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Young Masters Little Wisdom Series Used in Los Angeles Public Schools

Explaining the violinLos Angeles, CA – Dream A World Education the educational non-profit arm which evolved from the music and books developed by Dream A World is using the Young Masters Little Wisdom series in public schools across Los Angeles to bring arts and values into underserved schools.

The books and music are used by classroom teachers to introduce students to each phase of the “Secrets of the Heart” residency program which teaches music, dance, theatre arts and visual arts to children in kindergarten. The program is delivered by professional Los Angeles based artists and involves parents of children throughout the project as they create vision boards which are shown gallery style at the program’s final culmination. The “dream boards” display the dreams and goals of both children and families and stimulate conversation about how friendship and a smile, kindness, imagination and gratitude, the “secrets of theheart” can be used to achieve our dreams.

Parent vision board 2

“Secrets of the Heart” is now in 10 schools across the Los Angeles area to bring arts educations to children that may not otherwise have opportunities to experience arts education. Dream A World Education is funded by the Herb Alpert Foundation, Weingart Foundation, Dwight Stuart Foundation, L.A. County Arts Commission, California Arts Council, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the 2nd District and additional foundations and private donors. Find out more about the important work Dream A World Education is doing in schools across Los Angeles. www.dreamaworldedu.org

Young Masters Little Wisdom books are used in Montessori Schools around the world.

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Behind the scenes with Todd Parr

Todd and Bully

Todd and Bully

In Dream A World’s exclusive “Behind The Scenes” find out how award-winning illustrator and author – Todd Parr has made his dreams come true.

1. Did you write stories when you were growing up? At school or as a hobby?

No, but I loved to draw.  I was always drawing or doing something creative.

 

2. When you were a child did you ever think you were going to be a writer when you grew up?

Never, but I did dream of being an artist.

 

3. If you didn’t write as a child, then when did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I started adding messages to my art in 1989, which eventually lead me to writing children’s books.

 

4. How do you choose the topics for your books?  What’s your age range?

I always try and pick topics that help kids feel good about themselves while learning about difference in everyone.  I also like to tackle some of the challenges that kids are faced with – like being afraid.  The age range is 3-6, 4-8 and adult. 🙂

 

5. What kinds of things inspire you to write?

Being able to make a difference in the world, in a bright, silly, fun way.

 

6. Where do you get your ideas?

A lot come from my childhood.

 

7. What gave you the idea for your very first book?

A Piece of my original art, “Be Who You Are.”

 

8. Have any of your books earned special recognition?

Yes, my most recent book “The Earth Book” won the 2011 Green Earth Book Award as well as the Parents Choice Award.  (Click here to see The Earth Book)

 

 

 

9. Have any of your stories been  inspired by real people or events?

Yes, me.

 

10.  Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?

My imagination only.

 

11. Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Yes, sometimes I get excited about two or three ideas and start them all at once.

 

12. Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?

It’s Okay To Be Different and Underwear Do’s And Don’ts.


13. What are you working on now?  When do you expect to start submitting it

to publishers?

I am working on a new book for 2012.  The book is about all things kids have to be thankful for.  My publisher already has this one and has given a first round of comments.

 

14. Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?  Where do you write?

No, I don’t set schedules for myself.  I create when I feel like it (Unless there is an urgent need)  I work in a remodeled garage I converted to my studio.

 

15. Do you do school visits, if so what question do children ask you most?

Yes, lots — the questions I get asked most are “Where is your dog Bully?” and Why don’t I put noses on the people in my books.”

 

16. Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?

Yes, lots – Here is a recent favorite.

“Todd —  I’m sure you hear this a lot, from parents all over the world, but thank you for your wonderful books.  My son is almost five and his father and I have been separated/divorced since he was two.  We have a very amicable relationship and live near each other and my son sees his dad several times a week — yet, recently, all of a sudden, my son is grappling a lot with how his family is *different* from other families and wondering why his mom and dad don’t live together.  We already had The Mommy and The Daddy Books — so I popped out today and got The Family Book.  Just reading it made me cry — it touches on everything I think he is thinking and feeling right now — I think it’s really going to make him feel good.  Thank you so much for your wonderful books.  They mean a lot to so many of us!!

Lillian”

 

17. Is there anything about yourself that you’d like to share – hobbies, where you were born, special talents other than writing/illustrating.

I like to cook, camp, ski and anything at the beach.  I was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  I lived in Chicago and Honolulu before settling in the Bay area.  The one other talent that comes to mind is a make I make the BEST macaroni and cheese.

THE END

Love,

TODD

The Peace Book

The Peace Book

Click here to check out The Peace Book and find other Todd Parr favorites recommended by Dream A World.

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Raising A Conscious Child – “The Practice Of Being” by Pattie Mercado – Youth Director

The Practice Of Being

As a parent of adult children ages 19 and 21 I have experienced the time of rebellion, questioned my effectiveness and skill at being a parent and I have experienced the unmatchable love of a parent for a child and experienced that love from my children. I have given my identity, my purpose and my self to being a parent and claimed my Self back again. Did I do it perfectly? Who knows? Was it worth it? Yes! Today, I find myself serving as mentor, teacher, friend and spiritual leader for children of all ages. There is a child in all of us to be nurtured, inspired and to learn from. It is my great joy to share the journey.

I like to focus my parenting classes and lessons on the parent rather than the child. There are many, many great books, programs and teachers to guide parents in using effective parenting tools with your child. My question is: “How is life for you as you “raise” these precious little people?” How is your life (as a parent) as your child mirrors your behavior, beliefs, attitudes and even habits back to you? Our children are our very best teacher because they give us the opportunity to look at ourselves, to experience how we are viewing the world and how we are participating in life! Sometimes that is a great big ugh! I do that, or a version of that?  Really? And sometimes it is Yes!  Life is beautiful and it shows!

Yes, our children are our greatest teacher and yet we have the very impressive task of raising them to be responsible, compassionate, contributing members of society.  The life of a parent becomes a series of lessons in self reflection, self honesty and self responsibility. All practices that we model for our children and thus out of our own experience we teach.

What is this journey of life and parenthood but a time of self-discovery?  As a parent, from that time (planned or a surprise), of finding out we will be a parent it is a time of immediate questions:  what kind of parent will I be? How will my kid turn out? What preschool, public or private school, sports, college, career do I choose? What is best? And, how will I know?

There is one question that has served me well and that many parents have successfully utilized. It is the practice of being. When we ask ourselves: “how do I want to be” instead of “what do I want to do and how will I do it” we work from the inside out. Allowing the perfect action, the supportive words, the empowering response to be revealed. It is a practice to embrace and to become skilled at until it becomes a habit. Do I want to be suppressive? Do I want to be doubtful, do I want to judge?  Will that empower me or my child? Will it harm or sustain our relationship? Do I want to be loving, kind, compassionate, a good listener, a sounding board……  Asking the being question might look like being creative before we step into our child’s room to wake them up for the fifth time that morning and singing, or describing a perfect day or telling them all the reasons we love them, or…… What if you know how you want to be before telling them no? No, they cannot go to the party after all because you have to work? If we can pause long enough to ask ourselves “how do I want to be” before responding to the rolling eyes, the turned back, or sarcastic attitude what will the relationship look like?  Breathing and remembering our role as parent before looking at the report card that you already know is less than stellar and being the listener we might discover a challenge, a question, a fear that our child had not shared.

We want our children to be kind, be happy, be sincere, be themselves, be proud, be successful, and be the best they can be.  Life is about being. How do you want to be as a parent? What will you model for your children? Life is lived from the inside out. When we know how we want to be the doing is revealed.

As a parent, I encourage you to be yourself. You know your answers, you know your challenges, and you know your strengths… I know who you are is more than enough!

Pattie Mercado

About Pattie Mercado

“Let our children be seen and heard” is the motto of Pattie Mercado Youth Director and Practitioner at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley. With an infectious and creative energy that inspires and motivates, Pattie is consistently retained for mentoring youth and family programs all over the country and is passionate about empowering the family experience.  A volunteer with youth and parents for more than twenty years Pattie draws on her experiences volunteering and working in California public schools, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, ten years of producing a summer co-op day camp and is a certified instructor recognized by the International Network for Children and Families. Pattie brings practical insight to her work with children, parents and volunteers.

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Raising A Conscious Child – “The Basics” by Dr. Gustavo H. Vintas

Gustavo H. Vintas, M.D. is a practicing psychiatrist and child psychiatrist in Beverly Hills, California.  Here he shares his thoughts on what it takes to raise a conscientious child.  Tips for the conscious parent:

 

Raising A Conscientious Child – The Basics

Having a child is easy. Raising a child takes responsibility.  Raising a conscientious child requires way more effort, in particular, a conscientious parent (biological or not) who is conscientious of his or her own needs and growth as a person.

A parent teaches by example. Where one is heading is essential, however the departure is primordial, including preparation and readiness as a future parent, and pre and post-natal care.


To Be And To Have

  • Trust – joy – fun – hope – self-esteem
  • Respect for life, self, and the other
  • Freedom – play  – boundaries – limits
  • Love  – respect – warmth  – protection – nutrition  – exercise


Body, Mind & Spirit

  • The Body  – is a perfect, magnificent, delicate, fragile vehicle throughout one’s life, requiring nutritious fuel-gasoline, with regular check-ups.
  • The Mind – Oedipal and pre-Oedipal periods do influence the direction of a child’s mental Health.  In other words, the nature and quality of the relationship of those under the same roof influences the thinking, feeling mind.
  • The Spirit  – requires pause – reflection – silence at least, for a couple of minutes a week.  Together, leading the child into experiencing quietness, noticing one’s breath coming in and out.

 

Recognition

  • Recognition of the elements of nature: earth – air – water – fire
  • Appreciation – gratefulness –  compassion – kindness
  • Attitude – boredom – loss

 

Perception

  • Looking at things from different angles – points of view.
  • Opportunity to express through emotions, conflict, imagination and creativity without harming the self or the other.

 

Living under the same roof as a team

  • Autonomy,  individuation, togetherness, collaboration, contribution
  • Tasks, duties, discipline
  • Identification, ties
  • Tolerance.

 

Thought – Emotion – Reaction – Behavior

  • Awareness of red flags/red lights.
  • Choices = consequences.
  • Drama belongs on the stage.

 

Use of Time constructively

  • Knowing that a full day has exactly 24 hours, and ends forever at midnight.
  • Knowing how to read the time on a clock/watch.
  • Knowing the time classes start and finish, and how long is spent at school.

Lessons

  • Practice. Practice. Practice.
  • Any game or sport can only be played by its rules.
  • Watch your step.
  • Life is a one-way ticket trip, therefore…it’s important to pay attention to the itinerary.


Gustavo H. Vintas, M.D. is certified ­in Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Buenos Aires, McGill, Cornell Universities

Dr. Vintas  practices in Beverly Hills, California

How are you reinforcing any of these principles of living with your children? We’d like to know.  Please share your thoughts.

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Montessori Children’s House introduces children to their “Magic Eye”

How do children really learn what it means to have an imagination? 

Moorsetown, New Jersey – Stephanie Pelly introduced Montessori students to their “Magic Eye” this past week.  Children naturally use their “magic eye”, their imagination, but do they really understand the value of this important gift that’s always available to them?  The Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program works to connect children with concepts like imagination.

Stephanie Pelly, co-creator of this curriculum, is facilitating the Discovery program at Montessori Children’s House where this week she focused on empowering children to use their own imagination in a variety of ways. The children start with the Young Masters Pledge, then read and listen to the the story from Young Masters: The Magic Eye.  Next they are guided through several right brain activities as they creatively express themselves, verbalizing all that they’re seeing in their mind’s eye.

Stephanie and boy with the Magic CircleThey practice being storytellers as they examine pictures of different people from magazine cut-outs. They use “The Magic Circle”, a hula hoop, to pretend they’re fishing, eating a bowl of ice cream or building a sand castle. One boy even sees a train moving around in circles on a track. They sit inside “The Magic Circle” and pretend they’re somewhere else.  One child is  in a big city naming all the vehicles he sees, one sits at home petting her dog. One little boy even sits on the Easter Bunny’s lap. What does the Bunny look like, what color is he or she? What fun!

 The song  Circle Of Creation, from “The Magic Eye” CD is played as they pass the “earth ball.” When they song lyric says “tell me what you see,” the children name different animals they see on the globe.

Stephanie then makes the connection as she explains  to the children that they can use their imagination any time.  It’s always available to them, whether they’re laying in bed and feel afraid of the dark or feel bored and are looking for a way to entertain themselves. They can use their imagination to decide what color socks to wear in the morning or to solve a problem…and they can exercise their imaginations by playing these games with another friend or by themselves.  A powerful concept that can later translate into children understanding how their imagination can be used to create their future.

Stephanie and three childrenConnecting children to the gifts that come natural to them are what the Discovery Program is all about.  Helping them discover who they are and what makes them unique.  Encouraging them as their individual characteristics and personalities emerge. This is the gift that teachers like Stephanie Pelly give to children.  

Click on the links below to view videos from the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program from Unit 2 of
The Magic Eye

Young Masters: Circle of Creation

Young Masters: The Magic Eye – Learning How You Make A Difference

Stay tuned for the next unit – Young Masters: The Hidden Treasure as the children at Montessori Children’s House discover gratitude and why it’s so important to be thankful.

The Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Curriculum for Montessori and other versions of this curriculum are available right  now for free.  Click below to take advantage of this offer so you can share this gift to the children in your life.

Young Masters Little Wisdom Curriculum


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Creativity Behind The Scenes with Etan Boritzer, best-selling children’s author

Etan Boritzer is the best-selling author of the WHAT IS children’s book series.  Find out about his creative process and how he makes his dreams come true.

Visit Etan Boritzer and Bunny Hull on April 30-May 1st at the L.A. Times Book Festival at UCS, Booth #543.

Etan Boritzer is the best-selling author of the What is? series of children’s books on character education and difficult topics. Currently there are 12 books in the series. His books are available in any bookstore in the US, and they are distributed and sold globally wherever English is spoken (UK, Canada, AU, NZ, South Africa, Singapore, etc). To date, Etan’s books have been translated into 13 languages.  Etan also teaches yoga and meditation in Los Angeles and guest teaches at various studios around the US.

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I write books for children, not children’s books. Important difference, right? Children are smart people, only they are smaller than adults and not as experienced on this plane as adults. Some children though are much smarter than adults. Krishnamurti used to say that the highest form of intelligence is compassion. Most children are compassionate, unless some adult has robbed them early on of their innate goodness. Anyway, when we write for children, why not direct intelligent thoughts to them? That way they can start early to develop the critical thinking skills needed to navigate through the dangerous waters of today’s crazy world.

Rev. Michael Beckwith says that Americans are the most over-entertained, under-educated people in the world. The books I write for children are educational but I try to make them entertaining too, particularly with the help of my very creative illustrator Jeff Vernon. I mean, there is nothing wrong with kids being kids, having fun and playing, etc but really, there are a lot of parents living out their missed childhoods through their children, keeping them within a limited intellectual sphere. The average American family buys 5 books a year. Come on, when are we going to really get serious about early childhood education, starting in the home? You parents who are reading this blog are not the average American parents. You buy books or get them from the library, read with the kids before bedtime, you care about your kids’ education. Thanks for being serious.

Hmmm, the journalist’s 5 W’s… I am talking mostly about why. Why I write the books. All of the above, but also that I am working from Purpose (yes, capital P). I mean, the Purpose of a evolving a wholesome and beautiful earth plane that we find ourselves inhabiting this lifetime. I think we can agree that in order to create Beauty, Generosity, Art, Respect, Peace, Health, etc (all in caps too) within ourselves and our children, and with our global neighbors, the key is knowledge, understanding, insight and other names for education. The Buddha advises us “to know things as they are.” KNOWING! That’s the why, why I write the books, to give children the tools needed to know things as they are.

How do I work? Well, I really don’t want the books to be ‘Etan’s opinions’ or to ‘teach.’ I really try to keep the didacticism or moralizing out of my books. Maria Montessori said, “Don’t teach, allow the child to learn.” She also said “Get out of the child’s way!” So, my books are filled with questions. Sometimes a Mom or teacher will say, “I see a lot of questions. Don’t you give any answers?” OK, sometimes I use the word “maybe” to suggest an answer but I am really more interested in the child and adult engaging in the discussion on the difficult topics I cover and letting the child reason out her own conclusions. Maybe the adult disagrees and a meaningful discussion can ensue.

What Is MoneyAnother part of how I work, I am very receptive to other people suggesting titles for the series, so that these books are not necessarily all my books. For instance, What is Money? was suggested by a Mom I was sitting next to on an airplane pointing to her 8 year old daughter and telling me I should write a book about money because her daughter was completely confused about the concepts of money. What is a Friend? was suggested by a teacher explaining to me the difficulties involved in the early socialization process of children. Our new title What is a Family? was suggested by a friend who is Exec Director of a family counseling center, pointing out all the diverse families in our society today. I mean, why should I hold on to a typical author’s conceit that these are my books. Again, back to the why. Why I write the books is not about me.

Once I get started with a title, I do a lot of research. I read through articles and books about let’s say about families; that is, I do anthropological research, historical, contemporary, political, religious research, etc on families. I slop through a few versions of the standard 16 pages of text in each of the books in our series. Then, I have different experts, parents, teachers or child-life professionals in the subject area I am writing review the text, make suggestions as to what I missed with content, edits, even typos. I stopped using a “real” editor a long time ago as this process of editing the books with experts is much more comprehensive. Also, again, these don’t have to be my books. When What is Peace? was released a Mom pointed out a serious conceptual flaw in the text that I had to agree was definitely not right for our kids. In the next printing, I changed the offending wordage. Hey, when you are an independent publisher as I am, you can do that!

I work out the concepts for the illustrations with my illustrator, we go through a few sketches, then a line drawing, then the watercolor painting. I owned an art gallery in a previous lifetime, so I know quite a bit abut art. The paintings sometimes have fun and subtle elements that the kids pick up. The books always have surreptitious messages both visually and conceptually for the adults too.

Oh yeah, another reason why I write the books is that I get to read them to many little kids in schools, libraries and hospitals—all of which is a lot of fun! I get to meet my little readers at book fairs and festivals and to have serious, impromptu discussions with them there also. Writing the books allows me to go to conferences and meet with teachers and principals and to understand kid issues. My only regret in meeting all the nice Moms at the various venues I go to with the books is that their husbands are mostly missing from the educational activities of the children. That should be corrected, Moms!

Sometimes I write the books on the beach in Marina del Rey, CA in front of my house. Sometimes I write them at home or in a café, or on a plane. I am not one of these sensitive writers with a routine who needs a consistent place to sit and write. Actually, it’s better on a writer’s back to stand with your computer say, on a kitchen counter, and not put so much pressure on the lower spine discs sitting for hours on a chair. Anyway, enough about me. Let me just conclude by saying that writing books for kids is a great day job!

To learn more about Etan’s books or make a purchase click here to visit Amazon or www.veronicalanebooks.com.

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Raising A Conscious Child – Charlotte Sherman explores “The Conscious Life”

Charlotte Sherman has brought an understanding of the arts to hundreds of thousands of children and adults.  She is a mother, grandmother, artist, art curator and director of the Heritage Gallery representing the art of Charles White, David Alfaro Siqueiros, William Gropper and many others.


Charlotte has spent a life in the arts and on the trails of the Santa Monica Mountains learning how to lead the conscious life. Here is a taste of her collected wisdom as she sheds her light and her thoughts on what it takes to raise a conscious child.


THE CONSCIOUS LIFE

It is the child that brings to us knowledge of what it is to see, believe and embrace. As a parent and an art teacher, I have learned so much about life and creativity.  I find that what is often sought is to open our non-judgmental view of life.

Children are born with the ability to know and use each moment.  From birth on the baby knows how to grasp the light, know the delight of the movement of shadows, the sound of music or the poetry heard from the parent. Miro, the French artist is quoted as saying, “It takes an entire life to come back to that childlike vision.”  We do have the choice of seeing each sunrise as the first one and to rejoice in it.  The flowers and trees have a voice to speak with us.  Animals have the ability to share their intuitive wisdom, to teach us the glory of each moment.

In learning with our children the magic of art, I have found that the creative impulse is there for all. What we seek is the open accepting of the ambience to let it flow. There are no set parameters.

We as parents and teachers have the opportunity to open the doors of perception for the growing minds to books, poetry, art and music.  It is from this early period in their lives that the wonder of creativity will move them through their entire lives.

Life presents us with great gifts.  These gifts of life only need be acknowledged and shared.  Each of us has the wisdom with open hearts to give this wonderChild with friendship chain. to children or even accept it from them with great joy.  And in giving, also we receive it. We are surrounded with beauty, richness and lightness that exist for all.

Great truths are there, we only need to accept them. These truths are manifested in all that is about us.  The sun, the moon and the stars share their light as well as each blossom, blade of grass and drop of water, gives out its essence.  We have the choice to live in the eternal presence.

The simplicity of the truth may walk by our side, all of our lives, if we choose to acknowledge it.

In the words of the Persian poet, Jalal-uddin Rumi, “Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment. Cleverness is mere opinion, bewilderment is in intuition.”

This awe of life, can release us from the burdens that are so frequently borne. It may mean only stepping out of ourselves for the split second.  There are so many men and women who are there to show us the vision. This wisdom has always been available to grasp. Meister Eckhart, in simple terms, “Up then, noble soul!  Put on thy jumping shoes which are intellect and love and overleap the worship of thy mental powers, overleap thine understanding and spring into the heart of God, into his hiddenness where thou are hidden from all creatures.

This presence has the ability to spread love, compassion, caring and healing.  It so simple, as in the best of life, that “which cannot be bought or sold”, but always shared. If we live with this spirit, we need only reach out with our hearts, our children will know.

About Charlotte Sherman:

Mother, artist, teacher, museum curator and gallery director for Heritage Gallery.  The Heritage Gallery represents African American artists such as Charles White,Margaret Burroughs, James McMillan, Ernie Barnes, and William Pajaud; Social Realist artists such as William Gropper; Latin American, Hispanic, and Mexican American artists such as Carlos Almaraz and David Alfaro Siqueiros; Californian artists such asMichael Shankman, and additional Modern and Contemporary artists from around the world, to name just a few.

Charlotte has lived and is working  in Los Angeles since quite early in the 20th century. She speaks as a parent, having shared much of the beauty of art, music, poetry and philosophy with three children who are very creative –  two are novelists and one a musician.

“Life is good and we share and give love.”

Visit Charlotte’s Heritage Gallery by clicking here.

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What is The Hidden Treasure? Montessori kids find out at New Jersey Montessori School

Moorestown, New Jersey –  Montessori Children’s House continues the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Curriculum after spring break as the children enter unit three to discover  The Hidden Treasure – gratitude.   As usual things kick off with the Young Master’s pledge,  “I promise to use my gifts everyday….”  After reading  The Hidden Treasure, children discuss all the different things our characters, Phylos and Butaan, are grateful for.  The children are then directed to close their eyes for a few moments and think about what they are grateful for.  Each child puts a little heart inside a pinata treasure chest as they claim the things or people for which they’re grateful –  family, friends, school, the beach, sunshine and trees.  The list goes on as they explore what’s important in each of their lives.

The children then learn about a very special gift.  Each child is asked to lift the top and look inside a beautifully wrapped gift box to discover the greatestStephanie Pelly and The Hidden Treasure giftof all.  What could it be?  “It’s not something that can be bought in a store,” said  class facilitator Stephanie Pelly.  They are each asked to open the box and look inside.  “Don’t tell anyone what it is,” Stephanie says, “wait for each person to have a turn.”   Each child opens the box and peeks inside only to see their own reflection in a mirror placed at the bottom of the box.  A big smile appears each time a child realizes the greatest gift  is – them.  Beautiful,  unique, special – them. Once everyone has a turn looking inside the box they place their hands on their hearts and say, I AM A GIFT, an affirmation of self-realization and acceptance of their own intrinsic value.

The greatest gift

Next in the center of the circle a gift box is placed and Stephanie tells the children she’s going to use her imagination and give each child a gift.   They won’t be able to see it but if they use their imagination they’ll know what the gift was.  Each child accepts a gift according to their own imagination.  What fun!
The day’s lesson ends by playing a game and singing the song, Circle of Appreciation.  When the lyric says “point to the one you’re thankful for,” each child points to their friends and says “I’m thankful for you.”
One child remarks, “I like the way each book ends with “thank you for being here.”   Another little boy confesses to his teacher “I love Tuesdays.” When he was asked why he said “because Miss Stephanie comes on Tuesdays to share the YOUNG MASTERS program.”  These children are indeed thankful for Miss Stephanie.  What are you thankful for?  And what gifts are you accepting for yourself?
Stay tuned for next week when this Montessori class discovers  a new secret of the heart – courage!
See video clips of the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery program:
Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Curriculum is available now for free.  Find out more by clicking here.
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Raising A Conscious Child – Should I Consider Homeschooling? By Top L.A. Tutor, Tim Hall

by Tim Hall

There’s no question that more and more people are becoming concerned with the quality of our education system in the United States. We, as a nation, have slipped to an “average” ranking among 30+ countries in reading, math and science. And while politicians debate when and how much money to cut from their state’s education budget parents are left wondering how to give their children the proper education they deserve.

For some parents, private schools or charter schools offer a nice alternative to the public system. However there is a growing alternative for parents who wish to educate their children outside of the traditional “brick and mortar” school setting. These parents are choosing to home-school their children.

There are many reasons to home-school your child. Perhaps you want to instill your religious, cultural and moral values into the way your child learns. Another reason is that you want to know your child is in a safe learning environment. (By the way, when did we, as a society, say it was OK to install metal detectors in schools?) And yet another reason could be related to the social settings you want your child in. As varied as the reasons are almost every parent would agree that they simply want a better education for their children.

Homeschooling can be an exhilarating experience for both parent and child. Bonds can strengthen. Relationships can improve. Discovering the worldBoy in the blue shirt together can be life-changing – for both parent and child. The only requirements are patience and a sincere desire to learn. You don’t have to be a credentialed teacher to home-school your child. But you must have the time and willingness to plan, explore, teach, tutor and adjust to your child’s individual learning style if this experience is going to be successful.

The best part of homeschooling is that there is no “typical” day. You can spend part of the day with a textbook; or you could spend it at the local park. You may want to utilize a specific curriculum or design your own. That’s the beauty of home-schooling – each day can be a unique learning experience. Imagine going to a local farm to learn how vegetables grow (instead of just reading about it in a textbook) or taking a hike in the hills to discover all the new plants you’ve just read about!

There are different approaches to homeschooling – and many parents find a combination of techniques works best. For example, utilizing a math book to learn how to multiply and divide can be enhanced with a trip to that local farm to see how many tomatoes can be planted in 5 rows of soil.  Whether you study one subject a day or several at a time, home-schooling offers parents and children the opportunity to make it come alive!

Home-schooling is on the rise! In 2010 it is estimated that there were about 2 million children who considered themselves to be home-schooled. While it can be a truly rewarding experience for both student and parent it is not something to be considered lightly. As with any major life decision this topic needs the time and attention it deserves if it’s going to be successful.

Each state has their own laws concerning education and homeschooling your child. You should check with your state’s legal requirements before you consider taking your child out of public school in order to home school. There are several websites available to help guide you – just Google “homeschooling laws” and you should be able to find several sites with good information. Remember, you must follow your state’s law as it relates to homeschooling.

Once you’ve figured out the legal requirements it’s time to decide what kind of curriculum to follow. Again, there are many sources available to help you with the actual materials you’ll need. You know your child better than anyone else. Ask yourself what materials will make this learning experience the best for my child? Do I need textbooks? Do I need videos? Can I utilize what I already have access to (my home, my office, my local library, etc.)?

When you have your materials together then what? Just begin teaching and learning together! Remember, there is no “typical” day – make each day a unique experience. While it’s important to have a plan don’t be surprised if you don’t follow it exactly each day.  And don’t elevate yourself to the position of “superior know-it-all teacher.” Even the best teacher doesn’t know everything about everything. You’ll need the help of other people with knowledge and expertise you just don’t have. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Remember you are not alone in this experience. There are also support groups available forJoyful blonde boy parents new to homeschooling. You’ll find you’re not alone in the home-schooling arena – whether you’re just starting out or in your 5th year of doing it.

It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you, personally, are making a difference in someone’s life. To see a child connect with a subject, to have that “ah-ha!”moment together is life-changing. Education is the key that unlocks everyone’s possibilities. If you’re one of the growing numbers of concerned parents seeking another alternative to the public education system, home-schooling may be the choice for you. It’s not a decision to be made lightly as it will require time, patience and the desire to truly learn about the world around you. But if you’re ready for it, a new experience in education is waiting for you!

Tim Hall lives in Los Angeles and is a tutor who works with children and students of all ages (1st – 12th grade). He currently homeschools students in Language Arts and Math. He is CBEST certified and is pursuing his Math Education degree and credentials. For more information on Tim or homeschooling you may contact him at halltj@sbcglobal.net.

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Creativity Behind The Scenes with author Patrice Karst

We recently asked well-known children’s author Patrice Karst about her creative process and how she’s made her dreams come true.

Writing started early for me. English was always my favorite subject and reading always a lifelong pleasure. I remember the thrill of lying in bed as a girl for hours under the blankets with books that took me all over the world and beyond. When I was twelve years old, I wrote my first short story, by sixteen I wrote song lyrics and moody deep poetry expressing my teenage angst. And by age thirty, my journal-keeping obsession had already resulted in boxes full of filled journals chronicling my strange particular little journey on the strange wild plane we call home. I wrote in the beginning to try to make sense out of the seeming chaos that I was witnessing in my world. Then I kept writing for my life. Writing was just always my “artistic cocktail” of choice. That said, I never planned on writing a book let alone many of them!

Creativity for me is that sublime moment when muse meets my fingers on the keyboard or pen on paper. It is that moment when whatever it is that wants to be written – demands it to be so and takes over my hands. It helps at those moments to go along willingly rather than kicking and screaming.

I find that stories, books come and tell me that they want to be written and then simply tell me to start writing!

The natural merging of my spiritual path and my books has always been what keeps my message pure and seems to upon reflection always have the same theme. Love, oneness, unity, peace.

The Invisible String

The Invisible String came through as I comforted my son when he was so sad at my leaving him at pre-school. I simply told him what was obvious to me that we were always connected by an Invisible String made out of love. This simple concept gave Eli a tangible understand of our connection and that we still had that connection despite time or distance. This sweet story brought him (and then all his friends who begged to hear it also) immense comfort and a realization that they would never ever ever have to feel alone. That the whole world was connected by Invisible Strings.

Each book has it’s own rhyme and reason and method of birth. I wish I was one of those disciplined professionals that sit at their desk and pound out page after page 3 hours a day 5 days a week. It just doesn’t work like that for me.

I can skip two years before another book and then be in a writing frenzy for months.

When all is said and done, I cannot not write what comes to me if it speaks to my heart strongly enough. I can write at those times till all hours of the night with no pain involved at all. Yet when I sit down and try to write on demand, it does not feel as organic at all, that is not to say that I can’t write well if I push myself enough. It’s just that- who wants to push- right?

So lazy little writer that I am, I continue to wait for projects to “knock me upside the head” before I sit down and do the deal- ah! but when I do, the rewards are so sweet.

The Smile That Went Around The World by Patrice KarstThe Smile that Went Around the World came again one morning many years ago when Eli and I came upon a group of homeless folk with a sign saying that they were hungry. Something happened that day and another book was given life.

The Single Mother’s Survival Guide was my gift to all my sister single moms to let them know that I had their back and I really knew what they were going through.

God Made Easy was born one November 11,1995 morning out of a dream where I awoke with the title (saw the words hovering in the air!). I wrote that book in one hour and sold it 3 weeks later and thus a published author, I became. Who knew? Sixteen years later I still ache for that feeling when a project starts bubbling up deep inside and demands to be written!

That really is what it is for me- the writing thing. I write what must be said. I write for love, I write for healing. I write to understand and I write to be understood. I write for my life.

Sometimes I am not sure if I write at all or if I am being written. Either way, I am blessed to do what I do. Whether my children’s books or my “grown up” stuff, my voice, my plea seems to always be the same and I can sum it up simply just like this.

Just Love!

Patrice Karst

Patrice Karst is the author of the internationally best selling books God Made Easy, The Single Mother’s Survival Guide and her children’s books, The Invisible String and The Smile that Went Around the World She has written for and been featured in various magazines including, Time, Woman’s Day, and Science of Mind among many others.

To find out more about or purchase books by Patrice Karst on Amazon.com, please click here.