articles to follow up Kim Payne

It was nice to have a conversation about Kim Payne's presentation on discipline when we had our informal work and play morning on Wednesday.  I like to make information available as much as possible.  I don't like to obligate people to read and read, so do not feel you have to read all three links I am making here.  I offer them for those parents who feel so inspired.

1.  Here is a bit of an article by Professor Carol Dweck, the Columbia professor Kim Payne spoke about.  She has studied the effects of different kinds of feedback on child development.

2.  Here is an article on the inverse power of praise by a mom and a journalist that brings together the research of Dweck and others.  Many parents in my classes in Baltimore liked to forward this article to relatives and friends.

3.  Here is part of a workshop I created on discipline.  This article on Making Choices About Choices was inspired by my work with Kim John Payne.  He often uses the metaphor of baskets in his work with classes and schools, but he uses them differently.  This is all to say that any objection you may have with this particular selection is my responsibility.

I look forward to seeing many of you as we work on school-wide projects at Saturday's work party.  I will have a sign-up list for cubby day (Tuesday) available on Saturday.  If you are not coming on Saturday, or if you prefer to reserve a time now, please email or call me to let me know what 15 minute segment between 10 and 11:30am on Tuesday, September 2, is best for you and your child to visit your child's cubby, drop off spare clothes and slippers, and take a quick tour of the classroom.  Because we are having another informal work and play day on Wednesday the 3rd, I do not think it imperative that you come to cubby time on Tuesday if you were not planning to come to school Tuesday for other reasons.  Kim Larson and I will also be in the Butterfly Room on Thursday morning, and I would be most willing to have a parent and child visit on Thursday morning for 15 minutes if that works best.  Please let me know.

Even though nursery families are not obligated to come to the opening day of school ceremony at 8:30am on Tuesday, September 2, you and/or your child may find it interesting.  Teachers will sing a song, the first grade teacher and 8th grade students will welcome the new first grade students, and you will get a sense of the school.  Of added interest for our nursery children is that I will be playing fiddle before (at about 8:20am) and perhaps after the ceremony.  

Butterfly Assistant for 2008-2009

Dear Families,

     I am pleased to introduce you to Kim Larson, our assistant for this school year.  Kim is the mother of 3 children, one of whom is entering first grade at WIWS this year.  Last year she had the opportunity to assist in the Early Childhood classrooms as a substitute and fell in love with the children and the wonderful mix of peaceful exuberance that they bring to each day.  She enjoys growing food and baking bread for her family.  Her home is just down the road from the school, so be sure to wave is you see her walking to class!

Upcoming Events for Nursery Families

Monday, August 18 -- 10am parent organized play group at Castle Park; kindergarten families also having a play group.

Wednesday, August 20 -- work and play day in Butterfly Room, 9:30 - 11:30am, for parents and children; siblings and relatives welcome. 

Friday, August 22 -- mini-morning to give parents and children a sense of how William teaches nursery and parent & child classes, 10:30am - 12:30pm; please RSVP to Adam at the school (341-5686).

Tuesday, August 26 -- not a nursery specific event, but I recommend attending Kim Payne's talk at the Langley Middle School at 6:30pm.  See www.wiws.org for more details.

Wednesday, August 27 -- work and play day in Butterfly Room, 9:30 -11:30am.

Thursday, August 28 -- parent organized play group at Castle Park, noon.  Please bring a picnic.  William will come after his faculty meetings (ideally 12:30pm).

Tuesday, September 2 -- Cubby Day, 10 - 11:30am.  Children come 1 or 2 at a time with parent(s) to bring slippers and rain gear and spare clothes in preparation for the first day of school.

Tuesday, September 2 -- 7-8pm, William Dolde giving public talk in Butterfly Room.  He will be glad to meet with nursery parents 1 on 1 or in small groups after the talk as well.

Wednesday, September 3 -- work and play day in Butterfly Room, 9:30 - 11:30am.

Thursday, September 4 -- Class Meeting (without children; babes in arms welcome) in the Butterfly Room, 7 to 8:30pm.

Monday, September 8 -- First day of school for nursery children without parents, 8:30-12:30.  Blessings on our year together.

Preparing for the School Year

Dear Families,

Welcome to the Butterfly Nursery for 2008-2009 at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School.

     As I mention in the August 15 Welcome Letter, here is an article from 1, 2, 3 . . . The Toddler Years by Irene Van der Zande:  "Saying Goodbye is Sad."  Nursery parents and I have found it helpful in past years during the first days of school.  The wisdom of Van der Zande, Magda Gerber, and others helps me realize that learning that love and comfort can come from teachers and peers as well as from parents and relatives is one of the most important lessons of an early childhood classroom.  Just as the work of the teachers nourishes the children at play, it helps all children in the class to see a child comforted by a teacher.