Comments on: The Moments We Miss When We’re Busy Molding Our Kids

By: Shanika

Shanika — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 14:21:44 +0000

In reply to Christina @ montessoriishmom.com. What a wonderful blog post! As a teacher, and now, a parent, I believe the process should superceded the product and that children should have the freedom of self-expression. I came across this while looking for info from the RIE perspective about when to introduce art materials to young children. Could you help me with that?

By: Jamie Christensen

Jamie Christensen — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 22:17:15 +0000

We filled out a milestone paper at a children’s event for our then 3 yr old son. There were things we knew our son could do so we marked them honestly about how he could do them. Some of them were physical and we weren’t sure, so we made a game of it and asked him if he could do the different tasks. One of the questions was about if he could draw a face, he’s not done that before-we haven’t asked- and he was playing so we marked that he couldn’t as we didn’t think he could, most of his drawings are squiggles. The nurse looked at the responses and said he was doing well for his age, some places a little above average. One on the lower end of normal(the drawing part). a couple days later our son was drawing and he told me while he was drawing that he was drawing a face AND he totally did. It had ears and everything. That kid always surprises me when I am thinking he’s not quite at the stage of doing something and then he does it.

By: janet

janet — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 02:36:16 +0000

In reply to Abi north. Aww, it's my absolute pleasure, Abi! Thank you for your kind feedback.

By: Abi north

Abi north — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 20:35:40 +0000

When bits of my day with my two and three year old have been challenging and I recognize I’ve not had your advice in my head at the right time or behaved as patiently and as relaxed as I wanted to, you podcasts never fail to calm and re-center me. On a more positive note, I often DO manage to stop myself jumping in to solve their problems or arguments and to whisper “connect, connect” to myself when my three year old is whining. Thanks for your understanding advice and examples and the background chat that you give.

By: janet

janet — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 05:43:39 +0000

In reply to Rebecca. My pleasure! Please let me know how it goes. Be confident!

By: rick ackerly

rick ackerly — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 02:02:48 +0000

Very Important article. ““molding” should be reserved for ceramics projects and dental work.” I love it. Each child has in inner teacher, parents and other educators must partner-up with this inner teacher. Failure to do so causes all sorts of problems.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 10:06:46 +0000

In reply to janet. I will definitely try that approach next time he asks. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply Janet, I really appreciate it!

By: janet

janet — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 15:14:58 +0000

In reply to Rebecca. I would be very comfortable setting a boundary, while acknowledging his feelings. Matter-of-factly say something like: "You want me to draw the cow for you. I know Daddy does that, right? But I'm going to say no. " If he persists in asking, "You really want me to draw like Daddy does. I hear you." If you can clear and confident and then completely let this go, he will come back to drawing in time. But if you are uncomfortable and wanting to coax him to to drawing again, it will likely take longer.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 20:34:30 +0000

Oh this is all so true! Sadly my husband has recently been drawing for our 2.5 year old son when I’ve been working and now he won’t draw for himself anymore. He just brings his crayons and paper over to me and says “Can you draw a cow for me mama, like papa does?”… I’ve tried saying “I’d prefer to sit beside you while you draw” but he just says “No, you do it” – I don’t and then he often goes and plays with something else instead. I’m not sure what to do to encourage him as he used to love drawing.

By: janet

janet — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 04:10:06 +0000

In reply to Tracey. Beautiful insight! Yes, our children's perspectives are fascinating and truly one of the joys of parenting. It's so easy to get caught up in overriding and overlooking what children have to teach us.