Self Development as a Parent

Posted by Donna Simmons

Steiner said there were three absolutes which every teacher must undertake as part of his essential task of being a teacher: to understand child development; to strive to understand the particular children one is working with; and to work on…

Planning For Next Year

Posted by Donna Simmons

So…. I thought I’d give you all a few tips on planning for the next year (and all you Southern Hemisphere readers you’ll just have to come back to this blog entry later in the year!). One of my main…

Isolation or Family?

Posted by Donna Simmons

In the past few weeks I have come across a variety of articles in a variety of magazine which have given me real pause for thought about what is happening in modern American – or perhaps Western – families. In…

One Step at a Time

Posted by Donna Simmons

One of the things that often strikes me in the course of consulting with clients or reading through what people say on my discussion forum (or my old yahoo group) is how by making just a few simple changes to…

Let’s Hear it for Hats!

Posted by Donna Simmons

It’s getting warmer outside – our subfreezing Wisconsin winter is passing into beautiful Spring days of sunshine and balmy temperatures. Neighbors I haven’t seen for months have emerged from their winter dens. And children are everywhere – on bikes and…

Helping Children When You Move House

Posted by Donna Simmons

Apparently, the average American family moves an average of 6 times over the course of the children’s growing up period. Everyone knows that people are always moving – you just settle in somewhere and your child’s best friend announces he’s…

Passive Learning

Posted by Donna Simmons

A concern that many people express is about children who do not seem to want to engage in play or who prefer to stand aside and to watch. As our society values a “get ahead” and assertive attitude toward life…

“Violent” Play

Posted by Donna Simmons

(the following comes from my stock of old posts I kept from the yahoo group I used to run…)   One thing that needs to be addressed is the issue of media violence. I think normal good guy bad guy…

Is She Ready to Read or Not?

Posted by Donna Simmons

Something that is very important to ponder is the difference between teaching a child who is not ready for something and allowing a strong impulse in a child to unfold. I would hope that no parent who is interested in…

Handwork and Crafts with Older Children

Posted by Donna Simmons

It seems that everywhere one looks there are wonderful on-line stores and home businesses selling all manner of lovely craft items for children – young children. I can’t think why, but there is a distinct lack of craft kits and…