Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in cincinnati, OH

Teachable Moments and a Book List

by Amy Mumper

July 07, 2009

Tuesday are meant to be "list days".  And, try as I might, I find it soo hard to simply make up a list!  Today in particular, I have an interesting story to tell.  It was one of those "teachable moments" you hear so much about, but I don't know yet if I handled it right.

Anyhow, my five year old was going to be dropped off for a science camp today and it was a packed house, let me say.  In addition, he noticed many children who were of Middle Eastern and Asian descent.  But, of course he didn't say that.  He said, "Mom, I noticed lots of kids there that probably spoke Spanish, like they're from Mexico."  Totally harmless, but a real learning opportunity, I thought.  Some of them surely did speak Spanish as their first language.  But, I happen to also know that many of them are bilingual, speaking both  English and Arabic, or English and Chinese.

Now, here's a unique situation:  all of my children take Spanish at school (how cool is that?  Two of them are in preschool!)  So, they all think they can speak fluent Spanish.  Whew.  This parenting gig is rough. 

But, in the end, we talked about how English is our first language, but not everyone's.  And, learning a second language is fun, and also takes lots of time.  Some kids are lucky that they learn two languages at home, or one at school and one at home.  I was able to remind them of the kids at the pool who speak Arabic with their family, but turn around and immediately speak English to us when they ask to borrow a ball.  (I find bilingual people totally fascinating!)  They remembered those children because their mothers all wear particular headdresses and are covered head to toe, except for their faces and hands.  I made a real point to say that even though they have differences from us (ie the language they speak at home), they are still Americans, like us.  My oldest child then said, "Like Joe, for example.  He's from Korea, but he lives here and is American."  Joe is in her class and was adopted from Korea.  Good example I thought.  And, ALL my kids LOVE Joe. 

I hope for them it was a conversation that broadened their horizons a little bit. 

Now, my list:  Book that broaden horizons about family and others.  You remember The Family Book by Todd Parr I mentioned yesterday?  That tops my list:

• The Family Book, by Todd Parr
• On the Day that You were Born, by Debra Frasier
• God Gave Us You, by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Laura J. Bryant
• Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, by Jamie Lee Curtis
• Families, by Susan Kuklin for a broad definition of family, including biracial and gay and lesbian families
• All Families are Special, by Norma Simon and Teresa Flavin

Teaching Charity to Children

by Amy Mumper

April 14, 2009

As promised last Tuesday, let’s take a look at ideas for teaching charity.  As a child didn’t you hear the phrase “There are children starving in China!” plenty?  That’s about the extent to which I thought about the circumstances of others.  But, as a parent three decades later, teaching charity is a priority for parents, yet seems difficult to achieve.  It seems so “out there”.   I’m hoping to bring it down to our level today – real, practical ideas.

First, let me say that I am inspired by my friends that have begun this process with their children.  I try to be sure my 7 year old takes her own donation to church.  We’ve made crafts and gone to nursing homes, and my daughter’s school does a great job with service projects.  But, my friends are impressive!  Here’s a sampling of ideas from them…

…one inspired 8 year old is committed to donating her own hair to “Wigs for Kids”.  That’s awesome.  Then, she decided to invite her friends to a “girls day out” with manicures and the like.  Her mother (my friend!) worked hard for a sponsor and found one.  That sponsor decided to donate ALL proceeds from the "girls day out" (manicures, etc.) to Wigs for Kids.  See, I told you the stories were inspiring!

…My niece and her friends hosted a birthday party for themselves and asked the guests to donate to a charity in lieu of gifts

...we have friends that started a charity to benefit the Newborn ICU that their son was in

.…Finally, consider the March for Babies.  I can only imagine the struggle of not having your child come home from the hospital with you, much less survive the emotional roller coaster that having a premie can be.  My dear friend Melanie and her husband Dan lost one of their triplets last year – baby Daniel -  when he came too soon.  They’re walking next weekend for their surviving triplets, sisters Anna and Emory.  Check out their website to hear the story of the girls’ amazing, committed parents who have found a remarkable way to honor all three of their children.

When parents have taken the extra step to introduce charity to their children, they are a wonderful example to us.  Thanks, guys, for setting the bar so high.  As for the rest of us – where shall we begin?

Teaching Children about Other Cultures -A Resolution We Should Keep

by Shannan Boyer

December 22, 2008

Guest Post by: Rashmi Turner, Founder of Global Wonders www.globalwonders.com This is a truly unique holiday season. With the state of the economy and world affairs, most of our gift selections and resolutions pertain to saving more and spending less. While it's easy to get caught up in the financial aspect of what's going on around us, as parents we are presented with a great opportunity  Read more...