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I can’t believe I’m going to admit this, but t I can’t believe I’m going to admit this, but this whole Covid situation honestly have me feeling Gratitude and gratefulness like I’ve never felt before. Everyday that we’re “stuck” at home, I’m so thankful that we are safe and healthy. I’m thankful for my beautiful family and for extended family near and far who are all safe and cocooned in their respective homes. I’m thankful for friends who check in and exchange updates so it never feels like we’re doing this alone. I’m thankful for being here in this era where technology has made this entire situation so much more bearable, and has in fact brought families, friends and communities together and more closely connected than ever before. I’m thankful for governments, world leaders, world class healthcare, systems, processes and protocols. I’m thankful for time, extended forced time as a family post Easter break as my husband is required to take annual leave. I’m thankful he is still employed. I’m thankful that in such a time as this, I’m able to use my knowledge of play and learning to serve and support parents in this unprecedented time of our history where so many of you are juggling working from home and having children home from school. And most importantly, I’m thankful that in the midst of all these chaos, there is still always joy, hope, love and peace to be found. What are you grateful for today? ❤️
“My child is never interested in writing” My “My child is never interested in writing” My question to you then is this - Is there a reason for your child to be interested in writing? Because why should they be interested in writing if it doesn’t serve them any purpose? Why should they waste their time and brain capacity learning to do something when it’s not meaningful to them? Just because it’s a required “subject” at school? Just because the adults in their life tell them it’s important for them to learn it? Just because everybody HAS to learn it eventually? As this popular ancient saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. A horse will drink when it’s thirsty. Likewise it’s gonna be a very futile and possibly painful process for both parent and child when we try and MAKE them learn how to write. It might be ok for awhile and there might be some small successes initially as children do like exposure to new experiences. But in the long run, that fire for learning will fizzle out if we do not fan the flames for learning to occur. Children are intrinsically wired to WANT to learn everything that they need to know in order to be a functioning member of society. That means THEY will find a way to learn whatever they NEED to know. THEY will ASK the questions they have. THEY will SEEK the answers they require. Show them WHY and the learning will come. You won’t be able to stop it if you try. Do you agree? 😉 #authenticlearning #ecoursecomingsoon #watchthisspace ☺️
The idea of home at this point in time, depending The idea of home at this point in time, depending on your circumstances, brings to mind a myriad of emotions. Solitude, isolation Inconvenience, annoyance, restriction Lack - freedom, finances, control Overwhelm, fear, inability But home regardless of circumstance Will always represent safety and security And in light of the horrific effects of this pandemic, my hope and prayer for all of you reading this is no matter your circumstances, you’ll also experience the love, peace and comfort of 🏠 If you’re having a hard time mama, you are not alone ❤️ ____________________________________________ In other things, after the previous post about how we homeschool, some of you DMed to ask about the magnetic board/ stylus thing my child was playing with in one of the videos. This is the free play magnatab and there are others in the range including lower case letters, upper case letters and numbers. All 3 of my girls love this toy and play (and learn) with it in so many different ways. The older girls love to draw various shapes and patterns, and have also attempted to write letters and numbers on it. The 16mo on the other hand loves drawing on it and then popping all the magnet balls which is such a fabulous sensory activity for her. When my parents were here visiting recently, my dad even used it to leave a sweet message for my firstborn the day he left. Swipe to watch a couple of videos of it in use and watch the first video in particular to see how learning has occurred authentically through play and how my 4yo has used this to work on her understanding of the definition of a square. Magnatab from @barefoottoys
• How We Homeschool • My children PLAY ALL DA • How We Homeschool • My children PLAY ALL DAY and by play, I mean SELF-DIRECTED play. I don’t do any planned “learning through play” activities or follow any homeschool curriculum whatsoever because simply by playing all day, my children are learning all day. That said, I might on the rare occasion do a structured activity based on their current interest solely because I feel like it, it’s a bonding activity with my children and because I know they’ll enjoy it, not because I have a hidden agenda for them to learn something. I don’t actively SEEK TO TEACH them about letters, numbers, reading and writing, simply because numbers, letters and words are all around us and there are DAILY OPPORTUNITIES to learn about them in meaningful and authentic ways. It’s a huge myth that we need to teach before our kids will learn. Instead of teaching, I see my role as a facilitator, a guide and one who sets the stage for curious exploration, and self-directed learning to unfold. I curate good quality toys and make them available and accessible. I set up our play environment invitingly. I avail myself to play with them, answer their questions and direct them to resources that would be helpful for them in their quest to learn. I show them how numbers and words are relevant in our everyday life, and draw their attention to how they are present and used in our real world. I believe that if I can fan the flames of a child’s natural curiosity and desire to learn, as well as teach them skills like self-confidence in their abilities, persistence, problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking, they will be equipped with the skills that will set them up to learn and master whatever it is they need in their future. Any questions about how we homeschool? 📷: @yournaturallearner
New week, new drawing prompts! Parents often tell New week, new drawing prompts! Parents often tell me “my kids are definitely not as creative as yours”. The thing is, creativity isn’t being artistic or having an interest in art. It is a muscle that needs to be trained and with all things that need training, it takes time, practice and requires someone to show them how to work those muscles. So keep at it guys! 💪🏼🙌🏼 Your kids will get there! Mine have gotten so used to me doing these for them weekly that as I sit and draw them these days, they pull up a chair next to me at the dining table and draw their own prompts haha. Swipe to see the prompts Miss 2 drew for herself 😆 If you’re after more tips on how to get your children engaging with these prompts, check out the previous drawing prompts post two posts back! #storiesofplay_invitationtocreate
I have been wanting to write a post for the past w I have been wanting to write a post for the past week but everytime I attempt to put into words my thoughts, words just fail me. But with the developments here in Aus in the past 24 hours, and conversations I’ve had with a few treasured friends, plus the fact that I just dropped my dear mum off at the airport after having her here visiting for the past month, I have a few things to share. I’m feeling sad and alone. Sending my mum off after a month, having gotten used to the help and going back to looking after 3 kids under 4 alone is hard. Especially with the need to do social distancing and not being able to organise play dates. Saying goodbye to family who live so far away and not knowing when we’ll next see each other again is hard. I’m also feeling helpless. Friends who say “I wish I can just drop my kids off with you Jules” and “Every parent out there is in a state of overwhelm and panic, but not you Jules. This time right now wouldnt even affect you at all”. . But in the past 24 hours, I‘ve realised that I can remain sad, lonely and helpless (which helps no one whatsoever), or I can use my voice, my platform and my knowledge to DO SOMETHING and REACH OUT to make someone feel less alone. So here’s me showing up to tell you how I’m honestly feeling so you feel safe to share how you’re feeling mama. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s ok to feel it all. It’s ok to admit and say you’re feeling sad, lonely, overwhelmed, helpless or unsure. Sharing helps us all to realise that in this challenging time where we may be isolated and physically distant, we are definitely NOT ALONE and we’re all in this together. Mamas (as well as papas, and grandparents, and teachers and healthcare workers and business owners etc), how are YOU feeling? p.s Over in my Stories today, I’ll also be putting up a question box for you guys to ask me anything you’d like to know about homeschooling, working from home, having multiple aged children together at home etc. As a homeschool mum running a business from home, and having had 3 kids in 3 years, I want to do whatever I can to share my experiences and support you guys in this uncertain season as best as I can.
New drawing prompts for a new week! Some of you m New drawing prompts for a new week! Some of you mentioned that you have tried these with your children and they don’t seem to be interested in it or they just simply scribble randomly over it. Here are some quick tips for you to get them interested! 1) Think out of the box. Drawing prompts doesn’t mean they are only for drawing. I call them drawing prompts for easy reference. But they can most definitely be used as a cutting prompt, painting prompt, collage prompt etc. Pair up these prompts with interesting tools and materials. Washi tape, sticky tape, masking tape, catologues, cotton buds, toothpicks, crepe paper, cellophane paper, bubble wrap, aluminum foil etc. 2) Get in there and create yourself. Whenever my kids are working on a piece of artwork (and I find the time), I love to sit beside them and engage in some creating of my own. Now I’m not an artist or think I have artistic talent but I always love engaging in creative activities and I want to make sure that my kids in fact SEE me engaging in, valuing and ENJOYING creative activities for myself. I truly believe that “More is Caught rather than Taught”. If you want to raise a creative child, let them see you BE CREATIVE. If you want to raise a reader, let them see you READ. If you want to raise a prayer warrior, let them see you PRAY! If you want to raise a child who loves nature, GO OUTDOORS more and let them see YOU enjoying the beauty of mother nature yourself. 3) Most importantly, help your children to see that the value of being creative is so much more than creating a beautiful piece of artwork at the end. So as they create, comment on the process. For more ideas of exact words to say, check out a few posts back titled “What to Say to Your Children While They Play”. . Happy creating! #storiesofplay_invitationtocreate p.s Until this Wed 18 Mar, get my resource “31 Invitations to Create” for FREE using code: HOPE. Link in bio! 😚
[UPDATE!] FREE ebook extended til end Mar. Use cod [UPDATE!] FREE ebook extended til end Mar. Use code: HOPE In the midst of all the uncertainty and bad news circulating around these days, with parents nervous and stressed about school closures, I just wanted to do my part to spread a little joy, hope and positivity. So for 3 days only, I’m offering my 31 Invitations to Create ebook for FREE! Simply use the code: HOPE at checkout. Link in bio. Feel free to share this with anyone who might be after some activity ideas to do with their little ones 💛 Much love, Jules
The Secret to Engaged Independent Play... . Is ha The Secret to Engaged Independent Play... . Is having A PREPARED SPACE. It is the idea that the environment should be intentionally designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child. As adults, most of us would agree that we work best when our work space is open, uncluttered, filled with natural light, aesthetically pleasing, calming and not overly stimulating. Clear work spaces calm and inspire, whereas clutter tends to over-stimulate and cause stress. Since play is often seen as a child’s work, their “work” environment shouldn’t be any different. Their play space has the potential to inspire and evoke endless imaginations so let’s make sure that we set up the play environment to be one that inspires creativity and play as much as we possibly can. It’s not about stocking it with the latest hype or expensive toys, or making it look pretty for social media. It’s about putting out an INVITATION for children to be INSPIRED. Swipe to see some of the play spaces we’ve previously had. Just a note that most of these photos are taken immediately after a playspace reset which is why it looks more like a showroom than a playroom 😆 Now tell me, what kind of a work space inspires YOU? 👇🏼 And see if you can infuse that into your child’s work space :)
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  • Home
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    • Why Process Art/ Invitations to Create?
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