Legos are great toys and one of the most creative tools that children can use.  Since children love them so much, they make for excellent Math and Language Arts manipulatives. For parents looking to offer new challenges to keep their kids learning, Legos are a fun medium to test both the parents’ and child’s creativity.

1. Addition – Write out simple addition equations on a piece of paper.  Leave enough space for your child to match the number of pegs on each block with the written number.  Or you could reverse it, place the pegs on the table and ask your child to write out the numbers that match the pegs.
2. Subtraction – Place one Lego that has fewer pegs on top of another that has more to reveal subtraction concepts.  For example, a 12-peg Lego beneath an 8-peg Lego of the same color that is being subtracted, helps children to put quantities into groups.
3. Recognizing Patterns – Choose two or three different colors, and have your child create various pattern types.  Or create the pattern yourself and have your child to determine what the pattern is.
4. Comparing Numbers – Stack up blocks next to each other, and ask your child which one contains more.  Then demonstrate how the greater than/less than symbol indicates the amount as well.
5. Non-Standard Measuring – Take any toy that your child likes and use Legos to measure them.  Then ask how many Legos long is your toy?
6. Making Perfect Squares – Line up Legos so that they form multiplication arrays that display perfect squares.  For example, 2 x 2 is 4.  Then have your child to count the pegs represented in the answer.
7. Multiplication and Division – Use Legos to show groups.  Three groups of eight make twenty four.  Then write out the equation, 3 x 8 = 24.  You could also write out 8 + 8 + 8 = 24, to show that multiplication is repeated addition.
8. Counting and Number Matching – This next one works better on bigger blocks, like Lego Duplos.  I used a small dry erase marker to write on the blocks.  They erase well with the wipe of a tissue.  Separate the blocks, write the numbers on them, then have your child to match them up.  This will help them learn to relate the cardinal number to the written number, and to the quantity – represented in the dots.
9. Putting the Alphabet in Order – Mix up blocks and spread them out, then have your child to put them in order.  Make this activity more fun by having your child sing the alphabet song while playing the game, or race against a timer.
10. Making Letters – Work with your child to creatively form as many letters as you can with the blocks.
11. Sentence Structure – Write a simple sentence, like the one below.  Mix up all the words, and have your child to place them in order, to form a complete sentence.
12. Prefixes – Write the prefix on the smaller block, and the root word on the larger block to demonstrate how the prefix changes the word.
13. Suffixes – Write the suffix on the smaller block, and the root word on the larger block to demonstrate how the suffix changes the word.
14. Subject & Predicate – Write a basic sentence and then choose two large blocks on which to write ‘subject’ and ‘predicate.’ You can do this with nouns and verbs, or if your child is more advanced, use subjects and predicates.  But use the larger blocks to label the parts of the sentence, and smaller blocks to write the words.
15. Word Families/Rhyming Words – Use one similar color to write a list of rhyming words.  Point out the spelling of these words and point out how they are similar in sound and spelling.  Use the blocks to group them together.

There are so many ways to use Legos to teach or reinforce academic concepts.  We love this as a means to supplemental homeschool and encourage our children’s growth.

Mommies, what are some other ways that you have used Legos in your home?

Запись Legos Unlocked: 15 Ways to Use Legos to Teach Math and Language Arts впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Last week, Steve Harvey discussed unschooling on his popular talk show. Harvey explained a major benefit of homeschooling his own children was increased family time, but while he supports homeschooling he is unfamiliar with unschooling.

On the show, Harvey had a panel of parents who were considered ‘new school’ and another panel considered ‘old school’.

As I watched the segment on Youtube, I reflected on my own experience.

1. Unschooling is focused on teaching children according to their interests
Akilah described unschooling as “focused on the kids interests, so you use the interest as a gateway to open them up to other things.” And that description is spot on. Allowing children to pursue their interests is especially important in the primary years. As a former high school teacher I have come across so many students who lack creativity and don’t have a strong sense of curiosity. I recall multiple occasions where I gave students freedom to create a presentation or project, only to be faced with the disappointing phrase: “Miss I don’t know what to do.” I would respond by telling them, “Anything you like!” However more often than not students would simply ask that I give them a topic.

An education system that constantly tells children what to think and puts the majority of its focus on test scores creates individuals who are incapable of coming up with their own conclusions and waiting for someone to tell them what to do. When children are not only allowed but encouraged to follow their passions, to be curious and explore, the stage is set for them to become inventors, creators and problem solvers. Whether you unschool or use traditional school as a primary means of education, allowing children to pursue their curiosity at a young age is the best education you can give your child.

2. There is no curriculum timetable or objective measure of ‘success’ — and that’s not a bad thing
Bethany, one of the mothers on Harvey’s panel confessed that her 5 year old could not read. A father on the ‘old school’ side seemed shocked. But unschooling does not have academic standards and measures of success as the mainstream education system does. And as a homeschooling mother I have experienced this. Although my children are advanced in other areas, my oldest child showed no interest in writing. In fact she was a opposed to writing every time I tried to force it on her. I shared this with my husband and we both decided to back off and allow her to come to writing on her own. That means we abandoned all the tracing alphabet workbooks and Handwriting Without Tears materials and just allowed her to pursue the subjects she was interested in. She loves to read, she wanted to learn how to play the violin, she loves science.  So we got her involved in those activities. And then, almost overnight, she started writing, when she was ready.

I know there are parents who would have told me that my daughter needed to practice writing everyday to become good at it. That kids should be writing their name in Kindergarten. But I choose not to worry about everyone else’s timetable and just focus on my child. I have seen young preschool and kindergarten kids cry because adults made them feel less than for lack of penmanship. That was not the road I wanted to travel.  Not worrying about the mainstream measures of success is important for unschoolers, and can be applied to traditional schoolers as well.

3. Unschooling is not for everyone
One of the parents on the ‘old school’ side of the panel mentioned that she wasn’t able to attend college and she wanted to see her kids walk across the stage at commencement. The audience applauded her. While I understand her passion to move her children toward a degree, degrees shouldn’t always be equated with education, and vice versa. Many educated people are self-taught and do not have a degree. Unschooling parents are just as passionate about their child’s education, but they do not place their educational value in a report card or a certificate from an institution. Some unschoolers go on to become entrepreneurs and other unschoolers go on to pursue degrees in the areas of their interests. Many of the world’s most successful people do not have college degrees, but some do. And while I love the idea of unschooling, I realize that unschooling is not for every family. We should learn to respect the diversity of educational options available to our children and learn from them.

Mommies, have you tried or considered unschooling? Have you incorporated principles of unschooling into your child’s traditional education? Share your experiences below.

Запись It’s Not New-Agey or Weird: What Black Families Should Know About Unschooling впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

NYTimes.com

“I am not as smart as the other kids.” 

That’s what the child told her mother.

“There is nothing that infuriates me more than when you don’t do what’s on your paper!”

That’s what the teacher Ms. Dial told the child as she struggled with a math problem.

In 2014 a concerned teaching assistant secretly recorded the following video of Ms. Dial reacting to a student’s incorrect answer. In the video, we see young students sitting quietly while Ms. Dial asks a student to count something again. The young girl is sitting adjacent to Ms. Dial. There is a slight pause when Ms. Dial asks her to count it again. Then we hear Ms. Dial say, “count” in a very strong serious tone. On the floor, we see yellow blocks. The young girl counts, but Ms. Dial rips up her paper and throws it at her. The child sits quietly with her hands folded. Ms. Dial then directs her to go to the calm down chair and sit. As the girl walks to the chair, Ms. Dial crosses out something on the board. Ms. Dial then asks other students to demonstrate how to count correctly. Multiple hands go up, and one student volunteers to count correctly.

As I have watched this video multiple times, I have had many concerns.

Concern number one: Confidence

As I listen to the interaction between Ms. Dial and the young girl, my heart goes out to the girl. I feel especially worried about her confidence both in math and in life will be impacted by this type of treatment.

Nadya Miranda, the girl’s mother said, “It makes me feel bad as a parent — like, what am I going to do to build her confidence all over again?” A HONY story comes to mind. In the post, a grandfather says, “His grandmother and I are raising him. I worry about putting him into the public school system. I was a teacher for many years. I’ve seen so much confidence destroyed by the standardized system.”

Giving children a sense of confidence is so key. It affects every aspect of their life, not just academics. Situations like these can tear down and rip holes into a child’s self-esteem. As mothers, we have to work extra hard to instill a sense of confidence in our children because there are so many forces in the world that are ready to tear them down.

Concern number two: The right answer

Teachers and parents must be aware of what I call “the right answer” syndrome. Salman Khan, creator of Khan Academy explains how researchers have “found that neural connections form and deepen most when we make mistakes doing difficult tasks rather than repeatedly having success with easy ones.” In the video, and most likely in daily practice, students are only praised if they get the right answer. What would have worked better is if the teacher had assisted the student in the process of how to work out the problem, instead Ms. Dial punished her for getting the wrong answer.

Concern three: Teacher stress

Teaching is a stressful job that requires a lot of patience. From the short video, it seems that the teacher is very frustrated and is taking it out on the kids. In a press conference given by Success Academy, parents and staff members offer up support for Ms. Dial. Parents and teachers noted that often teachers have 11 hours days, put in extra time at home to prepare lesson plans, and make tremendous sacrifices in terms of time and energy, all so that their students can be successful. However, no one seemed to be connecting the dots that all of those factors contribute to a stressed out person that is more likely to be abusive with language. Teachers need stress management. Schools put a tremendous amount of pressure on teachers, and many teachers operate out of stress. No teacher should be this stressed out when explaining a simple math problem.

Concern four: Parent-Teacher relationship

It is imperative that parents know about what is going on in the classroom and have a strong relationship with their child’s teacher. It is not enough to just know how well they did on a test, or how their academic achievement is progressing. The teacher should be able to comment on their personality changes, confidence in the classroom and motivation as well. These are critically important topics to discuss with the parent when a child is not meeting expectations, rather than berate a child.

Concern five: Parental Involvement

“She used to tell me: ‘I’m never going to get it. I just don’t know. I’m not as smart as the other kids, ’” Ms. Miranda said. “I would hear that from her, and I’d be like, ‘Where are you getting this from?’”

Then she saw the video, and she knew. If you hear your child doubting themselves academically, talk to their teacher and ask if the teacher has noticed the same behavior.  Consider the teacher your partner in educating your child. You need to have good communication and a clear understanding with your partner in order to obtain your goals.

During parent-teacher meetings, ask these questions. Then ask your children these same questions, and compare their answers. Be prepared to discuss concerning discrepancies with the teacher if need be.

This video captured a classroom gone wrong, but we can learn from it. Be proactive about having your child understand that they should respect but not be afraid of their teacher. Explain to your children what emotional abuse is, and let them know it is not ok for adults to abuse them this way.

Lastly, if we expect teachers and school staff members to treat our children with respect, we must model it at home so that they know what it looks like. Parents too must avoid lashing out over simple mistakes and instead should speak gently to our children.

Mothers, what is your reaction to the video?  Would you be ok with a teacher treating your child this way?

Запись 5 Reasons I’m Concerned By This Video of a White Teacher Berating a Black Female Student впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Now over a year into my total life change, I’m still shocked when I look back. Did I really turn down two jobs to stay home with my kids?

I did not go to college and graduate school to stay at home.

The reality is after my family relocated for my husband’s career, the offers I received had significant drawbacks. With one job I would have had to commute 47 miles each way. I’d have to leave before child care opened, and I’d get home after it closed. My husband’s work requirements wouldn’t allow him to do pick ups. We have no family here, so we’d have to hire someone to pick up our child.

I worried what about being so far away during the day while my children were so small. An hour away if traffic agreed is more distance than I felt comfortable putting between me and my children. On top of that, my 16-year-old car would not sustain such a commute, so we’d have to buy a new car immediately, taking on debt and much higher insurance and registration payments.

The other job was in town, but the salary was back to where I started a decade ago. Considering the cost of two children in full time child care, I would technically earn enough to pay for the child care and still have some from my check, but the value wasn’t there.

The quality of child care wasn’t worth it.

The child care options swayed me. Ideally, I’d like a program where the staff all had at least a Child Development Associate credential. I’d like low staff-to-student ratios of no more than 1:4 for babies and 1:8 for 4 year olds. Numbers higher than this reduce the level of attention even the best teachers can offer. The staff should be well paid and funded so they can provide a play-based program that supports children in all areas of development. Also, diversity of the staff and children and a secular background were important to me.

The preschool option I liked the most was only a 9-month, partial day program, still leaving me the afternoons and summer to fill. The cost was staggering, but quality comes at a price, a price these jobs just didn’t leave me the ability to budget.

The emotional cost is hard to measure.

While there were many aspects that I appreciated about my son’s previous child care, I hated leaving a little baby for 50 hours a week. With my husband in school, that’s exactly what I did. Bills had to be paid. Sacrifices had to be made.

I’m proud I supported my family then, but I’d like my little babies to be with me or at least a relative. Adding on a long commute, I just can’t see doing it again. I’ve had to look at what I am gaining and losing if I accept these jobs versus if I stay at home.

How we’re making my being home work.

Right now, what’s working for us is scheduling several enriching free and low cost activities during the week. We go to story time at some libraries and at our local children’s museum. My four year old also takes a tap, ballet, creative movement class once a week. Plus, we have play dates.

My husband has taken on a part-time remote evaluation job he does from home in addition to his day job. I write, edit, and transcribe during naps and when the children go to bed. I’m still figuring out my schedule, and I don’t earn anywhere close to what I earned before; however, I’m hopeful working from home will only become more profitable as I expand my client base.

I’ve learned that making as much money as possible isn’t how I want to live my life. My happiness is defined by activities that enrich my soul. Nothing does that better than spending time with my family and friends.

Frugality pays in its own ways.

We bought a modest home close to my husband’s work. This cut our living expenses significantly. We keep driving our 16- and 18-year-old cars that are paid off and inexpensive to insure. I visit 2 to 4 grocery stores in a week to stock up on the best prices. We buy things in bulk such as a quarter of beef which gets us a great price. I cook almost everything from scratch. These things and more save us hundreds of dollars each month.

When added to the cost we’re not spending on child care, the comparison between my working outside of the home and my staying home makes staying home the clear winner. Studies show we’re not the only ones making this choice as child care now costs more than rent in many places.

With my employment and child care options as they stand, I’m happy with this arrangement. I love what my kids are doing during the day. Many days I am exhausted, but honestly this is the happiest I’ve been. Keeping a tight budget is a job in itself, and I’m proud of how I’m managing our home. It may not have been the original plan, but I’m hopeful to continue in this direction.

Запись I Turned Down Two Jobs to Stay at Home Because Child Care Costs Too Much впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

My children’s health, education, and well being mean too much to me to pass up this learning opportunity.

Mealtime is the best time to learn how not to be a jerk.

Manners matter, and mealtimes are a great time to work on them. I’m talking beyond please pass the salt. Whoever helped to make our meal gets a thank you from everyone eating. While I enjoy being told, “Thank you Mommy for making this beautiful dinner, ” I like even more to be able to see my son’s pride when I thank him for chopping vegetables for our dinner. Dinner makes our team stronger.

We eat the same meal.

Since he’s a child, he can only eat what I prepare. Though his favorite food is probably bread with butter, he’ll eat just about anything that’s served to him because he knows that’s the only option.

Some nights he eats dinner willingly, and others he’s slow because he’s not into it. Yes, it can be frustrating and exhausting, but parenting isn’t always about sunshine and rainbows. I remind him if he wants to grow strong and be healthy, he has to eat a variety of foods. While he doesn’t have to eat the dinner I’ve prepared, there’s no other option, and he’ll have to wait until breakfast if he wants something else. I think he’s chosen twice to not eat, only to come back later and sit down and eat.

That said, I do try to make good tasting food I think everyone will enjoy, and most nights I’m successful. He’s learned that he doesn’t have to love every bit of food that’s presented to him. It’s just one meal. Life will go on. Chew, swallow, get over it. I find myself applying this lesson to so many things throughout my week. I hope it’s one that sticks with my kids.

We talk at the table.

We talk about our days, the books we’re reading, the music we’re listening to, the things that made us laugh, the food in front of us. We talk. We take turns. We’re modeling conversation skills and building our children’s verbal and memory skills.

It’s so fun to see what my son wants to share with his dad from his day. Often the parts that stood out to me are not the ones he chooses to share. I’m reminded that he’s his own person, and he gives me the chance to see his POV. I do the same for him.

We keep a stack of library books at the table.

We check out about 20 books a week from the library. If my husband is able to join us for dinner, he reads the page closest to him, and I read the one closest to me. Otherwise, the attending adult does all the reading. The catch is that we only read if our 4 year old is actively eating.

We aim to read through three books a meal at lunch and dinner. If the story is good enough, he doesn’t care what’s on his plate, as long as we keep reading.

I love that there’s built in reading time in our day. I never have to ask if we’ve read any books. Between lunch, dinner, and bedtime, we’re reading so much. I love that my son can now read some to us.

The result of all this that is dinner time is no short affair in our house. It’s at least an hour most days. I consider the time an investment in my family.

Запись How I Use Mealtime for Discipline, Conversation and Education впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

“STEM refers to the subjects Science (e.g. biology, physics, chemistry), Technology (e.g. information systems, robotics, programming), Engineering (e.g. electrical, mechanical, chemical) and Mathematics (e.g. geometry, equations, logics).”

But, even as I continue to explore these fields of study, I have come to realise that the “E” in S.T.E.M. is much more than electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or even chemical engineering. In its most basic form, engineering is about problem-solving and creating or building. When we ask, imagine, design, create, test and improve on things, we are practicing engineering skills. So, whether my daughter decides to become an educator or a businesswoman, I think her successes in life will be maximised if she becomes comfortable and competent in engineering.

Since children learn through play during the preschool years, it helps if we’re more intentional about selecting and making toys that align with our priorities. If the infant years have passed you by and you’re now looking to expose your toddler to and encourage their interest in engineering, then the time to get specific is now! We can give our little ones a head start in problem-solving by giving them toys that get them building and designing.
Toys to Buy

To kickstart my gameplan, I got my 3-year-old a set of screw-assembly vehicles (she loves trains, fire engines and ambulances – LOL). The set included a motorcycle, jeep, car and train. They came with screws and bolts that hold their various parts together and a set of wrenches and screwdrivers to pull-apart and set up the vehicles. She randomly grabs any of the toys and will either pull them apart or set them up while waiting for dinner to be ready or getting her hair done. She sometimes struggles to figure it out, and we encourage her to start over or try again. Then once she gets efficient with pulling apart and putting together any of the vehicles, we swap it out with another one – to keep the challenge high. These are the kinds of toys more children should get to enjoy.

Some other types of toys that make great investments are:

1. Blocks

Foam, plastic or wooden. Alphabet, numbers or picture. All blocks are great. If you can get the kinds that can be mixed and matched to utilise all sides of the cube (with different info on each side) then you will score big, too.

2. Building Sets

The challenge is increased when your child has more than just cubes to express their imagination. Some sets include basic building bits like pillars, arches, columns, and triangles to create a small city. Legos and Duplos are great for this.

3. Construction Sets

Similar to building sets, but capable of more intricate designs and complex structures, constructions sets usually come with predesigned model illustrations that your child will try to replicate. They may create a spaceship or detailed city with highways and neighbourhoods.

4. Gears

Gears add the element of motion and vibrant colour to the design and building experience for your child. Your child will be able to see how the interlocking segments spin to complete tasks like vehicle transportation or moving creatures.

5. Robot Kits

Although you can go straight for full-on robotics, a great place to start with your little one is with a build-your-own robot kit. While the more popular kits feature vehicles like army tanks and cars as the final product, you can also find models which finish up as spiders or artmaking doodle-machines.

6. Jigsaw Puzzles

From basic 4-piece puzzles to those with hundreds or even thousands of pieces, these oddly-shaped pieces interlock to produce a complete picture. These toys are unassuming, since they engage both the right and left hemispheres of our brains, stimulating the development of both the logical and creative aspects of our child’s problem-solving skills.

7. Crystal Puzzles

I only learned about 3D or crystal puzzles recently. My mind was blown, when I found out children were putting together 3D models of castles or their favourite cartoon characters using transparent, interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces. The genius about these toys is that the completed puzzle can then be displayed like any other decorative object in your child’s room of the living area of your home.

8. Twisty Puzzles

Many of us grew up playing with the world’s best-selling toy, Rubik’s Cubes, and now we know they give our brains a good workout. Improved hand-eye coordination, sharpened short-term memories, increased patience and longer attention spans are all benefits of challenging out little ones with twisty puzzles.

Toys to Build

While the market is flooded with toys we can buy to nurture our little engineers, us Mommies can get into the building practice too. If you want to try your hand at designing and building some toys for and with your little engineer, you could try some of the ones below.

9. Fractal Pattern Posters

My favourite way to use fractals (never-ending patterns of symmetry) is by decorating your home or just your child’s room or playspace with African or ankara fabric. But, if you’ve already got your décor locked, an online fractal generator can design many patterns with all the colours you like. Just print them out as flashcards or large posters for your child to gaze at.

10. Lacing Frames

As easy as punching holes into a cardboard frame or or remove the glass window from a picture frame.

11. Play Dough

With many simple recipes to choose from, you can make your own play dough or silly putty. Little ones can get lost in exploring textures and manipulating shapes and colours.

12. Button Snake

Threading a button through bits of fabric can be quite entertaining for your toddler. The repetition involved builds up fine motor skills and depending on how you vary the position of the slit in the bits of fabric, the challenge can be further increased. Of course a great benefit is your child being better able to dress himself ? .

13. Puzzle Blocks

A genius idea and so easy to make. You could use mini juice cartons wrapped in plain paper, cubes of foam or real wood blocks. The key is getting a nice rectangular image to cut into pieces for lining up when the blocks get stacked.

14. Cardboard Dropbox

My 3-year-old adores these. Her favourites have cut-outs on each side of the box. It is so exciting to watch her flip the dropbox from side to side trying to find the ‘hole’ that fits the shape she has in her hand.

15. Activity Boards

If you’re not much of a DIYer, an old control panel with knobs, switches, buttons, etc. will be just fine. But, a custom activity board can have latches, wheels, whitsles, buzzers, lights, etc. There are many examples online for inspiration.

16. Cardboard Construction Sets

Grab some rigid cardboard and cut it into shapes with slits and notches. Your little ones will have lots of fun connecting them in different shapes.

So, whether you choose to browse the shelves of your local stores to stock up on toys or you want to get in the middle of a pile of string, glue and safety knives, you can provide all the toys and games needed to encourage your little one to ask, imagine, design, create, test and improve on things. Maybe you will join in and become a better ‘engineer’ too ?

Запись 16 Toys That Encourage Engineering Skills in Kids впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

True Stories

1. Singing For Dr. King
A sweet story about two little girls who  make their mark in history by participating in the Civil Rights Movement.  This story will show young girls that they too can be involved in social movements.

2.  Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa
I love Celia Cruz and I love her story.  Young Black girls from all around the world can look to the Queen of Salsa and be inspired to follow their passions despite facing discrimination and injustice.

3. Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
Melba Doretta Liston was a great jazz trombonist, musical arranger, and composer.  Most often when women in jazz are presented, it is as singers.  This beautifully illustrated picture book shows a talented and creative Black woman and her impact on jazz.

4. One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
I love how one woman created a solution to a problem in her community by turning plastic bags into purses!  This story shows girls that they can make an impact on your world in a creative way.

5. Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya
Women approach Mama Miti with all sorts of problems including hunger within the family, homelessness, and sick animals. Her answer to all of them is plant a tree.  A tree can grow food, be used to build a home, and provide herbs that heal.

6. Raising the Bar
Many young girls are inspired by Gabby Douglas. Even if you are not into gymnastics reading her story is empowering especially because she has made recent history.

7. Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music
When Millo Castro Zaldarriaga was a young girl, only men could drum.  However she did not let that stop her from pursuing her passion.  Set in Cuba, this story shows young girls that anything is possible.

8. Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman 
Let your daughter be empowered by this narrative about the first African American pilot.

Loving Your Natural Hair

9. I Love My Hair!
A beautiful story where a mother tells a child about her history, while embracing her natural hair texture.

10. Hair Like Mine Is One of a Kind
A wonderful short poem that teaches children to love their hair, regardless of the texture or length.

11. Kinky Hair is Queenly Hair
Poetic and historical, young girls are empowered by seeing themselves in the true accounts of Black women throughout history.

12. Bintou’s Braids
I love this story about a little girl who wants to have long braids, like the older women in her community.  She is taught by her elders to love and embrace the hair that she has right now.

13. Penny and the Magic Puffballs
Penny is dealing with peer pressure and the desire to have hair like her classmates.  Her mother teaches her to love her own hair by styling it in two “magic puff balls.”  Since reading this story, my two little girls have asked repeatedly for magic puff balls.

Black Girl Magic-Just Being Fabulously Black and a Girl
14. Keep Climbing, Girls
A wonderfully illustrated rendition of Beach E. Richards’ 1951 poem of the same name.  This story is about a girl who climbs trees, relentlessly, even after being told that girls don’t climb trees.  The story encourages girls to climb both physical and metaphorical obstacles.

15. Princess Truly in I Am Truly
Upbeat and fun poem about being great, starring a beautiful black girl with two puffs.

16. Beautiful Ballerina
The text in this book is minimal, but the images of black girls doing ballet are encouraging and inspiring.

17. I Got the Rhythm
A spunky, upbeat poem with lovely illustrations by Frank Morrison.

18. Queen of the Scene
This young lady cannot be stopped.  She is everything athletic,  everything confident, everything Black Girl Magic.

19. The Rain Stomper
I love this story and how it evokes poetic onomatopoeia. It is told through the eyes of a young girl whose parade has been canceled, but she marches anyway. The story shows how when one person lets their light shine, others will eventually see it and be inspired to shine as well.

20. The Girls In The Circle
Nikki Giovanni celebrates painting nails, having friends, and dressing up in mommy’s clothes.  This is a fun poem for black girls to celebrate each other.

21. Grace for President
A wonderful story to tell around election time. A girl questions why there haven’t been any woman presidents, and decides to run for president of her class.

22. Firebird
Through this poetic narrative Misty Copeland encourages a young girl to follow her dreams and overcome obstacles she can relate to.

23. The Bravest Girls In The World
Toshi overcomes her fears and learns to be brave when she is encouraged by a friend.

24. Dancing in the Wings
Based on Debbie Allen’s experience with dance, she tells a story about a girl who is told that she is not the typical dancer, because of her feet.

25.Come On, Rain!
It’s hot and raining, but that doesn’t stop this young girl from going out, exploring, and having fun.

26. Lola Loves Stories
This series of books about a girl named Lola and her family is really inspiring for preschool-aged girls. Lola creates stories, has adventures, and even teaches her brother to read.

27. Cheerleading Really Is a Sport
In this story, Alicia proves to her brother and classmates that cheerleaders work just as hard as athletes in other sports. It is a very short chapter book.

28. The Cat Food Mystery
A simple short reader in which a young black girl solves mysteries about animals.

29. The Lulu Series
There are six books in the series starring Lulu and her cousin Melly, rescuing animals and going on adventures.

30. One Word from Sophia
A cute book where a little girl learns about negotiation. It includes plenty of new vocabulary terms to help build fluency in young readers.

Запись 30 Children’s Books That Affirm and Empower Black Girls впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

The fight against spoiled children in many Black families starts early. Most new parents I know have had a mother, aunt, or grandmother swoop in and tell them, “You let that baby cry. You’ll spoil her picking her up every time she cries!” As our children get older, the focus on not spoiling them trends toward material items, especially electronics. But could our reluctance to “spoil” our children with technology at an early age set them back?

Two years ago, I sent my then two-year-old daughter to stay with her paternal grandparents for a week in the summer. I expected her doting grandparents to give her a bit more leeway than her father and I do. That’s what grandparents are for, right? I did not anticipate, however, that Bean would come home with a small Acer tablet they had purchased.

I was miffed at first. They didn’t ask us if she could have an electronic tablet. Initially, I thought we would buy our daughter a tablet when she was a little older, maybe four or five. Admittedly, I worried about her being “spoiled” too early with such an expensive toy. I had nightmarish images of her presumptuously begging for the latest iPhone by the time she turns six.

However, the more my daughter used her new tablet to access applications, I was surprised by how easily she took to it. At age three, she navigates the operating system without needing much help at all. It took me some time to realize that ability was an actual, valuable skill. I started to revaluate my reasons for wanting to expose her to technology later as opposed to sooner.

For parents like me, part of the reluctance to give our kids an electronic device may stem from the way we frame its usage. I tended to view a tablet, smartphone, or smart watch, as a kind of toy, rather than a learning tool. Sure, Bean could have a child’s Leap Pad “laptop.” But a real one? Technology was a privilege when I was growing up. I have participated in conversations about tech use saying, “I didn’t get my first cell phone until I was 16.” It’s a very different world now than it was then.

What I found was that my fears of spoiling my daughter via technology are baseless. Children largely fare well when they are introduced to electronic devices at an early age. Technology helps children grapple with a world that is constantly upgrading. It puts that world at their fingertips even if they aren’t able access it locally.

Much has been written about the tech gap between Black and Latino children and their White counterparts. The disparity exists for numerous reasons tied to economic disenfranchisement and disadvantages in education. It is ever important we prepare Black children to be fluent in tech as the amount of tech-based jobs increase. When the question is not one of affordability, but of parenting choice, exposing children to technology early and often is a sound decision.

Certainly, we can ensure our children understand both gratitude and the value of technology. My husband and I do not allow her to use her tablet when she acts out. We are still careful that she does not cultivate an attitude of entitlement. But I am no longer afraid that she will become “spoiled” if we buy her electronic devices. In that sense, my in-laws were absolutely right to get her a tablet. We can never ruin our children with too much knowledge.

Запись Why My 2-Year-Old Daughter Has a Tablet впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Money habits are learned at a very young age. When children see mommy and daddy spend money, they do not actively see where the money comes from. They see deliveries come to the doorstep without knowing if the money was earned or donated.

Watching you spend, they can mistakenly think that money is infinite and meant just for spending. Online shopping with credit cards can add more confusion.

With all this is mind, it is imperative that we teach our babies about money. These simple activities will grant your preschooler a solid foundation of financial literacy that will help them build wealth the rest of their lives

1. First, teach them about choices. Whether they receive money as a gift or they earn it by completing chores, they should know they can save it, spend it, share it, or invest it.

2. To emphasize the concept of choice, create 4 money jars and designate one for saving, one for spending, one for investing and one for giving. You can also purchase a piggy bank or football with these categories pre-designated.

3. Teach them the concept of waiting for something they want to buy. Delayed gratification is a concept that is difficult for some adults to grasp. It is a true sign of maturity, and the sooner we teach it to our children the better. Fun saving goals include:
– a specific toy
– a new app for a tablet
– a trip somewhere like an amusement park or movies. Factor in the cost of extras like snacks and have them save up for that too.

4. Make savings charts for both you and your child, then hang it on the wall or refrigerator. Seeing the chart on a daily basis can help you and your child visualize your savings goals accomplish them. Let your child watch you save toward something while they do to inspire them.

5. Teach your child the importance of giving and donating. Periodically count the money in the sharing jar, and ask your child how they can use this money to help others. If you are a member of a church, temple or mosque you can include the teachings of your faith.

6. Read books about money like Trouble With Money or Dollar and Sense from the Berenstain Bears series.

7. Discuss Elmo’s Adventures in Spending, Saving, and Sharing, an audio podcast produced by Sesame Street to help preschoolers learn the value of money. Also these Sesame Street videos offer more lessons.

8. Teach them to decipher between a need and want. Reduce their desire for unnecessary new things by making sure any media your children consume is ad free. When children view advertisements, discuss how ads make us want to spend money and confuse our needs and wants.

9. Have frank discussions about money with your children often. Do not assume that financial matters are concepts they cannot understand. Make financial literacy a natural part of life.

10. Teach them about coupons and sales. If you are at a department store and have a coupon code on your phone, show them the receipt and let them know how the discount saved you money. If you are using a physical coupon, let them cut it out and present it to the cashier.

These practical everyday lessons go a long way to show, not just tell, children about financial responsibility. Along with their ABCs, teach them about money. If you don’t, who will?

Mommies, how do you incorporate lessons about money with you child?  Please share.

Запись 10 Ways to Teach Young Children the Value of Money впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Often times when people discuss whether a child is “ready” for Kindergarten the discussion is centered on academic skills such as letter recognition or counting.  However there non-academic skills that are necessary for your child to have a successful start in school.  One might argue they are more important than the academic skills often cited.

The ability to focus for 15 minutes — Many teachers have what is called circle time in the beginning of the school day.  This may consist of singing songs, taking turns speaking, hearing a story or another activity.  It requires that the child sit, focus and wait their turn to speak.  Disruptions can throw the whole class off into a different direction.  Take your child to a storytime activity at your local library or book store and observe his behavior to see if he is able to focus in a group setting.

The ability to let others shine — Classrooms can be crowded and teachers and the teacher’s aide cannot focus on every child every moment of the day.  Children need to understand that they will not always be the center of attention.  They will not get called on everytime the teacher asks someone to share, or every time they raise their hand, they will not always get picked to be the monitor.  This may have an emotional impact on children who may be used to more attention.  Discuss letting others shine with your child and let them know that other opportunities will arise and to keep participating in class.

Sharing and collaborative play — Students in Kindergarten will often have to share supplies like glue, scissors, crayons, space on an art project, ert.  They will also need to take turns with P.E. equipment like bikes and jump ropes.  You can teach this skill to your child while they are playing with a friend or sibling, or during a trip to the park. Teach them the importance of community property at the park, and encourage them to share toys with friends at home.

Controlling impulses — Children need to know how to keep their hands to themselves and respect others’ personal space.  They also need to control impulses like speaking out of turn and resisting making funny noises or sounds when it is inappropriate.

Independence with self-care tasks — Things like zipping up a jacket, tying shoes, buttoning up a shirt, putting away a backpack, and cleaning up after themselves are very important.  Teachers and their aides are not always available to help with these tasks and it can be frustrating for a child who is not able to complete them on their own.  Work with your child with these types of activities and resist the urge to help them when they are struggling.  Be patient and wait for them to figure things out on their own.

Recognition of authority figures — Children need to be able to follow the directions of adults who are not their parents, such as their teacher, teacher’s aide, cafeteria workers, etc.

No separation anxiety — Separation may not be much of an issue if your child has been in daycare and or pre-school prior to attending kindergarten, but it might be if this is your child’s first experience in a public or private school setting. A great way to facilitate a smooth separation is to use the “quick goodbye” technique. Children do better when a mom or dad drops them off quickly. Give a quick hug and say, “I’ll see you soon. Have a great day.” and leave. It is harder for children when parents linger in the classroom. Your child needs to know that you trust the teacher, and that he/she is safe and okay without you.

Bathroom etiquette — Of course children need to be potty trained, but they also need to be able to attend the restroom alone.  They should be able to use the seat covers, wipe themselves, flush, lock the door, and implement good hand washing skills as well.

Запись 8 Kindergarten Readiness Skills that are More Important than Letter Recognition and Counting впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.