April 30, 2006 7:51 PM
Be part of my next book!
Heather's wonderful pictures of her daughter concentrating on the pegboard really inspired me! Sometimes my best ideas come from my readers :)
Remember I told you I'm signing a contract for two books on teaching preschoolers at home?
And remember the old bit of wisdom A picture's worth a thousand words?
Well, put those two togeter and you'll guess where I'm going with this. I was waiting to talk to my publisher before saying anything, but now I can. They have agreed to make the books big enough for pictures. I've already asked Heather for permission to use the ones she sent me - I would use them to illustrate the kind of concentration we're aiming to encourage and develop in our little ones.
So now I want to invite you to send me pictures too. Those of you who've read Small Beginnngs and are doing Small Beginnings exercises at home have an advantage because you are already practicing the things I need pictures of. But since I wrote Small Beginnings ten years ago - and especially since I began writing here at MommyLife, I've developed a lot more ideas on how mommies can use early education stuff like pegboards, puzzles, and lacing cards to accomplish some of the same goals: pincer grasp and left/right eye/hand coordination.
I am not just looking for the materials, but also the potentials we want to develop in our children - independence, order, concentration, self-control and service. You can find the kind of thing I mean in Small Beginnings or The Mommy Manual, and also by clicking on Categories above, then Montessori or Homeschooling. Also, check the entries under Barbara's Picks in the top left sidebar.
To be considered for use in the book, pictures must be shot with a high-resolution digital camera (if you need something higher than what you have, maybe you could rent or borrow one or ask a friend to help). Pictures with uncluttered or soft focus backgrounds are preferred - so that we can see children at work. Heather actually is going to work on the pictues she sent to make her daughter stand out more.
If anyone is using white laminate shelves with exercises displayed on them the way I describe in my book, I would love to have some shots of that. I also would love a picture of a child carrying a bell the way I described - trying not to make a sound. Also, don't forget things like peeling carrots, sweeping into a dustpan, unloading the dishwasher - anything that shows how capable young children are and which shows their pride in a job well done.
I will also need pictures of children being read to, children reading, children forming words with magnetic letters - or any other sort of moveable alphabet. Pictures of children writing. A leftie at work. And any other reading/writing activities.
With your permission, I will post pictures here - I'm going to ask my Blog Guru to make a place for a picture gallery. And as the deadline for my books approaches (8/1), I will pick the ones that fit best and ask for written permission to use them. When the books are published in summer 2007, I will give a free copy to anyone whose child's picture appears in either book. Promise.
I am so excited about this! I had planned to use my own children and grandchildren for these shots, but when I saw Heather's I realized the books would be much richer with a multitude of children whose mommies were also putting some of my ideas into practice.
Thanks so much, Heather for getting the ball rolling! And blessings to all of you for the coming week!
Posted in Books, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Barbara, that's wonderful! I'm sure we can come up with some photos around here!
Posted by: Shannon from Rocks in my Dryer | May 1, 2006 12:59 AM
I WISH I HAD A TODDLER NOW! What fun : ) That little girl and her pegboard is a peach.
Posted by: floorplan | May 1, 2006 9:09 AM
Barbara,
What books have you written? You have great idea's. Also what do you suggest? I have an 8 month old and babysit a 1 year old twice a week. When/How do I start to teach my baby the things he needs to know. I don't know where to start, or what to start with at his age. Please advise.
Thanks!
Kristina
paulsfamily@cox.net
www.newmommy4god.blogspot.com
Posted by: Kristina | May 3, 2006 11:55 PM
