it dark?

Almost every day this time of year one of the children will ask "Why is it dark?". This is an excellent question. This is a question based on observation. This is a scientist asking why? So there we are on the path of knowledge as we are every moment of every day. And there I am the one with the knowledge about where to go next to find more clues. Clues to build on what we know about the world around us. I am working with people who can still accept that Faeries and Dragons are real. Accept that animals, plants, and the wind can talk. So I could tell the story about a chariot pulling the sun across the sky. It is a good story and I am all about stories. I am also all about science. I know that if I pay attention and listen I can help these young people to find the facts. Facts that will help them comprehend the celestial movements of our little planet in reference to the star we call the Sun. I explain about Earth spinning, spinning a little tipped over. That while spinning it goes in a big circle around the sun. That each morning we see the sun because the Earth has turned. Every night it gets dark because the Earth is still turning. That we have turned away from the Sun. There is also some explanation about the Moon going around the Earth and the phases of the Moon. That is from another discussion when the question was "Where is the Moon? And why does it change shape?" As I am explaining I check in now and then to see where the knowledge is sitting in these young people. I see in their eyes with confusion or acceptance. I continue till they seem satisfied with what I have explained. Then later that day or in a few days one of them will bring me a picture like this. Then I know I must have been on the right path with these curious young people.

It is the Sun and a Full Moon and a Half Moon and the swirling around.

Autism Grows Up.

Here is a documentary (Autism Grows Up) about how adults with Autism are coping in the workforce. Companies, Communities, and parents are finding ways to use the unique skills people with Autism have. On example from the film was a father who had a son who only wanted to shred paper. The father set up a paper shredding businesses and put his son's focus into a positive, productive purpose in his life. That is what I call working to someones strength.

Inspiration

 In my other life when I wear my artists hat sometimes I paint. One afternoon a child was drawing a number of pictures. One of these drawings she folded neatly and said, "This is for you." She walked over to the counter at the window and placed the drawing beside my bags and went off to her cubbie to store the other drawings.  I picked up the drawing and unfolded it. I called, "Thank-you," and carefully placed it in my bag. When I got home I looked at it again and was inspired by her composition and colour. This painting for me is the conversations Amelia and I had about our cats.

This is the child's drawing.

This is my painting.