Observation and assessment are a large part of a teacher's work, it allows us to create successul curriculum specific to a child's needs. Here's a great article from the President of the Montessori Foundation that can help you learn the fine art of observation.

Patricia



Learning to observe your child and follow her lead
by Tim Seldin
President, The Montessori Foundation
Chair, The International Montessori Council

As parents we often feel the need to direct our children, but Montessori believed we should follow them instead. How much time do you spend watching your child? I don't mean watching half-heartedly while you are doing something else. I mean focusing your attention completely on your child for an extended period.
There is no better way to begin using Montessori's principles in your home than by sitting back and observing what your child is looking at, what he says, and what he does. Children have so much to teach us about their needs and interests if we will only take the time to pay attention.
How to observe
You may want to keep a bound notebook or journal in which you can make notes and keep a record of your observations. Regularly set aside some time to observe you child. Sit somewhere comfortable close to him so that you can easily see and hear him and any other children with whom he is playing. Make notes every so often about what you see. Over time, your notes will form an interesting record of your child's behavior at different ages, as well as helping you to notice if a pattern of behavior is emerging at a particular time. Try to interpret what your child's behavior means. When you notice that your child displays an interest in something new, try, without overwhelming him, to nurture it. Think about ways to introduce some new activities that will appeal to your child's activities and achievements.
What to observe
Remember, the only thing that you can count on day after day with children is that, as they grow, their preferences, interests, and abilities change in unpredictable ways. Every time you observe your child, try to forget about previous experiences or perceptions and focus on what is really happening right now. While your child is playing, notice which toys he selects. How does he use them? Does he tend to play alone, or with others? Do you notice any patterns over time?
Watch how your child moves about the house. Does he move from place to place quietly, moving gracefully, or does he race about? Is there a room in your home that your child prefers to be in? What seems to attract him to that room?
When eating, note what your child most enjoys. Can he drink without spilling and use a fork and spoon appropriately and with good eye-hand coordination? How does your child behave at mealtimes? Is this a time when he likes to talk about his day?
As you observe, think twice before you interfere with your child's activity. Your goal in this exercise is to learn from what he is doing, not to keep jumping up and correcting him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
by Tim Seldin
President, The Montessori Foundation
Chair, The International Montessori Council

~*~*~*~*~
You are welcome to reprint this article on your website or in your newspaper or newsletter, provided that you reprint the entire article, including the complete byline with author's name and book title. Please also send a link or copy to elizabeth@pantley.com. Thank you.

Spring Cleaning Safety Tips

You've all heard me say it before - safety is the number one concern of parents! So, the people at the Illinois Poison Center have been nice enough to provide me some articles to share with you on this type of topic. Staying informed = staying safe.

Patricia



Safety First with Spring Cleaning

Out with the old and in with the new. Spring is the perfect time of year for cleaning out your home and that includes sorting through the household medicine supply--adding new prescriptions and eliminating those that have expired or are no longer needed. In 2008, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) handled 7,568 calls concerning accidental medication errors, which is why poison experts have developed tips for cleaning out and restocking household medicine supplies.
“Looking through your medications should be done twice a year," said Dr. Michael Wahl, managing medical director of the IPC. "Some expired drugs lose their potency which means you may not be getting the proper dosage of medication.”
Dr. Wahl recommends checking the date on the medicine bottle and properly discarding all drugs that are expired. If possible, take drugs to an approved medication disposal site. The Illinois Poison Center has developed medicine disposal guidelines for unused or expired medications, for more details or log onto the Illinois Poison Center Web site at www.illinoispoisoncenter.org.
All medicine cabinets should contain the following items from the Illinois Poison Center's first aid list:
· Current prescription and over-the-counter drugs
· Adhesive bandages of assorted sizes for minor cuts and scrapes
· Gauze pads for larger cuts and scrapes
· Adhesive tape to keep gauze in place
· Antibiotic ointment to disinfect and protect wounds from infection
· A digital thermometer (non mercury-based)
· Antihistamine for allergic reactions
· Hydrocortisone cream to relieve irritation from rashes
· Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain
· Insect repellent spray to protect from West Nile during the summer months
· Sunscreen with SPF protection
In addition to old or unused medication, scan your medicine storage to make sure you are keeping your family safe from old medical advice. That means getting rid of the following items:
· Syrup of ipecac - The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends that parents keep it in their homes.
· Mercury thermometers - If these thermometers break, they can expose your child to mercury and mercury vapors.
· Hydrogen peroxide - Many experts believe that hydrogen peroxide isn't any more helpful than regular soap and water when cleaning a simple wound. Hydrogen peroxide could damage healthy skin cells.
· Baby aspirin - If baby aspirin is part of your child's medicinal routine, it should be thrown out. Remember: you shouldn't usually give your child, or your teenager, aspirin because they may run the risk of developing Reye syndrome, a serious and often fatal disorder that affects the liver and brain, and is thought to be caused by the use of aspirin to treat flu-like illnesses and chickenpox.
There’s more to keeping your family safe than just sorting through the medicine supply. Common household items can also be a health threat. Each year, the IPC handles numerous calls involving toxic exposure to household cleaners, with products such as bleaches, disinfectants, floor and tile cleaners, automatic dishwasher detergent and glass cleaners, most commonly mentioned as the source of the poisoning. Frequently, potentially toxic exposures occurred because these products were not in their original containers, had been improperly used, or had been left open, unattended by an adult and in reach of a child.

Tips for poison proofing your home:

· Whenever you're using cleaning products, always read the product label first and use the product according to the label directions
· Keep all cleaning products in their original containers with original labels
· Store cleaning products out of sight, in locked cabinets
· Keep all household cleaning products and other poisonous products separated from food
· Never leave a cleaning product open and unattended
· When using cleaning products, work in well-ventilated areas
· Dispose of cleaning products according to the instructions on the label or at your community chemical waste drop-off site

These poison proofing tips also apply when cleaning garages and basements, which usually contain many potential hazards, such as: pesticides, weed killers, gasoline, oil and other supplies. Ninety percent of poisonings can be treated safely and effectively at home, by calling the IPC and providing the name of the poisonous substance and the approximate amount involved in the exposure. The Illinois Poison Center’s staff of pharmacists, physicians, nurses and poison information specialists has access to references which allows them to quickly determine the degree of toxicity or hazard and offer recommendations for managing the poisoning.

March is Illinois Poison Prevention Month. To learn more about poison prevention and to listen to the IPC's public service announcement go to www.illinoispoisoncenter.org.

If you suspect a poisoning, don’t wait until symptoms appear immediately call the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.