A Manner of Speaking by Bonnie Neugebauer
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A MANNER OF SPEAKING
www.ChildCareExchange.com
EXCHANGE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
A Manner of Speaking
Copyright © Exchange Press, Inc. Reprinted with permission from Exchange magazine. All rights reserved. Visit us at www.ChildCareExchange.com or call (800) 221-2864.
by Bonnie Neugebauer
It’s my birthday! Celebrate with me on February 5. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. It seems like #65 needs a plan, and I’ve been advised that you can do anything you want on your birthday! Many of you have thought of such creative ways to celebrate milestones — the fun of Luis Hernandez’s work party, the thoughtfulness of Margie Carter’s seaside meditations, Ann Pelo’s solstice observances, Jean Dugan’s philanthropic gift requests. Inspired by your wit, wisdom, and creativity, I’ve decided to ask for something extraordinary. The focus, of course, has to be on children. We’ve made them the focus of our lives — and, besides, who better to celebrate with? As a world society we are spending a great deal of energy and time trying to figure out what we should be doing for, to, about, in the interests of, and concerning children. Unfortunately, we seem to spend more time talking about what we should be doing than taking action. We’ve become trapped in the complexities of measuring, until we can hardly move in order to set in motion the things that need to happen. But when you strip away all the trimmings and agendas, it seems to me the most essential and precious thing we can do with children is to really be with them. Really with. Tuned in. Timed out. Focused. Engrossed. In the moment. Authentic. Side by side together. Connected. If we can figure out how to make this happen for children often, every day, most of the time; then, I believe, they will learn to read, understand their maths, create amazing art, be interested in many things, feel good about themselves, become skilled at problem solving, and know in their bones how to be part of society and the world. So I’m going to spend my birthday with children. I’m going to set aside some time to really be with children. Will you do the same in order to celebrate with me? And how will we spend that time? Reflecting on my experiences as family child care provider, early childhood teacher, grandmother, mother, babysitter, observer of children everywhere they can be found, here are ways of spending time with children that I think really matter: n Telling stories. Maybe I can find a child who likes to begin “Once upon a time . . . “ n Reading. Being read to, learning book behaviors, valuing story — these are the heart of literacy. n Building. Blocks can be made of anything and they can become anything we can imagine. n Making a mess. Mud, water, glue, glitter, pillows. Mixing things up — especially things that don’t ‘belong’ together. n Being silly. Roughhousing, laughing, rolling, pretending. Enjoying the feel of things. Feeling happiness. n Going outdoors. Wild. Free. Amazing discoveries everywhere. Endless adventure. Several weeks ago I began thinking about my birthday. I wanted it to be somehow extraordinary. And I came up with the most simple plan of all: be with children. Join me. Party hats recommended, but not required.
If you celebrate, please share with us your photos and stories of being with children! Email to [email protected].
A MANNER OF SPEAKING
www.ChildCareExchange.com
EXCHANGE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
A Manner of Speaking
Copyright © Exchange Press, Inc. Reprinted with permission from Exchange magazine. All rights reserved. Visit us at www.ChildCareExchange.com or call (800) 221-2864.
by Bonnie Neugebauer
It’s my birthday! Celebrate with me on February 5. I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. It seems like #65 needs a plan, and I’ve been advised that you can do anything you want on your birthday! Many of you have thought of such creative ways to celebrate milestones — the fun of Luis Hernandez’s work party, the thoughtfulness of Margie Carter’s seaside meditations, Ann Pelo’s solstice observances, Jean Dugan’s philanthropic gift requests. Inspired by your wit, wisdom, and creativity, I’ve decided to ask for something extraordinary. The focus, of course, has to be on children. We’ve made them the focus of our lives — and, besides, who better to celebrate with? As a world society we are spending a great deal of energy and time trying to figure out what we should be doing for, to, about, in the interests of, and concerning children. Unfortunately, we seem to spend more time talking about what we should be doing than taking action. We’ve become trapped in the complexities of measuring, until we can hardly move in order to set in motion the things that need to happen. But when you strip away all the trimmings and agendas, it seems to me the most essential and precious thing we can do with children is to really be with them. Really with. Tuned in. Timed out. Focused. Engrossed. In the moment. Authentic. Side by side together. Connected. If we can figure out how to make this happen for children often, every day, most of the time; then, I believe, they will learn to read, understand their maths, create amazing art, be interested in many things, feel good about themselves, become skilled at problem solving, and know in their bones how to be part of society and the world. So I’m going to spend my birthday with children. I’m going to set aside some time to really be with children. Will you do the same in order to celebrate with me? And how will we spend that time? Reflecting on my experiences as family child care provider, early childhood teacher, grandmother, mother, babysitter, observer of children everywhere they can be found, here are ways of spending time with children that I think really matter: n Telling stories. Maybe I can find a child who likes to begin “Once upon a time . . . “ n Reading. Being read to, learning book behaviors, valuing story — these are the heart of literacy. n Building. Blocks can be made of anything and they can become anything we can imagine. n Making a mess. Mud, water, glue, glitter, pillows. Mixing things up — especially things that don’t ‘belong’ together. n Being silly. Roughhousing, laughing, rolling, pretending. Enjoying the feel of things. Feeling happiness. n Going outdoors. Wild. Free. Amazing discoveries everywhere. Endless adventure. Several weeks ago I began thinking about my birthday. I wanted it to be somehow extraordinary. And I came up with the most simple plan of all: be with children. Join me. Party hats recommended, but not required.
If you celebrate, please share with us your photos and stories of being with children! Email to [email protected].
