Monday, February 25, 2019

Paper or computer, just get it down... and come on down to Lodge of Des Peres

When I taught preschoolers, I loved to see their faces when they actually understood a concept or read a simple word, such as CAT. It was very rewarding to see their brains in action.

It has always been my belief  that literacy is the most important skill we can teach little ones. And phonics instruction is the way most kids learn easily and feel most successful.

Liam is making me very proud. I was doing worksheets with him, although I completely disagree with the exclusive use of work sheets and table work. Kid's finger and hand muscles aren't well developed at 3& 4 years old. I always made my worksheets floor size throughout the year and then after a year of developing finger/hand small muscles through finger plays, play dough squishing, and games, we graduated to worksheets and table top work the last month of school.

Liam was finger painting and creating a masterpiece with foil hearts and sparkly confetti for his mom. He asked how to spell some words. Then he said, "Never mind, I'll do it.

He filled an entire page, line after line with scribbles. Scribbling with intent is a precursor to writing
and spelling. He is now driving every one crazy with one sentence, "How do you spell ____?"

I am so pleased to witness his interest in learning and reading.

If you are a writer,  scribble ideas, jot a word that intrigues you. As William Wordsworth once said, "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."  

I am speaking on the topic of freelancing creative non-fiction, at St. Louis Writer's Guild on Saturday 3/2/19 

10 a.m. - 12 noon at Lodge of Des Peres, at 1050 Des Peres Rd. St. Louis, MO 63131


Free for SLWG members/ $5.00 for non-members.

6 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...

I wish I could attend, but I will be having lunch in Columbia, Missouri with an author and 7 of my students.

Yes, you should be so proud and thrilled and joyous when it comes to Liam. He is one bright little boy.

Val said...

You have given Liam the joy of learning, and he will go far! Hope you have a good turnout for your event!

Mary Horner said...

Wish I could go, your talk sounds great. I love creative nonfiction!

Lynn said...

I plan on being there!

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

I bet that was a terrific workshop. As usual, I'm too far South! And I love that Wordsworth quote. (And doesn't he have a great surname?!)

Connie said...

Liam is a bright boy. I'm sure he is even more so because he is lucky enough to have you as his grandma.