We are wrapping up September and that means we have had a lot of free space to do lots of different things and visit places we want to explore. Our Homegrown Preschooler Curriculum goes month to month with ideas and activities and we have accomplished all by this week. So this last week of September, we took up some chances for other types of play!
Also, our week was met with October mid-week and therefore we began a new bible memory verse and catechism point. Those are:
1 Corinthians 14:40 - "But all things should be done decently and in order."
Catechism: God is our Creator. What else did He create? --- God created ALL things!
Monday-
We went hiking at Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. Hiking with your child is wildly beneficial - not just a fun time. I first began hiking with Ellie when she was 6 months old and I did this to find a way to do something I enjoyed and could bring my child into as well. Best decision ever! One benefit is the bond you make with your child out hiking. Even from the youngest age, they are snuggled up to you as you carry them, sleeping peacefully against your neck or chest. As they grow, they find challenges on the trail that teach them problem solving, decision making, self confidence, strengthen their bodies, minds, and social skills. We bond now by talking, making decisions together, celebrating each other's achievements, and discussing whatever is on her mind or heart. We read many many books on the trail when we pause for lunch. She even asks for her books now and reminds me to pack some. This trail, per the usual, she wanted to go barefoot. She requests to do so and I do encourage that as a barefoot baby (and adult) is growing so much in cognitive development, sensory growth, agility and balance, and strength. Hiking also is so educational because we learn with special apps and books and field guides how to identify creatures big and small, poisonous plant life and fungi, lichen from moss, types of trees, how to harvest, make ink from nature, feed ourselves in the wilderness, build sturdy structures and fires, understand snakes, catch fish, and respect our entire ecosystem. It all really goes a long way. Being outside is wildly beneficial for all humans especially children. So hiking is not just limited to "fun", it is also a wide window of opportunities for sooooo much development and growth both cognitively and physically and for bonding with your child, disconnecting from stressors, and enjoying one another. The opportunities to discuss God and praise and worship Him on the trails is endless as well. So if you can go hiking, even if its small, with your child, then GO! If you can't tell...I'm highly passionate about it haha!
Crabtree falls was stunning and the time and day with my girl was even better!
Tuesday -
A nice slow rainy morning was begun on the front porch with breakfast and bible time. We gardened together, and we had conversation and cuddled together in the rocker outside.
Ellie painted my standing mirror ($12 from Wal-Mart and I've had it like 15 years) with liquid watercolors using pipettes and salt. The salt clumped up absorbing the watercolors and it was very beautiful and Ellie got to watch her facial expressions and exploration in touch, spatial recognition, and sensory play. This took her attention for a while. She made a tree, jellyfish, a house, and many other things and she made up stories every time she created with the paint.
I woke up at 5 to get my day started. Exhausted yet excited, we were off to meet friends at the farm an hour away from home. Stewart Farms in Enoree, SC. The best pumpkin picking patch I've ever approached, for you locals. They actually hosted a "Homeschool Day" in which they were very organized and all the mamas were happy to show up with their babies. Read about the day, HERE They were busting at the seams yet because the farm is so large, nobody was ever on top of one another. I don't say that because of the pandemic, I say that because I'm introverted and dislike crowds! Haha! But, it was very well put on and there was so much to do! We did a corn maze, hay ride, saw the honey bees and farm animals, picked pumpkins where the variety was the best I've ever seen, even got to use clippers to cut them off the vine...I have never had that experience. Nice touch! The farm had no clue so many families would show up and they were so so so blessed by the crowd and that makes me happy to see. Especially this farm who is "rooted" in a deep faith and relationship with Jesus and you can see it all over their bountiful crops, friendly attitudes and faces, hospitality, and service to others. Their slogan is to cling to James 5:7. Where in scripture as part of the verse it states, "Consider the Farmer."
We left the farm and came home with our 44lbs of pumpkins, 2 mums, a gift for daddy, and a scarecrow for Ellie. Ellie has been wanting to decorate with scarecrows for fall so much! When we got home she put on play clothes and helped me make our fall display on the front porch, the garden, and on the mantel on the fireplace.
Then we began a pumpkin pie completely from scratch. It would be finished the next day. She ate roasted pumpkin and loved it! The kitchen was smelling good! We also roasted the seeds, of course! She loved this snack. Here is also a link to our recipe, HERE.
Thursday -
We attended our wonderful music and movement class at Kindermusik of Greenville. Then we came home to play outside, read books, and rest all before the evening activities...
This day was Oct. 1 and was also the HARVEST MOON!! So we went to a local town, Traveler's Rest for their, get this....Harvest Moon Farmer's Market! So so so cool and fun and perfect for our nature study to come on Friday of the Harvest Moon. We read books all week about the moon and the harvest moon and so she was mesmerized and excited to see it and be out late at a special festival! She got authentic Chinese food, made several little friends that she played so hard with that evening, listened to live music from local talent and then....THEN! We got in the car and saw the Harvest moon - so we hopped back at out and ran all over the perimeter of the farmer's market grounds chasing the moon for a better look! Ellie loved this thrill of jumping out of the car and running after the moon! After satisfied as could be with where we were, I decided we needed to fins a darker spot. So we ran back to the car, hopped in, buckled up, and drove to a close spot that I knew would be completely dark and clear. It was perfect! We soaked it in and then returned home to have truly sweet dreams. I later got to see through her words and excitement in the days following how awesome that moment was to her and it made my heart so glad. And guess what? The lesson stuck. Because we were not in a desk but literally running through fields in the dark excitedly having fun chasing knowledge! She has since then told me about the phases of the moon, what kind of moon she sees, and discussed its rotation. On Saturday morning, the moon was of course still very bright. We left out very early at dark to take Ellie to a special trip and as we left she screamed from the backseat, "The moon! Mommy the moon! It's right here! Look! Do you see it, mommy?" I did of course, yet, I ALSO saw Mars!! Teaching moment!!! Very cool! My sister and some friends helped me to identify it as Mars and then I got to teach her!
Forest School Day! As noted, we were studying the harvest moon. Since we saw the moon the night prior, we spent the day in our nature spot exploring more fall things, reading books, and just taking our time to relax and explore and play and nature journal. This peace was needed and so so good! We got to have some friends join us this day! 4 of Ellie's little friends and 2 of mine! It was so awesome having them. We collected fallen colorful leaves, slugs, lichen, moss, acorns, pinecones, and ferns. The kids ran about our special nature spot finding treasure, playing with one another and helping each other. Getting muddy and splashing in the creek bed along the way. We had lunch, read books, made a leaf collage and read about the different types of trees and leaves, and how/why their color changes. I read to Ellie these books and others with science lessons all week long to go with our theme. We read many moon books, and fall books. Throughout the week we also read poetry, observe art, and listen to classical music that all coincide with our weekly nature theme.
After the collages, the kids all played on the nature playground together before heading home for the day. Forest school is always my favorite part of the week. At home, Ellie painted leaf prints, pinecone prints, sweet gum ball prints and acorns from her treasure bucket. What incredible sensory and motor skills here!
I love busy weeks and I love slow quiet weeks. I love that Homeschooling allows me as the teacher to fit the needs of my daughter and read her and how she is doing and adjust when needed, pause on a subject or idea for as long as we want, expound upon it, and to soak in Jesus and to soak in time together. Talking together and reading books, hiking, and playing games is constantly showing me so many incredibly wonderful ways to learn and learn together and bond and grow together. I'm so thankful for this journey of which I never thought I'd take. Best decision ever!!
No comments:
Post a Comment