Diwali

Bold Colors, Warm Hugs, Enchanting Music, Endless Dancing.
Best word to sum it up?

Happiness.
Pure Happiness.

Baby Arjun made his grand debut too.

Thank you, Anika, for bringing a slice of your culture (and your beautiful family) to Terra Luz.






Lovely Photos courtesy of Masi Tanya

Will post more soon...

Liz Garton Scanlon Visits Terra Luz

I'm behind on uploading photos, but wanted to get these up next. Was going to blog about the experience, however, Liz already did, and thought you would enjoy reading her poetic words instead. Linky HERE.

And, if you don't already know, Liz's book has been nominated for inclusion in this year's Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories! That's huge! This book NEEDS to be in a box of Cheerios. All The World is now in first place, but keep the votes coming. It's tight. You can vote once per day through October 30th.

So, go VOTE. And send to all your peeps!

:)

Ack! Oy! ...

...or as us Latinas say, "AY!"

It was brought to my attention that Wednesday, December 2nd will fall during one of the meetings for the Parenting for a Peaceful World book study some of us are participating in at Terra Luz.

So, we gotta pick another day to have our fabulous Parent Potluck.

How about Tuesday, December 1st? Does that works for families??

Apologies about the flip flopping. I swear, I need a dedicated director to oversee the admin stuff. ;)

We have some great things coming together for Parent Night! Silent Auction items are being offered (but we still need more!!), and Sophia's big brother, Domi is going to be our guest musician on the baby grand piano! If we end up with several silent auction items, I'm happy to open it up to the "public" (i.e. friends and family of Terra Luz members).

Whatcha think?

Individual Photos?

Photo by Carmen Gaudin

In addition to our group class photos, how about individual photos of your child? I've been asked, and I'm happy to offer this.

If you want your child's photo taken, individual picture day will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd and Wednesday, November 4th (if your child is not in attendance on those days, I'll capture theirs on Friday, November 6th). This won't be a photo shoot, per se, just a beautiful little snapshot of your kiddo. Please let me know if you want me to photograph your child. Small packages of the photograph will be available to purchase if desired. Proceeds will benefit the Terra Luz fundraising project. :)

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Keeping an eye out for the weather this Thursday and Friday for group photos. Forecast calls for 60% chance of rain on Thursday, and more rain on Friday. We want to capture these outdoors. If it rains, we'll postpone group pictures for the following week!

Gwen Turns Three!

For a couple years, I've been lusting over these Waldorf Birthday and Advent Rings. Now with all the children I serve, I figured I could invest in one of these beauties.

And with Gwen having just turned 3, she was the first one to have it used in her honor. Seems like she just turned 2 yesterday.

Happy Birthday Gwen!

Recently, at Terra Luz (Krista)

Conversations about Autumn

As we painted with Autumnal colors, I asked the children, "What does Fall mean?"

Ava: "The leaves turn colors."

Alaira: "The Sun is farther away from the Earth...my daddy told me that--he knows everything."

Corbin: "We wear long sleeves."

Anika: "The leaves turn colors."

Mia S: "It rains more...this rain is CRAZY, and it's so, so COLD!"

Jalie: "There might be some germs going around...in our mucus."

Our Yoga Practice:

Lately, we've been chanting a peace mantra in our closing: OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI.

Like many mantras, this one begins with Om. Om is usually translated as, "The Universal Sound". Shanti means peace. We repeat it 3 times and use corresponding words and hand gestures to symbolize peace in my thoughts, peace in my words, peace in my heart.

Our physical yoga practice has been centered around: hoot owl, tree, frog, rainbow, elevator breathing, gorilla, cobra, lion, happy baby, fish, sky to ground, star, falling star, body drumming, gorilla drums, flower and birthday candle breath, and donkey.

The Classroom Experience:

Allie:"I'm just a grown-up having tea."

Me: "What will you eat?"

Allie:"Let's eat noodles, bread and tea and birthday cake."

Anika: "Maybe, when I get older, I can make some of that yummy, fancy food, like roti."

Anika, showing her babies to Ava: "My babies are sleeping now, so we just have to be really quiet. This one's name is Anika, like me. She's going to be 4 on her next birthday."

Corbin and Gwen, working with the small animals-- naming them, arranging them, counting them, and telling each other stories about animals they know.

Jason and Allie, collaborating on a zoo made out of books.

Sophia, Ava and Allie, playing doctor and talking about germs.

Dia De Los Muertos, as explained by Allie J:

"It's when we give dead people good food because they died. The Day of the Dead is in Spanish. That means that it's a party and we celebrate it."

In the Sandbox:

Ryland, after spending the afternoon on a project, " It's done! I built a canyon!"

Atticus, narrating, "There's a sandbox over here. I'm going to get IN the sandbox. I'm raking the sand, and LOOK, there is an excavator!"

The Nap room:

Ava, taking great care to tenderly comb every one's hair and tuck them in, before, reluctantly, going to her own nap mat.

Next Parent Potluck

Mark your calendars! Before the holidays hit, we'll be hosting one more Parent Potluck evening! Let's gather together to enjoy some good food, wine, company, and view the newest art exhibits.

Date: Tuesday, December 1st
Time: 7:00-8:30pm

Silent Auction will be held on various items. Please contact Andrea or Ruxandra if you would like to participate, or donate a silent auction item. Proceeds will benefit the Terra Luz fundraising project.

Putting It Out To The Universe

Property Search.

The two words that make me feel like a broken record. ;)

If you've been with me for the last year, you've heard me echo them over and over. We took a break from the [unsuccessful] search for a few months to get Terra Luz expanded within our private residence. Now with the year coming to a close, we realized it's time to get back on the wagon of searching since it could take several months.

My ideal permanent home for Terra Luz would be a house that is commercially zoned to keep the cohesive and cozy feeling intact. Very hard to come by in NW Austin/Cedar Park, for whatever crazy reason, but I'm still hoping for that, even with all the disappointments.

I've also been eyeing the corner house on 620 that is currently a salon and have considered putting a note on their door letting them know to contact me if they ever want to sell. Hey, you never know, right? Also have daydreamed about taking over the [old] daycare in front of my house and renovating the inside (the layout is TOTALLY ideal for a Reggian program). Then the wheels in my head start spinning, and the panic begins to set in. Will I ever find what I'm looking for? Will this program sustain in suburbia? I feel very passionate about my escuelita and believe there's a strong need in our area for quality early childhood education.

So, then, I get an email.

A family is going to be selling their home that is on 5 acres (5 acres!) and the owner wanted to show it to us since she heard I'm looking for property. They've lived there for over 30 years and their children are grown, and the city has caught up with them. When sold, it will be zoned commercial. The location is ideal and 5 minutes from our current location (using the toll). It's been listed, but the sign has not been put up yet because they're having their daughter's wedding in December.

We viewed it today. The land is beautiful and with it sit 68 oak trees.68 oak trees! So beautiful, neither my husband nor I had the courage to ask what their asking price was. After we left, he said, you know we're not going to be able to afford this, right? I wanted to kick myself for not asking the price, I suppose we just didn't want to keel over in front of her. She gave us the contact information for her realtor, and we're going to call him on Monday.

The owner (who happens to be an Early Childhood Connection Facilitator with LISD) did say, she would love for children to be there, and would hate to see it turned into a convenience store.

So, here I am, putting this out to the universe. Even if this property doesn't work out, that our property will present itself soon.

Dia de Los Muertos

Continuing with embracing the diversity Terra Luz has been blessed with, and bringing about global mindedness, the month of November brings Dia de Los Muertos for Allie and her family, and we are going to celebrate!

Please join us for a Dia de los Muertos fiesta on Monday, November 2nd beginning at 10:00. *If your child is not in attendance that day, please feel free to join us for the celebration.

Allie's family will be here to read a special story, enjoy tamales and delicioso pan de muerto, and some music! Feel free to dress up too, if you're inclined. ;)

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Her family also extends an invitation to all her classmates for a celebration at their home on Sunday November 1st. They will be serving delicious south Mexican tamales, pan de muertos and hot chocolate. They will also have a couple of piñatas en el altar. They want to invite Allie’s classmates to join them. Invitation to follow.

Gourds in Watercolor

With the arrival of fall, we turned our thoughts to things harvest this week in the atelier. The children were introduced to gourds and colorful corn as inspiration for small watercolor paintings. They were asked to attempt painting a gourd on their paper, and they each chose the one they wanted to reference. We worked with the colors of the subject matter – light and dark orange, green and brown. One gourd stood out amongst the children as being a “small pumpkin”, which seemed to be a favorite. They also loved the “special” corn. They really enjoyed this project!

When introduced to the gourds and corn:

“Do you see this orange pumpkin? Juice comes out of them….but not a lot. And this corn is not the corn you eat, it’s special corn. You can peel it!” ~Anika

When asked what one of the larger gourds smelled like:

“It smells like pumpkin!” ~Sophia

“It doesn’t smell.” ~Alaira

“It smells like grayish.” ~Jalie

When asked what the cornhusks sound like when they rustle:

“The corn husk sounds like rain (when you shake it)!” And as she shook the corn she tried it out as a new tickling tool, “I’m tickling you with the corn!” ~Mia G.

When asked what the gourds look like:

“This one looks like a lemon!" ~Ava

“This one looks like a pear! This one looks like an octagon – I mean – a septagon”! This one is a drum! This one is a hat (wears the gourd on his head)! ~Corbin

“It looks like a cat, a very different cat. I’m going to paint this gourd!” ~Alaira

When asked how the gourds look and feel:

“It’s kind of bumpy, and also kind of brownish-orangish.” ~Jalie

Mia S. then became the facilitator for this process! She chimed in:

“Is this pumpkin like a circle? And what about this one? And what about this other one?” (she went through all of them together with Jalie)

During the painting process:

"These are beautiful paintings!” ~Mia S.

“I need more orange paint because I need a lot for this picture.” ~McKenna

"I want to use purple to make my gourd.” ~Ava

"When I mix peach and brown it makes light brown!” ~Corbin (he proceeded to do many color studies thereafter)

Until next time...

Yvonne

Rose Petals on Paper

Last week I was leaving my house and noticed my rose bushes had exploded with blooms and color. I grabbed some petals and thought we'd have some fun with them in the atelier. Only a few children worked with me this day, as it was beautiful outside and most wanted to be in the sunshine instead (I don't blame them)!


I asked the children to see if they could glue the petals on the paper to make a flower. They have been very interested in glue lately, and so they took off and made their own creations........


Damon enjoyed this project very much. "I'm making a bullseye! I LOVE bullseyes!" ~Damon



Ava went for the minimalist look, while Sophia liberally dotted her paper with petals:

Until next time...

Yvonne

Conversations that make me Smile

(In the Garden)

Sophia: "No! Don't do that! Please Stop!" (finger pointed in the air, furrowed brow) :)

Ms. Kellyann: "Sophia, who are you talking to?"

Sophia: "The wind"

Ava: "We want the wind to stop blowing"

Anika: "Little baby (Arjun) cant come to school because he doesn't learn stuff. My mom told me that"

Ms. Kellyann: "Are you excited for him to be able to go to school and learn?"

Anika: "Yeah, but right now he`s not learning, he`s still young. When he grows up, he can learn from me."

(Watching Corbin play with the garbage truck in the sandbox)

Jalie: "You never know when the garbage truck is going to come to your house. You just don't know."

(In the nap room)

Mia: "Ms. Kellyann, somebody swiped my eye pillow"

Ms. Kellyann: "Hmm.. lets see if we can find it... Oh look! Here it is, under your pillow."

Mia: "Oh! I put it there."

(Outside)

Mckenna: "I have a brother at home."

Ms. Kellyann: "I know you do, what is his name?"

Mckenna: "Will"

Ms. Kellyann: "Do you know what your moms name is?"

Mckenna: "Mommy"

Ms. Kellyann: "Do you know what your dads name is?"

Mckenna: "Daddy"

Ms. Kellyann: "Do you have a dog? Whats his name?"

Mckenna: "Woof Woof" giggles "I don`t have a dog at home"

(In the Nap Room)

Sophia: "Ms. Kellyann, come lay down"

Ms. Kellyann: "ok" (I lay down, sophia covers me with her blanket)

Sophia: "I give you haircut. Your husband, he's coming. I put it in formation"

(She brushes her hands quickly through my hair, then'uses her fingers to move the pieces of hair out of my face ever so gently.)

To Dress Up or Not to Dress Up

Sophia, 2008

I've been asked about the children dressing up for Halloween this year. Previously, this is something I've left to be a family affair. However, I'm going to allow the children to come to school in their costumes and see how that works for us (It will fall during group picture day this year, so we'll do photos both in and out of costume).

A couple of guidelines are requested:

*Please make sure an extra set of clothing is sent to school so they can later change, (and please prepare your child by letting she/he know they will be changing).

*Please no costumes that are scary, violent, have guns, swords, etc.

Thank you!

Making the Most of Autumn

Leaves from New England, courtesy of Allie

Autumn has crept up upon us. We would love if families can help us gather items from nature for our upcoming focus.

Leaves
Pine Cones
Acorns
Berries
Twigs
etc...

Thank you!

Visiting Author this Wednesday!

A quick reminder that Liz Garton Scanlon will be here this Wednesday at 10:00. Even if your child is not in attendance on that day, please feel free to come for her storytime. AND, I just found out, her new release, All the World is one of the books nominated for inclusion in this year's Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories-- how exciting is that!! Oh, and you can vote once per day through October 30th. =)

Conflict Resolution

by Bev Bos

The most important thing to remember about discipline for young children is that it needs to be kind, tender and humane. And so often it is not. Why are adults so afraid of being kind when disciplining? I think there are lots of reasons: one reason stems from how we were disciplined as children. In a tense moment we often go back to how we were raised even if we resented how we were treated. Fear, also, keeps us from being kind and tender because we are so afraid that our child will become a rude, hurtful, out of control adult. Sometimes we just don't know a better way.

Part of the way adults react has to do with the world we live in and the uncertainty adults face everyday about the future. A few years ago life followed a predictable pattern of school, job, marriage, home and family. Since the 1960's social upheaval, out of control financial worries and simplification of divorce procedures have created new patterns of living, mating and child rearing. There are anxieties about drugs, sex, crime (it is predicted that one out of every three jobs by the year 2000 will be in security) and unstable family life. Confused by shattered traditions and searching for immediate solutions, adults are caught up in the vicious circle of trying to change their children instead of changing the conditions that pose the real threat.

Often adults convey anger and disappointment to children. Children are anxious to please adults and really, really want to do the right thing. But instead of giving encouragement, too often we reprimand them with put downs and punishments. Adults frequently talk down to their children, they are demanding and rude. They often treat children in a way they would never treat another adult. When we threaten children we:

* Model for children how to be an angry, yelling person who humiliates others

* Have children who, having been made to feel that they are genuinely bad people, may act that way

* Teach them how to freeze up, lowering their own expectations of discovery and success in order to stay out of the line of fire

* Have children who have been made to feel that the adults in their lives are enemies. We fight enemies. They will IMITATE the harsh disciplinary behavior of the adults in all their relationships. A golden rule to remember: "What I want for myself, I must also want for you; what I want from you I must also be willing to give." Think of your children as royal guests in your home. In many ways, they are, because they come and stay only for a short while. What they remember when they leave affects them and their loved ones forever. So when you talk to children:

* Always be sure you have their full attention. Get down on your knees and speak firmly but quietly

* Keep it simple, say what you mean. Do not pose a question (Why did you hit your brother?) but state what you can't let happen. "I can't let you hit your brother. When you hit it hurts."

* You might have the aggressor look at the face of the hurt child so they begin to look for non-verbal clues. Remember, children are developmentally egocentric until they are six. It is difficult if not impossible for them to understand another point of view. That's why they have parents to help them. The contorted face of a two-year old can sometimes scare a seasoned adult.

* Do not badger the child but encourage conversation. "Tell me what you think I said."

* Please don't hurry the child. So often problems come up when you are going out the door, or in the grocery store, or trying to get dinner on the table, etc. We whiz in and yell and holler and the child doesn't feel under stood.

This article would have to be ten pages long to give you answers to all the questions you have. What follows are a few important things to pay attention to.

When the conflict is between two children, do not let children be victims. When one child comes whining, instead of attacking the other child because yours got hurt, a better way is to help your child tell the other child what they do not like. Check first to see if the child is physically hurt, holding them and consoling -- then ask, "Did you like that?" And, "What would like to say to Michael?" Take the child by the hand, stand by for support and help your child begin the most important thing they can do -- communicate with words how they feel and what they don't like. And remember, for goodness sakes, that this kind of conflict resolution takes more than once, it takes TIME. But it is a gift which pays enormous dividends. You cannot hold your child's hand throughout their life so the earlier you help them learn how to resolve conflict without inflicting physical pain the more productive and happy their lives will be. Let me give you a four step plan for helping children resolve conflict.

1. Take the hand, firmly, of the child who is hurt and go find the other child. Hold the hand of the other child and say, "Emily, tell Julie how you feel." Then, "Julie, tell Emily how you feel." Now, do it again -- they always have more to say. Do not interrupt the children and do not put words in their mouths. You want them to develop the skills to communicate.

2. Next, say to each child, "Anything else?" Provide ample time for each child to respond. If one child interrupts, very calmly respond, "Emily isn't through."

3. "Give me three solutions? How can we solve this problem? How could this be different?" This sounds very sophisticated for little kids but you would be surprised at how quickly they get the idea when adults are supportive. Sometimes a child's solution will be punitive like, "Well, I could hit her!" At this point, without raising your voice, you say, "That's not an acceptable solution." Always go for three solutions.

All of us lose it occasionally. Children and adults let anger get beyond control. Sometimes it happens when we are tired, hurried and frustrated with our busy days. If adults could practice these four steps of resolving conflict with their spouses -- holding hands, give each other time to respond, look for solutions and hug each other instead of yelling and hurting each other with words that can never be taken back and seem to be remembered long after the conflict, what a wonderful world this would be. Impossible, you say? Nothing is impossible. It just takes a different way of thinking.

Snippets [by Andrea]

We had an incredible week, which included our diwali celebration with all of Anika's family. Oh my! That was incredible!! Will download those photos soon, but for now, I'll leave you with some goodies.

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Inventions



Chef d'oeuvre



A Project Unfolding









Pondering



Examining



Guiding



Companionship



The Sandbabies Saga Continues



Jason joins in



Nurturing



Greeting



Connecting



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Parenting for a Peaceful World
For those who want to attend the Parenting for a Peaceful World book study group but the cost is holding you back, I just want to quickly echo something a friend of mine, Sara, who works closely with Carrie said. When broken down, the cost is about $40 per session or $20 per hour (Carrie's regular individual rate is $125/hour).

6 sessions at $40 each will change the way you parent, guaranteed. It's an investment that is absolutely worth it, and is the best gift you can give to your children and to yourselves. I know that the cost is high, but the benefit is out of this world. :)

We've opened it to people outside of Terra Luz, so please jump on a spot if you want to join us. Thank you!

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Farewell, sweet boy!


Photo by mama Melanie

Wishing Zaidan and his mama all the best in their move to Florida! We will miss Zaidan so much!!

Parenting for a Peaceful World Book Study Group

Has anybody read Parenting for a Peaceful World by Robin Grille?

*How to best support your child's developing emotional intelligence
*How your childhood has influenced your own emotional make-up
*What helps you achieve your full potential as a parent
*How our parenting choices can change the world - and help us to create peaceful and sustainable societies

Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a health professional, or just seeking to better understand yourself and your relationships so you can heal and grow, this book is for you.

Carrie Contey, PhD holds Parenting for a Peaceful World book study groups at her office in South Austin and I've been wanting to attend one for months. So, I asked, and she said she would be happy to hold a northie book study group if we can get 12-15 mamas and/or daddies signed up.

So, anybody interested? :)

I believe the book study lasts over the course of 6 weeks or so. Will get more details, but for now, if anybody's interested in the book study group, please let me know! I know I am!

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ETA Details!


Parenting for a Peaceful World, written by Robin Grille, is a book for parents who want to learn to get inside their parenting with true compassion and understanding of both their children and of themselves. It is for child health professionals who want to gain insight into every infant and child, and even adult, they encounter. It is for adults who want to gain insight into their whole selves again and indeed, the whole self of every person they meet.

This book is nothing short of a manifesto for policy-makers, teachers, community leaders, and anyone who wants to deepen their connection to themselves and humanity as a whole. If the findings outlined in these pages are put into practice, the result may be a revolution of peace, humanity, and a world beyond our imagining. And it can all begin in ourselves and in our very own families.

During our time together we will:
* Examine the whys of who we are
* Discuss the book
* Explore how our own early experiences influence what we believe about ourselves and how we parent
* Share some of the messiness and joys of parenting today
* Learn and practice mindfulness techniques that will help reduce stress and model good emotional health and regulation to partners and children

Time: 7:15-9:15pm
Dates: We can do it weekly or every other week for six classes (Dates to be determined)
Cost: $260/person
Location: Terra Luz

This is for mothers and fathers with children of all ages who are ready to explore and create new understandings of themselves, their children and their world in general.

For more information contact Carrie at 694-7794 or carrie@earlyparenting.com

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Proposed Dates:

November 4th, 18th
Dec. 2nd, 9th and 16th
Then we can have the last one on the 30th or wait until Jan 6th. Preferably until the 6th.

It would be fun to have something threading through the holidays!

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ETA on 10/16

Spoke with Carrie about the price and she is open to lowering it.

$240/person
If you come with a partner or a friend the price drops to $225/person

Here's a few testimonials...

"What skill could possibly be more important than Parenting for a Peaceful World? Think for a moment and I think you'll find there really is none. This book took my own experience of being a Dad, and placed it in the context of parenting through the ages. It's incredible how fascinating, helpful and hopeful that is. Getting together with Carrie, Bernadette and the guys to talk about the book was really great."

What a wealth of professional and practical experience with children and parenting. Talking about your own struggles, triumphs (and sometimes failures), and, better, listening to other dads experiences (hey, they're just guys like us!) brought some balance to an often difficult and exhausting job. I'll confess, I never would have done it on my own. My wife signed me up remind me to thank her!"

Welcome Atticus!

Atticus joined us last Friday and we look forward to getting to know our new friend at Terra Luz!