I've always thrived on rhythm. On organization and predictability. Those of you that know me are probably chuckling already.
"If life were predictable, it would cease to be life and be without flavor" -Eleanor Roosevelt
I have this daughter. Three and a half this month. Her body thrives on predictability, much like mine. However, her eyes lighten with the excitement of the unknown and the unveiling of new concepts, activities, or timelines. She CRAVES knowledge, more than I ever did.
A friend of mine told me of a curriculum she'd bought for her similarly-aged son. A Year of Playing Skillfully, by Kathy Lee Eggers & Leslie M. Richards. A sister curriculum to a book called The Homegrown Preschooler. A calendar year of activities that engage the parts of her brain that encourage problem solving and logistical thinking. Each month comes with a theme & verse for her to memorize (fun fact: her dad speaks French and it'll be fun to watch her learn both languages).
In no way, shape, form, or on any planet am I prepared to create a monthly curriculum. So this enticed me and I bought it. Today was our first outdoor adventure.
It would be easy to simply say I enjoyed it. Being outside was wonderful (60 degrees in Michigan's November kind of wonderful), spending time active together felt good, and it passed time. Anyone who has had toddlers understands how important the passing of time constructively is to your own well-being as well as the integrity of your home.
What amazed me, and the heart of what this wordy post is getting at is that I saw her wheels turning- it lit the fire in her eyes, and past the joy it brought to my heart: it motivated me. There is more to learning than the benchmarks. I understand that for myself. But to intrigue her mind with something so simple as Nature Walk Bracelets (read: duct tape and yard stuff), and the descriptions of those items...It hit me with greater importance than I expected.
So I am here before you writing my goals out, to be read and accountable for on the days I feel less motivated. Friends, that light in her eyes... I want to stoke that fire (in as much as I'm able) to create a light so bright that she chases it's intellectual warmth with encouragement and the ability to fail and move forward knowing she's important, loved and supported for all of her lifetime.
Have a wonderful Thursday,
Calah