Pathways of Wonder

Dear My Toy Garden friend,

     With the weather totally perfect outside this week, I feel the urge to wander.  To see what is around the next bend, to explore a new path.  Don't you?  From your first visit to My Toy Garden, you'll find that our store is a bit different.  Here you'll find the Pathways of Wonder.  This is the core of the store...it's heart.
     There are 7 Pathways of Wonder.  I created these based on my years in the classroom observing my students.  I taught in some very challenging schools and yet had some students who thrived in spite of tough obstacles.  Why?  What I saw was those that were successful were so because they had had an opportunity to explore many different areas to see where their natural gifts fell.  This is powerful knowledge to have!  Rather than be stuck in a box that says you must like crafts because you are a girl or you must like vehicles because you are a boy, we do children a major disservice when we consciously or subconsiously narrow their explorations.
    Everyone should have the opportunity to explore all 7 Pathways of Wonder and see what hidden gifts might be discovered!  Have you explored all 7?  Which one is your gift?  Which one is your child's?  Are you sure?  :-)  We look forward to your next wandering in the garden!

Literacy
     A child can never have enough books or music in their life!  From the love of language and real world experiences with letters and words to the fine motor skills of turning pages to the bonding that comes from enjoying them together, this is THE most important thing you can give your child.

Puzzles and Patterns
    All academic areas have a foundation in patterns.  The more your child can explore patterns as part of their play, the stronger their foundation for academic success will be.  Some puzzles are open-ended teaching creativity.  Others have one path to completion giving problem solving opportunities and  self esteem building that come from an excited “I did it!” as the last piece clicks into place.

Construction
    Future engineers and problem solvers come from those who build with a variety of materials.  Your child’s imagination is the only limit to his open-ended play teaching problem solving and creativity.

Games
     Through the play of games, we not only learn academic skills but also critical social skills such as sharing, turn taking, problem solving and how to win and lose gracefully.   Your child learns skills for making and retaining strong friendships through playing games.

Creative Expression
     Whether with crayons, pencils, glue or paper or dressing up as a fairy or a firefighter, your child learns to express emotions with this pathway.  While academics are important, healthy social emotional development is equally important.

Sensory Exploration
   As an infant, your child uses of all their senses as much as possible for brain development.  Look for toys that stimulate sight, sound, smells and textures.  This leads to science exploration in the older child helping them question and experiment with the world around them.

Active Play Toys
    With the lure of electronics calling our children and making our lives easier for the mere moment, you need to make a conscious decision to encourage active play in your child.  Obesity is a growing trend in our children that can be reversed with the healthy choices we help foster both in foods we eat and exercise we get.

Playfully,
Toylady Janet

That One Day in the Car Pool LIne

     Mrs. Jackson had been running all day.   She'd been late to work, in meetings all day, no time for lunch and now she was late for a doctor's appointment.  She inched her way along the car pool pickup line moving half a car length for each minute that ticked by.  She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, tapped her foot, muttered curse words.  When she finally reached Charlesa and Charles, she was a bursting volcano who unleased her full fury on the 2 teachers working the car pool lane that day.  The two tired teachers were speechless.
     Follow me to time six weeks earlier.  It's October and my 4th grade classroom is humming.  We are settled into routines, friendships made, expectations clear.  Life is good.  And then Charlesa arrives.  She is beautiful, tall, smart and has the art of head bobbing, back talking attitude perfected.
      Day One, Charlesa calls another child names. Day One, I call Mrs. Jackson and say how nice Charlesa's handwriting is.  I say, in our classroom, we speak respectfully to one another.
      Day Four, Charlesa "accidently" trips another student.  Day Four, I call Mrs. Jackson to say Charlesa is a great reader.  I say, in our classroom, we are respectful with our hands and feet.
    Day Ten, Charlesa tears a student's art project.  Day Ten, I call Mrs. Jackson to say how Charlesa does great arriving to class on time.  I say, in our classroom, we are respectful of other's things.
    And so it goes, day after day for the first six weeks of her arrival.  A battle of the wills.  Her need to be noticed.  My need for respectful behavior.  My relationship with both mother and daughter beginning to grow.
      And then the day of the Mt. Vesuvius car pool pickup.  The 2 tired teachers told me the tale.  I call Mrs. Jackson.  "Tell me what happened," I begin.  I listen.  She vents.  My turn.
     "I want you to know Mrs. Jackson, those 2 teachers you tore apart are good friends of mine.  The safety of children at the end of the day is a big responsibility that they take very seriously.  I'm sorry you were running late.  Your words were very hurtful.  The worst part is that as you spewed hateful words on them you were being watched by four little eyes.  Four little eyes who look up to you and model themselves after you.  Is this what you want them to learn?"  Silence.  I feel a shift.  We say our goodbyes.
   The next morning before school starts, Mrs. Jackson shows up in my classroom with four little eyes alongside and 2 notes written in her handwriting apologizing to the 2 teachers.  She explained she was taking them with her to apologize in person to each teacher.  One victory for us all.
   Teachers do so much more than teach abc's and 123's.  Teachers guide young souls to grapple with academics but also tough character lessons as they go.  A skilled teacher touches a child's life not for a month or year but for a lifetime.  On this week of Teacher Appreciation, take a moment to write in your own handwriting a few words of sincere appreciation for what a teacher has done for you.  I suspect, they, like me and the file folder of notes I have tucked away, will treasure it forever.
Playfully,
Toylady Janet

My Toy Garden is happy to help you celebrate the special teachers in your life with perfect classroom gifts or My Toy Garden gift certificates to let them shop on their own.

The Boy Who Almost Wasn't

  Kristy was excited about the days and months ahead!  She had a terrific husband who she was moving into a new dream house with.   Hannah, her 18-month-old, was adorable and everything a toddler could be.  Kristy was also expecting their 2nd child...a son...Mason. 
      All was great for the first 24 weeks until Kristy had pre term labor sending her to the doctor's office.  There he told them that they could have a procedure to stop the labor and keep it at bay for several weeks.  "It won't really matter though," he continued.  "The fetus has suffered a Stage 4 stroke and is severely brain damaged.  He will probably not live and, if he does, he'll most likely be totally noncommuicative and immobile."  Words a parent hears in their worst nightmares.  
    Kristy and her husband decided to follow their instincts and let the pregnancy take its natural course believing that things would be okay.  After 3 months of complete bedrest, Mason arrived.  As the doctor's has predicted, he was on complete life support unable to breathe.   Kristy and her husband still did not give up hope.  At two weeks old, Mason suddenly began to respond.  He was taken off all of the life support equipment and came home soon after.  
    That was 5 years ago.  Doctors will tell you that Mason is missing part of his brain. That there is no way he should be able to talk, to read, to walk.   He does all those things and so much more!  He is a kindergartener in Westfield, is right on target with his peers academically, got in trouble for "running" down the hallway and plays baseball.  When you believe that life is impossible, think of Mason and how this impossible boy is, oh so very full of...possibilities!  
Playfully,
Toylady Janet

Crackers in My Pantyhose

     In a time not so long ago, the conversation went like this.  "First, please put these crackers in this baggie and mush them up.  Good! Let's throw them in this blender and add a little water.  Definitely helping now.  Hmm...let's add some green and red food coloring for some enzyme action.  Now we'll really break things down with a good whirl in the blender.  What's next? Oh yeah, time for a long journey for the crackers.  Let's pour them into these pantyhose and who can help me squeeze, squeeze, squeeze them on their way."
   "Ewwww!"  would always come the cries from my class.  Teaching the digestive system was one of my favorite units.  The students while protesting one moment and giggling the next would help me send the crackers through our pretend large intestine and out into a wet plop at the end.  The role of their teeth, tongues, saliva, stomach, digestive enzymes and intestines etched in their memories in a way no book passage ever could.
  Science, what an amazing world of wonders it holds!  I used to run a K-5 science lab in my pre mommy days and loved it!  My goal was to give boys AND girls access to the wonder that was all around them. To bring to life the nonfiction books and science passages.  A recent conversation with a customer was about how, as a child, she went to summer school and made a pond.  Literally made a pond.  Dug it out and filled it. Learning about the plants and animals needed for a healthy ecosystem.  Memories very vivid for her to this day.
   This is the kind of play My Toy Garden encourages.  We have many great inspiration pieces in our science section that can turn a seed into a world of questions and observations that are way, way more fun than any app out there!  There is the new Root Viewer, Butterfly Hatching Kits, Squishy Brain, Yuck Buckets, Science Behind Magic Tricks and some great Magic School Bus kits from volcanos and dinosaurs to flight and space.  You haven't done any science with your child?  Don't miss this Pathway of Wonder to see if there might be hidden talents and interests just waiting to be discovered!  See you in the garden very soon!

Playfully,
Toylady Janet

In My Daughter's Eyes

Dear My Toy Garden friends!
     This week I have a treat from you!  A blog from a friend of mine who I used to teach with in Atlanta.  I loved what she had to say and had to share!  Enjoy!
   Ellie writes, "I’m the mother of a beautiful, busy 16 month old.  Everyday SG is trying to do new things and she amazes me each day!  I’ve recently noticed something- something that has made me stop and think.  SG is becoming my little copycat.  She does what I do and she sounds exactly like me!  Sweet, but kind of terrifying.  I’ll explain.
At first when SG said “Yeah” we thought it was the cutest thing in the world.  And then she started saying  “Uh-huh” and “Mm-hmm”.  We cooed and cheered and she used it even more.  Then I tried to get her to say yes and please and it was a no go.  Just yeah, mm-hmm, and uh-huh.  I was puzzled.  My sweet baby refused to say please!  Then one day while talking to the Huzz, I caught myself saying yeah.  Over the next few weeks, I realized I say yeah, uh-huh, and mm-hmm A LOT.  Confession time:  I also realized I hardly ever say yes or please!  How terrible!  Oh, I ask nicely.  I promise I do.  I just forget to say please.  So how can I expect SG to do something I’m not modeling for her?  This has really made me think.  I’m now trying to say please and yes (or because of my Southern roots, yes m’am).
It’s made me think about other things- mainly the way I react to things.  I tend to overreact or screech or just be too loud.  I don’t want SG to pick up my bad habits so I’m trying to be a better example for her.
Not everything she’s picked up from me is “bad”- that isn’t the intention of this post.  But she is a very accurate mirror for me.  She does sweet little things as well- gives lots of hugs and sweet little kisses throughout the day.  She tries to mimic the way I brush my teeth as she attempts to move her tiny hand with her Elmo toothbrush across her little teeth.  She says “Amen!” when we finish praying together.  She pats my back while giving me hugs…all things I do to her, in front of her, or for her.
Whenever I wash my hands, wherever she is, she stops and rubs her little hands together while giving me the biggest cheesy grin in the world.  My baby girl is watching me.  I want to be a good mother, a Godly mother, to my child.  I’m thankful that she has made me reflect on my ways, be they good or bad.  And here’s hoping they are good!
Have you seen yourself mirrored in your children?  Was what you saw in them what you expected to see?  I’d love to hear your stories.  Please share!"
   Can you relate?  I know I can!  Please visit her blog and share your thoughts!

Playfully,
Toylady Janet

The Benefits of Boredom

Dear My Toy Garden friends!
   This week I have a small challenge for you..ready?  Grab your smart phone.  Set a time on it for 10 minutes.  Push Start.  Now do nothing until it goes off.  No cheating.  No checking your email.  No peeking at Facebook.  No playing a quick game of Draw Something.  When is the last time you've given yourself the gift of  doing nothing?  When do the children in your life have true down time?
   My sister and her 3 girls were down recently to visit for a long weekend bringing the total in our home to 10 active bodies and minds.  We had a great time with each other.  I did notice though from most of the beings in the house that the minute conversation lagged or activity lulled, out popped the smart phones.  There were some fun conversations about pictures to guess on Draw Something that required interaction with another person but mostly though it was solitary play surrounded by others in solitary play.
    I invite you this week to ponder the benefits of boredom.  What if the smart phones were locked away for a day..gasp..okay, an afternoon.  What would time be filled with then?  Perhaps a puzzle, a real game you can move pieces you can physically touch,  a conversation to learn something new about someone else.  I'm as guilty as the next person about the need to have my Iphone near.  It needs to be a conscious choice to be more than 5 feet from it.  
  As a classroom teacher, I often said, "As long as you have a brain, you are never bored."  I'd teach them they could always wonder why..wonder how..wonder if.  I wonder how many tiles there are the ceiling?  I wonder how long it'll take that ant to walk the whole length of the classroom?  I wonder if I can bounce a ball 100 times?  Questions build the brain.  Questions connect us to others.  Questions turn boredom into revelations and renewal.
    Take a vacation today...take 10 minutes to do nothing.  Rest, renew, reconnect and wonder away.  

Playfully,
Toylady Janet

1 in 88? 1 in 88! Whoa!

Dear My Toy Garden friends!
    "Tell us more about your child."  
    "Well, he's 5 years old.  Obsessed with the color red.  Nonverbal.  Limited fine motor skills.  No social skills.  Not potty trained."  This is sadly far too common of a conversation we have at My Toy Garden with our special needs families.  There are far too many families out there struggling with how to help their child who has been diagosed with one of the many EIEIO letter combinations created in the last several years.
    From the beginning of my teaching career in 1989 to when I left 6 years ago, I saw a dramatic change in the number of special needs learners in my classroom.  Since I've left I fear it has only escalted even faster.  The Autism rate 6 years ago was 1 in 254.  Recently that number changed to 1 in 88.  Pause please.  1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism.  How much lower does that number need to go before we, as a society, take notice and, more importantly, take action!  April is Autism ACTION month!
   The good news is that we can take action.  There is much that can be done to make a difference!  I recently learned about an organization called TACA (Talk about Curing Autism) and they are fantastic!  It's a national organization with tons of information and support. There is a local Indy group that meets once a month in Noblesville.  They offer peer mentors to help new families cope with all the changes. Soo many great things!
  We are very excited to partner with them this month and for months to come!  Next Thursday, April 12, from 7-8 pm one of the coordinators will be here to do a parent workshop titled "Is Autism Treatable?" I've heard her speak before and guarantee tons of helpful info for all special needs families!  You will also get a 1 inch thick resource book for free when you attend that night.  Please rsvp by hitting reply or going to our Facebook page.
   Later,  on Thurs. May 3 from 6:30 - 8 pm we'll be hosting a Special Needs Family Social.  All families are invited to laugh, learn, connect, play and be inspired.  Games, crafts and gluten free snacks are provided.  Hugs to all!  Let's ignite the conversations in our busy world and make that 1 in 88 number go up instead of down for a change!

Playfully,
Toylady Janet