Setting Goals for Spring Hollow Gallery
Sunday Morning, August 9, 2015
Dear world,
Nothing has been written on here for a long time so I thought I would begin again. My last blog was exactly a year ago. So I begin again with a commitment to write regularly, not worrying about what other people will think but rather having free expression of my thoughts. I try to wake up every morning and sit with my coffee looking over the great Pacific Ocean and begin again by writing a few words or many.
I am so fortunate to live in California. Much has happened in this last year. I am alone again, alone in the sense that I am not just with one person. I'm not really alone, I have many loved ones around me.
Although that is one change in my life, the biggest change in my life is opening an art gallery, Spring Hollow Gallery. I like to say that I brought a piece of Spring Hollow to California. What is it about me that I have to open new spaces, I suppose it is a desire to create something totally independent, without the demands and expectations from other people.
And maybe that is why I'm alone again to fulfill what I feel is my purpose in life. I do want a companion but I want no one in my life to take away my independence. I am reminded of the teacher phrase "effective use of time" and I have no time for people who are going to slow down this journey of fulfilling my purpose.
My goal for the gallery is to truly be an extension of the Spring Hollow Approach. It is exactly that, encouraging the independence of free expression, as like the goal I am reaching for in my own self. I wish to encourage the heart and soul of the individual and bring out the artist in each of us. As like the definition of education derived from the word "educe" meaning 'to pull out instead of to pour in." We have each had too much "pouring in" in our lives from others. If you are a child of three or one of 63, it is an important goal.
Monday morning, August 10, 2015
I am pondering this morning about how to make this gallery last forever. Speaking to others and sharing my thoughts and visions help. To me this blog is just that, knowing that others are reading it so respond to this piece if you wish to give me some of your wise feedback. I was sharing with a friend last night and realized in some ways I think of the gallery as a charity, a charity to give of my time to support the arts, the love for the arts, to pull out this ability to be freely creative in all of us. I am using my tools and my background of constructivist education and the Spring Hollow Approach to do this.
I have not created the gallery to make money, so what are its purposes? It is good to force my self to write so I can be clear on my vision which is based on my overall goals for the rest of my life. It is hard to go there because of my first and primay goal of living in the present and trusting I will be led into the future, trusting I am on the right path as my chosen logo, "the innukshuk" symbolizes.
So maybe the best way may to make a list. Here goes:
Even though it is not there for profit, it would be good to break even so I do feel I am not throwing money away so that the gallery can live on as a charity.
To break even, there is a goal of making money through sales and art classes.
And like the "innukshuk" the gallery is supported by the collaboration from others. The logo artist and I are in collaboration to reproduce the logo to sell in a Canadian Innuksuk gallery, this may be one means to financially support the gallery.
Just a simple task of making a sign that we offer art classes and hang outside is a good one. Other ways of advertising in a cost effective way is good.
Letting others know that I am expressing and brainstorming ways on this blog so that they can enter into the conversation.
Okay, alreeady I have some first steps, let's see where this first step leads us and the gallery. This reminds me of my teachings through the inspiration of Carlina Rinaldi that we must take this small step to initiate as like a dance, take one step and have the others in collaboration take the step to scaffold into a bigger idea toward fulfilling our dreams. I purposely refer to this process as "dream catching" not "problem solving" because it fits more with the theory of the "power of positive thinking."
Thursday, August 13, 2015
I have already skipped two days of not writing so I have changed the words above to "try" not "will" write daily.
Listening to NPR the other day, there was a piece about our nationwide teacher shortage. California is one of the states high on the list with this problem to the point that we are advertising for "our" teachers through Craig's List. I stress the word "our" because teachers are "our" future, as children are "our" future and teachers can make or break as parents can the wellbeing of "our" children and therefore "our" future. What a telling symbolic representation of lowering the standard of teaching to advertise on Craig"s List. So considering this, I realize I do have tools in my experience to share "constructivist education" with teachers who are coming into our field who may be missing this effective approach to foster healthy children in their own teacher education programs or may be missing teacher edcuation all together. So it is time to make the first steps to contact schools to invite my self into the lives of these teachers. I have the perfect venue to do this in Spring Hollow Gallery. Does any one reading this have any connections for me in our local Ventura education systems? Please introduce them to me!
A few words have been written, I will "try" to write more tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 18
I am back on the wheel and it feels good. I feel like when you are centering a piece of clay, it helps to center your life, as all creating is a form of meditation. And having taken a break from group meditation the last two weeks, it felt so good to go to my temple last night and meditate. My life is more centered and content. And I am up to seven thrown bowls and counting. The gallery is closed on Monday and Tuesday and I have discovered that these two days are not as content and centered for me. But it is good to make my self take a break and stay away if not for the sole reason of realizing how much I love it. Don't know how much you love until it is gone.
I am working on bringing people into the gallery to work toward this goal of its survival. I have made several events on facebook and a few say they will be there. I have created a lunch meditation time on Wednesday at noon, a group named "Artists working side by side" where artists which is everyone of us are invited to come to the gallery and create their own works in company of fellow artists, and I put an early invite to remind everyone of our First Fridays. Although these events do not cost, I am inviting donations to collaborate in working toward the primary goal of paying gallery rent so it can survive.
Friday, September 5
We had five in our "Artists Working Side by Side" yesterday. One thing I noticd while we are working side by side, we come up with big and great ideas through our collaboration. It has to be the process of creating to get those dreams articulated so that they can become reality.
One idea I must put in writing so this old mind does not forget: the creation of a childrens book with illustrations from various artists who are represented at Spring Hollow. I must go through boxes and locate the manuscripts I wrote years ago when I took off a year from teaching to do so. I look forward this process becoming a reality. And again I ask for your input!
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Global recognition of Spring Hollow:
Below is the article that just came out published in Bambi magazine in Thailand, a magazine for parents of young children. I was emailed before planning last year's trip to Thailand by Dina, the editor of Bambi. She discovered Spring Hollow from our website, www.springhollowschool.com and was requesting to interview me via email about our Reggio Emilia inspirations. I told her she could interview me during my month long visit to Thailand last November. We sat for three hours over coffee at a restaurant in Bangkok talking about Spring Hollow. Below is the excellent outcome of this interview by Dina:
Can Children Lead Their Own Learning?
38 • July - August 2014
In our on going educational series, we explore the Reggio Emilia educational approach and its image of a powerful child.
By Dina Kassymbekova
Photo credits: Spring Hollow Early Learning Center (there are photos of Spring Hollow throughout the article)
Child-centered has become a popular word in the world of education. Most schools and approaches claim to be “child-centered”. The term is used to state that students are respected and seen as individuals; sometimes it stands for active learning; and it is also used to express that teachers consider children’s interests, while shaping the curriculum. The Reggio Emilia approach takes the concept of child-centered learning one step further. Reggio schools don’t have a pre-planned curriculum. They develop it out of children’s individual interests. This innovative approach is based on the idea that children don’t need to be taught particular knowledge, instead, they need adults’ support to learn from their own play and exploration.
History and philosophy
It all started in Reggio Emilia, a town in the northern Italy, and its surroundings. After the end of World War II, a group of teachers and parents motivated to provide their children with a better future built a system of preschools, which offered children beautiful and nurturing environments and a non-traditional approach to learning. The inspiration came from Loris Malaguzzi, a young teacher, who supported the ideas that children learn best through active participation and that play is an important part of learning. Malaguzzi believed children possess great potential and resources.
Outdoor play area Mud kitchen (photo from Spring Hollow)
In Reggio Emilia schools students learn in context of long-term projects with the ideas for which they come up in collaboration with peers and teachers. In the same way they plan the projects and work on them. A teacher stays with the class for a period of three years to be able to learn to know the children and to build a relationship of trust.
In the late 1980s, the Reggio Emilia approach received international recognition and now there are Reggio inspired schools (mostly preschools for children up to 6 years of age) in different parts of the world.
Curriculum
The curriculum in Reggio schools emerges from children’s interests. Kate Ratliff, the founder of the Spring Hollow Early Learning Center in Franklin, Tennessee, United States uses the term scaffolding to explain this. Teachers recognize and respect the children’s own ideas and interests and build the learning around them, helping to bring the child’s knowledge to the next level. They support their students when needed but give them as much freedom as possible.
How does it work in practice? “There is more post-planning than pre- planning,” says Kate. While children play and explore, teachers observe them, take notes and pictures. During “collaboration meetings” teachers sit back and let children discuss. Peers talk and listen to each other and teachers document the process. In these discussions the ideas for projects are developed. Most of the projects last for several weeks. Different projects might go on simultaneously. The focus is not on the facts that are learned or results that are achieved but on the process of learning itself.
Examples of projects could be art installations; designing of houses, castles, bridges, cities etc.; making journals, calendars or charts; designing bags, toys and Christmas decorations. In Spring Hollow, children designed and built a playground for their pet guinea pig. Art is considered a natural way for children to express themselves. Children paint, work with clay, create 3-dimensional art out of natural and recycling materials, etc.
Teachers document children’s thoughts, ideas and work in journals, tapes, pictures and videos to make the learning visible and to allow the children to “revisit” their projects and reflect on them later.
Environment
A Reggio environment is beautiful. The original Reggio Emilia schools are located in natural surroundings and have a big outdoor space. Reggio classrooms are designed to encourage children to explore and communicate. Children can choose between different stations like dramatic area, dress up center, block area, trains, puzzles, science center, etc. One of the typical Reggio features is an art studio, an atelier. An atelier offers children a variety of materials to express themselves and the concepts they are learning through art. Reggio schools usually display their students’ work to allow the children to take pride in it and to show it to the parents.
Teacher’s role
“Observing, listening, documenting, and giving specific encouragement,” Kate lists teacher’s responsibilities, “understanding and validating the point of view of the child; being aware of your own nonconscious values that may keep you from accepting the true construction of learning from the child; knowing when to hold and fold.”
Parents’ involvement
In Reggio schools, parents are traditionally deeply involved in the school life. In Spring Hollow, parents volunteer to take care of animals, supply the school with resources and get involved in developing ideas for the curriculum and even teaching in the classrooms. Schools will organize education and workshops for parents.
Benefits for children
“Children learn to be true to themselves, not to what adults want them to be,” says Kate. She tells how a former student at Spring Hollow, who changed to a traditional school describes the differences:
“At my school now, we can only go down the slide; at Spring Hollow, we can go up the slide too. At my school now, we have to swing only on our bottoms. At Spring Hollow, we can swing all different ways. At my school now, we cannot hold hands. At Spring Hollow we can hold hands.”
Criticism
Critics say the Reggio approach is missing a structure, which is necessary to provide teachers with a framework to ensure classrooms do not become too chaotic. In some countries, preschools are expected to prepare children to school. Reggio education may not meet this demand.
Another point of criticism is the Reggio approach is not formalized. There is no accreditation system for schools and training requirements for teachers. As a result, it can be difficult to find out if a school truly follows the Reggio inspired schools.
Finally, there is the controversial question: Is it possible to transfer an educational approach which originated in a small Italian village and is deeply connected to its environment and community to other places in the world, which have different cultures.
Resources:
www.reggiochildrenfoundation. org The website of the non- profit foundation that aims to promote the values of the Reggio Emilia approach. Contains short information about the approach and Loris Malaguzzi.
http://reggioalliance.org/reggio- emilia/international-network/ lists organizations that represent Reggio approach in different countries.
http://www.springhollowschool.com The website of the Spring Hollow Early Learning Center in Franklin, Tennessee, US, a school inspired by Reggio Emilia education.
http://www.aneverydaystory.com An Australian mother inspired by Reggio approach blogs about homeschooling her two children.
Interviews on YouTube with Carla Rinaldi, pedagogical consultant to Reggio Children and professor at the University of Modena and Reggio in the faculty of Science and Early Education
www.bambiweb.org
Below is the article that just came out published in Bambi magazine in Thailand, a magazine for parents of young children. I was emailed before planning last year's trip to Thailand by Dina, the editor of Bambi. She discovered Spring Hollow from our website, www.springhollowschool.com and was requesting to interview me via email about our Reggio Emilia inspirations. I told her she could interview me during my month long visit to Thailand last November. We sat for three hours over coffee at a restaurant in Bangkok talking about Spring Hollow. Below is the excellent outcome of this interview by Dina:
Can Children Lead Their Own Learning?
38 • July - August 2014
In our on going educational series, we explore the Reggio Emilia educational approach and its image of a powerful child.
By Dina Kassymbekova
Photo credits: Spring Hollow Early Learning Center (there are photos of Spring Hollow throughout the article)
Child-centered has become a popular word in the world of education. Most schools and approaches claim to be “child-centered”. The term is used to state that students are respected and seen as individuals; sometimes it stands for active learning; and it is also used to express that teachers consider children’s interests, while shaping the curriculum. The Reggio Emilia approach takes the concept of child-centered learning one step further. Reggio schools don’t have a pre-planned curriculum. They develop it out of children’s individual interests. This innovative approach is based on the idea that children don’t need to be taught particular knowledge, instead, they need adults’ support to learn from their own play and exploration.
History and philosophy
It all started in Reggio Emilia, a town in the northern Italy, and its surroundings. After the end of World War II, a group of teachers and parents motivated to provide their children with a better future built a system of preschools, which offered children beautiful and nurturing environments and a non-traditional approach to learning. The inspiration came from Loris Malaguzzi, a young teacher, who supported the ideas that children learn best through active participation and that play is an important part of learning. Malaguzzi believed children possess great potential and resources.
Outdoor play area Mud kitchen (photo from Spring Hollow)
In Reggio Emilia schools students learn in context of long-term projects with the ideas for which they come up in collaboration with peers and teachers. In the same way they plan the projects and work on them. A teacher stays with the class for a period of three years to be able to learn to know the children and to build a relationship of trust.
In the late 1980s, the Reggio Emilia approach received international recognition and now there are Reggio inspired schools (mostly preschools for children up to 6 years of age) in different parts of the world.
Curriculum
The curriculum in Reggio schools emerges from children’s interests. Kate Ratliff, the founder of the Spring Hollow Early Learning Center in Franklin, Tennessee, United States uses the term scaffolding to explain this. Teachers recognize and respect the children’s own ideas and interests and build the learning around them, helping to bring the child’s knowledge to the next level. They support their students when needed but give them as much freedom as possible.
How does it work in practice? “There is more post-planning than pre- planning,” says Kate. While children play and explore, teachers observe them, take notes and pictures. During “collaboration meetings” teachers sit back and let children discuss. Peers talk and listen to each other and teachers document the process. In these discussions the ideas for projects are developed. Most of the projects last for several weeks. Different projects might go on simultaneously. The focus is not on the facts that are learned or results that are achieved but on the process of learning itself.
Examples of projects could be art installations; designing of houses, castles, bridges, cities etc.; making journals, calendars or charts; designing bags, toys and Christmas decorations. In Spring Hollow, children designed and built a playground for their pet guinea pig. Art is considered a natural way for children to express themselves. Children paint, work with clay, create 3-dimensional art out of natural and recycling materials, etc.
Teachers document children’s thoughts, ideas and work in journals, tapes, pictures and videos to make the learning visible and to allow the children to “revisit” their projects and reflect on them later.
Environment
A Reggio environment is beautiful. The original Reggio Emilia schools are located in natural surroundings and have a big outdoor space. Reggio classrooms are designed to encourage children to explore and communicate. Children can choose between different stations like dramatic area, dress up center, block area, trains, puzzles, science center, etc. One of the typical Reggio features is an art studio, an atelier. An atelier offers children a variety of materials to express themselves and the concepts they are learning through art. Reggio schools usually display their students’ work to allow the children to take pride in it and to show it to the parents.
Teacher’s role
“Observing, listening, documenting, and giving specific encouragement,” Kate lists teacher’s responsibilities, “understanding and validating the point of view of the child; being aware of your own nonconscious values that may keep you from accepting the true construction of learning from the child; knowing when to hold and fold.”
Parents’ involvement
In Reggio schools, parents are traditionally deeply involved in the school life. In Spring Hollow, parents volunteer to take care of animals, supply the school with resources and get involved in developing ideas for the curriculum and even teaching in the classrooms. Schools will organize education and workshops for parents.
Benefits for children
“Children learn to be true to themselves, not to what adults want them to be,” says Kate. She tells how a former student at Spring Hollow, who changed to a traditional school describes the differences:
“At my school now, we can only go down the slide; at Spring Hollow, we can go up the slide too. At my school now, we have to swing only on our bottoms. At Spring Hollow, we can swing all different ways. At my school now, we cannot hold hands. At Spring Hollow we can hold hands.”
Criticism
Critics say the Reggio approach is missing a structure, which is necessary to provide teachers with a framework to ensure classrooms do not become too chaotic. In some countries, preschools are expected to prepare children to school. Reggio education may not meet this demand.
Another point of criticism is the Reggio approach is not formalized. There is no accreditation system for schools and training requirements for teachers. As a result, it can be difficult to find out if a school truly follows the Reggio inspired schools.
Finally, there is the controversial question: Is it possible to transfer an educational approach which originated in a small Italian village and is deeply connected to its environment and community to other places in the world, which have different cultures.
Resources:
www.reggiochildrenfoundation. org The website of the non- profit foundation that aims to promote the values of the Reggio Emilia approach. Contains short information about the approach and Loris Malaguzzi.
http://reggioalliance.org/reggio- emilia/international-network/ lists organizations that represent Reggio approach in different countries.
http://www.springhollowschool.com The website of the Spring Hollow Early Learning Center in Franklin, Tennessee, US, a school inspired by Reggio Emilia education.
http://www.aneverydaystory.com An Australian mother inspired by Reggio approach blogs about homeschooling her two children.
Interviews on YouTube with Carla Rinaldi, pedagogical consultant to Reggio Children and professor at the University of Modena and Reggio in the faculty of Science and Early Education
www.bambiweb.org
Monday, December 9, 2013
Writing in Bangkok
Sitting on the balcony overlooking the variety of palm trees and listening to the birds who inhabit them, I think of the comfortable place these sounds and smells place me. There is the sound of the broom sweeping across the pavement on the grounds below. These sounds and smells take me back to my childhood growing up in Pakistan during very formative years of my live, 12 to 15 years old. I think too it is significant that when my family resided in Pakistan, we stayed there for the entire three years without returning to the U.S. This extended time with no breaks must have influenced who I am today.
Sitting on this balcony in Bangkok takes me back to my childhood in Pakistan. My childhood in Pakistan is why I was drawn to living in Bangkok in the early eighties. It was the connections from Pakistan that fulfilled my desire to get a teaching job at the international school, parents of my friend who I used to sit on the rooftops with in Lahore, sharing our future dreams, our ideals and ideas. When I was searching overseas sites for a teaching job, my childhood friend's parents were living in Bangkok at the time and convinced the international school I would be an asset to them as a Kindergarten teacher.
I am convinced that those years in Pakistan were the happiest years of my childhood. It must have been where I felt safety, pleasure, and comfort. Just as we refer to eating certain food as "comfort food." These tastes connect us to fond memories, usually going back to our childhood.
Are not these "comfort moments" in our present life scaffolded upon happy moments from our childhood? And are these "nothing without joy" moments based on our feelings of love and acceptance from others in our lives, our family and friends? It affirms why my career has been based on an education philosophy holding front and center, the value of love shown by our reciprocity with others. In these formative childhood years in Pakistan, there was more time to truly and deeply communicate with each other. In those days back in the sixties, there was not much technology obtrusion in the states, and definitely none in Pakistan, not even television. So our entertainment was with each other between family and friends. It must have been the place where my family was happiest.
In my first time returning to Bangkok last year after twenty eight years, I wrote that I felt this energy of familiarity and comfort here as soon as I got outside the airport waiting for my taxi. I also felt that there was a presence with me even though I was alone. Maybe this was my mother who passed on to her eternal life over a decade ago. I know she is with me in spirit and I feel her more in these moments sitting on this balcony overlooking the familiarity of Asia that arouses all my senses and feelings of peace. Was Pakistan the happiest time for you, Mom? I will ask my Dad but I think my mom is saying
"Yes."
Sitting on this balcony with the long distance view of Bangkok brings back these "nothing without joy" moments of sitting on the rooftops in Pakistan. It must be why I prefer a home with a long distance view like in California, where I can see the waves of the ocean a half mile away from our fourth floor apartment on the side of the hill.
My trips to Bangkok are a place I can be without obtrusions, bombarded by the every day decisions of life. I make this vow to my self to take this feeling where ever I go. Speaking to a friend in California today, she expressed her crazy busy life, and when I gave her my expression of the value of slowing down and breathing, she responded, yes, I know these things but I forget. I don't want to forget.
Sitting with this long distance view of the tropics here in Bangkok or of the waves in Ventura, I will pause and "not forget" to "slow down" and enjoy this present moment.
It is this same place where we can truly "be" with children. They give us this time and reminder to "slow down" and enjoy the moment, they do it so well and being in their presence reminds of this so we don't "forget" to do it in our own lives.
Now I will go to a place where I will be bombarded by obtrusion but joy filled ones, the eb and flow of life. It is like the waves that come and go. I think I will go explore Bangkok's China Town, and see what treasures I can find to create my art, it is this place of creating that puts us into our soul and heart.
And when we are in our "inner soul" a word another dear friend expressed to me in our recent reciprocity of conversation, we are our happiest. It is where I am now, where I am when I create and where my mother must have been living in Pakistan.
Sitting on the balcony overlooking the variety of palm trees and listening to the birds who inhabit them, I think of the comfortable place these sounds and smells place me. There is the sound of the broom sweeping across the pavement on the grounds below. These sounds and smells take me back to my childhood growing up in Pakistan during very formative years of my live, 12 to 15 years old. I think too it is significant that when my family resided in Pakistan, we stayed there for the entire three years without returning to the U.S. This extended time with no breaks must have influenced who I am today.
Sitting on this balcony in Bangkok takes me back to my childhood in Pakistan. My childhood in Pakistan is why I was drawn to living in Bangkok in the early eighties. It was the connections from Pakistan that fulfilled my desire to get a teaching job at the international school, parents of my friend who I used to sit on the rooftops with in Lahore, sharing our future dreams, our ideals and ideas. When I was searching overseas sites for a teaching job, my childhood friend's parents were living in Bangkok at the time and convinced the international school I would be an asset to them as a Kindergarten teacher.
I am convinced that those years in Pakistan were the happiest years of my childhood. It must have been where I felt safety, pleasure, and comfort. Just as we refer to eating certain food as "comfort food." These tastes connect us to fond memories, usually going back to our childhood.
Are not these "comfort moments" in our present life scaffolded upon happy moments from our childhood? And are these "nothing without joy" moments based on our feelings of love and acceptance from others in our lives, our family and friends? It affirms why my career has been based on an education philosophy holding front and center, the value of love shown by our reciprocity with others. In these formative childhood years in Pakistan, there was more time to truly and deeply communicate with each other. In those days back in the sixties, there was not much technology obtrusion in the states, and definitely none in Pakistan, not even television. So our entertainment was with each other between family and friends. It must have been the place where my family was happiest.
In my first time returning to Bangkok last year after twenty eight years, I wrote that I felt this energy of familiarity and comfort here as soon as I got outside the airport waiting for my taxi. I also felt that there was a presence with me even though I was alone. Maybe this was my mother who passed on to her eternal life over a decade ago. I know she is with me in spirit and I feel her more in these moments sitting on this balcony overlooking the familiarity of Asia that arouses all my senses and feelings of peace. Was Pakistan the happiest time for you, Mom? I will ask my Dad but I think my mom is saying
"Yes."
Sitting on this balcony with the long distance view of Bangkok brings back these "nothing without joy" moments of sitting on the rooftops in Pakistan. It must be why I prefer a home with a long distance view like in California, where I can see the waves of the ocean a half mile away from our fourth floor apartment on the side of the hill.
My trips to Bangkok are a place I can be without obtrusions, bombarded by the every day decisions of life. I make this vow to my self to take this feeling where ever I go. Speaking to a friend in California today, she expressed her crazy busy life, and when I gave her my expression of the value of slowing down and breathing, she responded, yes, I know these things but I forget. I don't want to forget.
Sitting with this long distance view of the tropics here in Bangkok or of the waves in Ventura, I will pause and "not forget" to "slow down" and enjoy this present moment.
It is this same place where we can truly "be" with children. They give us this time and reminder to "slow down" and enjoy the moment, they do it so well and being in their presence reminds of this so we don't "forget" to do it in our own lives.
Now I will go to a place where I will be bombarded by obtrusion but joy filled ones, the eb and flow of life. It is like the waves that come and go. I think I will go explore Bangkok's China Town, and see what treasures I can find to create my art, it is this place of creating that puts us into our soul and heart.
And when we are in our "inner soul" a word another dear friend expressed to me in our recent reciprocity of conversation, we are our happiest. It is where I am now, where I am when I create and where my mother must have been living in Pakistan.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Musings while in Thailand, November 2013
A piece from Facebook message, November 20:
Thanks for your likes and comments. It is the reciprocity of friends that takes away the loneliness of travel. As much as I love these journeys, there is a loneliness but there is joy in this loneliness because it forces one to slow down and review ones individual life. I'm awake this early morning doing just that. This review led me to work this early morning to reflect on an interview that I was asked to give this Friday. Last month an editor of a Thai parent magazine, www.bambiweb.or
I will be adding my reflections to this piece and edit later because my blog is showing all Thai.
Google "Introduction to Reggio Emilia" to find Carlina's interview.
It is day three in Thailand, Tuesday morning, November 21st. I am sitting on the balcony in 81 degree temperature at 8:37 am. I have been reviewing our school website, www.springhollowschool.com and my own writings over my career, some that are on this blog to prepare for my interview in the morning for the parent magazine, Bambi. I decided to write some notes directly on the blog this time in the hope that this will encourage me to write more being aware that these are in the process and will continue to be revised and edited by my self and I hope others.
It is always an education in and of itself to review all these words and pull them together in my mind to make them clear to another.
The response from the editor interviewing me when asking her for questions via email was this:
The purpose of the series is to help our readers get an idea of what to expect if they send their children to a school following specific method. The article on Reggio Emilia approach will have the same structure as the others from the series. To outline the concept we'll use the information from my research, but to give our readers some first-hand information and deeper insight into the concept we'd like to talk to you and use some quotes from our interview for the article.
I haven't read much on Reggio Emilia approach yet, but my impression is that there is a lot of information on the philosophy, history and guiding principles, but is there a specific curriculum? Is the learning completely child-led and spontaneous or do the teachers structure learning in some way?
I plan to respond by saying:
Our approach is entitled "The Spring Hollow Approach" because as Howard Gardner expressed in the CNN report about Reggio Emilia in 1997: "We cannot transplant the Reggio Emilia Approach, we can only plant the seed in our own communities". So therefore, our inspirations from Reggio Emilia to create "The Spring Hollow Approach" are a validation of how I have always felt education should be, termed in other ways as an emergent or constructivist curriculum, based on many different educators in our past and ones I studied and was inspired by for my teaching degrees such as Dewey, Piaget and Vygotsky.
This way of teaching and learning has some times been seen by others as a "free for all" and my response to this comment is in agreement that it is a "free for all" for the mind but not for behavior, Children are given the right to be an equal and a co-researcher in the learning process, expressing their points of views, being listened to by others, and solving problems. In short, constructing their own knowledge. This is not done in isolation, it is done in collaboration with their peers and teacher as a facilitator.
As for the non "free for all" for behavior, I will share about Green Circle and my own research dissertation to show the increased kindness of children from its use.
The environment is seen as a third teacher. Are there any particular requirements for the RE environment?
Inviting
Choices for their symbolic representations
Beautiful
Artistic
Students, teachers and parents are seen as collaborators, but how far does parents' involvement go?
Committees
Board
Education
Parent volunteer facilitating in the classroom
We are also interested in your personal perspective.
Why were you attracted to the Reggio Emilia education?
From my first lecture I attended in St Louis in a speech by Carlina Rinaldi:
"It is all about relationships"
What in your opinion are the benefits for children?
Children have the best start to be the best human possible
How would you define teacher's role?
Teacher role: knowing when to hold and fold, the dance
balance of socratic and didactic teaching
it is in the solving of the problem not the solution when learning occurs
open ended questions, think starters not think stoppers
use some quotes from the goals tof Spring Hollow piece
Observing, listening, documenting, and giving specific encouragement
Understanding and validating the point of view of the child
Being aware of your own non conscious values that may keep you from accepting the true construction of learning from the child
I texted Lindsey, our director/teacher this morning about her opinion of the teacher role. Her response was this:
"I would say first and foremost understanding and respecting the child for their unique background, gifts, and passions. From there, supporting their development as a facilitator-encouraging when needed and stepping back whenever possible. Also, I think truly valuing each child and genuinely valuing them as a person rather than a subordinate is the key to having a strong image of the child".
Maybe you have an interesting story from your experience to share.
My journey with Reggio Emilia has become my own way of life. When we concentrate on our interactions with children as well as our relationships with our own peers, we increase our awareness and understanding of our own being, it is not just education, it is a way of life. As I grow in my life and being a better observer of children, I become a better observer of life. I find that their non inhibitions give us the true meaning of life.
Children give us the value to slow down and live in the moment. It is through children that we can find our own journey in life. It is through my own grandchild when she was a toddler, that I was led into my first Reggio inspired school in St. Louis when she was attending the Family Center for a parent play group.
The word "education" is derived from "educe" which means to pull out, not to pour in. Children take us back to our own childhood to touch on our natural abilities to learn, to wonder, to be kind, be grateful, and practice the RE message "Nothing Without Joy".
When one of our students commenced from Spring Hollow to a public kindergarten, his mother asked him: What is different from your present school and Spring Hollow. His answer:
At my school now, we can only go down the slide
At Spring Hollow, we can go up the slide too.
At my school now, we have to swing only on our bottoms.
At Spring Hollow, we can swing all different ways.
At my school now, we cannot hold hands.
At Spring Hollow we can hold hands.
It is now exactly one hour later, 9:37 and 85 degrees. I am taking a break and going swimming.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Inspirations from K2 and Liz
I sit on our California balcony looking over the calm and calming waters of the Pacific. My neice, Katherine aka K2 asked me what I do all day now that I am not in a traditional job. What a good question to reflect upon. I will answer you K2 as I reflect with the help of my writing. This word "reflect" is part of the answer it self. Work keeps us from this time. We spoke the other night at the Christmas party sitting facing each other about how we both have that genetic make up of feeling guilty if we are not productive. Are we raised with this? How we must always preform based on someone else's expectation.
Lately, I have been reading daily quotes from Krishnamurti and he speaks continually of holding on to our individuality and not conforming to the masses. Yes, K2, in our upbringing and any child's upbringing we should not avoid following the guidance of our parents but I am learning that there must be a balance between the two, conforming to the outside world but without losing our individuality. My habit in my life has been to stay busy and when we do this too much, we do not take the time to "reflect" on our selves, our thoughts, our behaviors.
I think this first reflection should be based on if we are living to our highest potential, first and foremost are we true to our selves to not lose this self, whether it be in our most significant partner, a parent, or a sibling, etc. Give but do not give away our "self" "Love is not meant to stay, it is not love until it is given away" This was a quote that was on one of your brother's wedding cards to he and his new wife. We must first love our selves for who we are not who someone else wants us to be. I feel our first love is to our selves, but I feel this card did not express this very important value. This time to reflect on holding on to this balance is one way I spend my time these days.
The weather says it's 60
but the sun
on my face
feels like 75
there is much comfort
sitting on the deck
with Buddha by my side
I feel a presence next to me
when I think of
the memory of Bangkok
my memory is of a person
who was with me
but I know I was traveling alone
was I really alone or
was that presence I felt
my protector
My theta
my self
protecting my child
I feel like it happened after I gifted my monk.
Is it my mother and your grandmother K2 or my nanny?
I spoke to Liz the other day and expressed after our conversation that I should and she should write down what we said, should have done it right after our conversation but let me reflect now on what we said. It is the same about my conversations with George. I read to her one of my daily meditations from Khrishnamurti, about "riding on the bus" and meditation does not have to be done standing on one's head, it is every present moment, to be present, to be thoughtful, to be aware of our behavior and the ripples it makes in the world around us.
The words that struck me most were "being aware of how we push others around" this control of others that we are unaware of, yes we may accept this behavior as a way to take care of the world of people around us but it is only a selfish act to take care of our selves and our own needs. But it is only taking care of what we want in the future, it is not taking care of our selves in the present, for it is only the predication of what we may think we need to give us joy. So we are projecting and we are out of the moment when we "push others around" to conforming them to what we think is good for their lives, something we can not possibly know.
In my meditations or thoughts, or just sitting as I am now pondering and reflecting on any thoughts I may have, I feel this is an important one to reflect upon, in blessed free time I have in my life. It is back to the question you asked me K2, how do you spend your time if you are not going to work? And now my thoughts lead me back to gratitude of my value of "being productive" This new years goal I have of writing keeps me focused on some some sort of productivity, writing down the thoughts. This is a form of sharing them, if not only to my self to others if they care to read them and inspire them to go on such a journey.
It is all a form of creating, thoughts written down on paper are a way to understand your "self" in a deeper way as like the paint brush put to canvas or beads put together into a piece of jewelry that one feels better when they wear. It brings me back to another piece I wrote about the dance step, the paint stroke and the written word. It adds meaning to our lives. After creating, I feel more whole, I feel joy. I feel that it comes from deep in side, not something I have done for some one else's approval but for my "self" alone.
I'm in the process of writing and perchance the doors will open to these words being published if it is meant to be. But these words may be only meant for me and a blog and go no further. This is an example in and of it self of trusting the process, the value of this present moment.
My writing is not only based on education but broader to include all relationships.
I have been a restaurant writing and I turn to watch a child inspect her high chair closely
It's about how we learn to be happier by seeing and observing as like a child. To be a child to be in the present moment with no expectations of the future.
Trusting our present and our future as if we had a parent taking care of us
Lately, I have been reading daily quotes from Krishnamurti and he speaks continually of holding on to our individuality and not conforming to the masses. Yes, K2, in our upbringing and any child's upbringing we should not avoid following the guidance of our parents but I am learning that there must be a balance between the two, conforming to the outside world but without losing our individuality. My habit in my life has been to stay busy and when we do this too much, we do not take the time to "reflect" on our selves, our thoughts, our behaviors.
I think this first reflection should be based on if we are living to our highest potential, first and foremost are we true to our selves to not lose this self, whether it be in our most significant partner, a parent, or a sibling, etc. Give but do not give away our "self" "Love is not meant to stay, it is not love until it is given away" This was a quote that was on one of your brother's wedding cards to he and his new wife. We must first love our selves for who we are not who someone else wants us to be. I feel our first love is to our selves, but I feel this card did not express this very important value. This time to reflect on holding on to this balance is one way I spend my time these days.
The weather says it's 60
but the sun
on my face
feels like 75
there is much comfort
sitting on the deck
with Buddha by my side
I feel a presence next to me
when I think of
the memory of Bangkok
my memory is of a person
who was with me
but I know I was traveling alone
was I really alone or
was that presence I felt
my protector
My theta
my self
protecting my child
I feel like it happened after I gifted my monk.
Is it my mother and your grandmother K2 or my nanny?
I spoke to Liz the other day and expressed after our conversation that I should and she should write down what we said, should have done it right after our conversation but let me reflect now on what we said. It is the same about my conversations with George. I read to her one of my daily meditations from Khrishnamurti, about "riding on the bus" and meditation does not have to be done standing on one's head, it is every present moment, to be present, to be thoughtful, to be aware of our behavior and the ripples it makes in the world around us.
The words that struck me most were "being aware of how we push others around" this control of others that we are unaware of, yes we may accept this behavior as a way to take care of the world of people around us but it is only a selfish act to take care of our selves and our own needs. But it is only taking care of what we want in the future, it is not taking care of our selves in the present, for it is only the predication of what we may think we need to give us joy. So we are projecting and we are out of the moment when we "push others around" to conforming them to what we think is good for their lives, something we can not possibly know.
In my meditations or thoughts, or just sitting as I am now pondering and reflecting on any thoughts I may have, I feel this is an important one to reflect upon, in blessed free time I have in my life. It is back to the question you asked me K2, how do you spend your time if you are not going to work? And now my thoughts lead me back to gratitude of my value of "being productive" This new years goal I have of writing keeps me focused on some some sort of productivity, writing down the thoughts. This is a form of sharing them, if not only to my self to others if they care to read them and inspire them to go on such a journey.
It is all a form of creating, thoughts written down on paper are a way to understand your "self" in a deeper way as like the paint brush put to canvas or beads put together into a piece of jewelry that one feels better when they wear. It brings me back to another piece I wrote about the dance step, the paint stroke and the written word. It adds meaning to our lives. After creating, I feel more whole, I feel joy. I feel that it comes from deep in side, not something I have done for some one else's approval but for my "self" alone.
I'm in the process of writing and perchance the doors will open to these words being published if it is meant to be. But these words may be only meant for me and a blog and go no further. This is an example in and of it self of trusting the process, the value of this present moment.
My writing is not only based on education but broader to include all relationships.
I have been a restaurant writing and I turn to watch a child inspect her high chair closely
It's about how we learn to be happier by seeing and observing as like a child. To be a child to be in the present moment with no expectations of the future.
Trusting our present and our future as if we had a parent taking care of us
The Refuge of Skiing
The Refuge of Skiing
Kate Ratliff
To slow down
Last run of the day
I ponder
What have I thought of today
Not much
I give my self permission
To think of nothing
A cleansing of the mind
Only to feel the wholeness
Of the body
To be in quiet and quiet
I become part of the mountain
It's quietness is inside of me
It is meditation
Not found anywhere else
Difficult to put into words
It is beyond words
Beyond thought
Going down the mountain
I briefly become
conscious of the non thought
Which then becomes a thought
Observing for a moment
and returning to non thought
Like peeking inside the mind
Only for a moment
And returning to the peace
Of the whole body
Of non thought
Stepping back outside
Closing the door to thinking
And only conscious of
where my ski
will lead me next
Getting out of the mind
into the heart to who we are
Skiing can be related to creating
Music and the arts
The process
Not expecting what is created
Instead enjoying the moment of creating
The moment
of being on the mountain
The only product
at the end of a ski day
Is a tired and cleansed body
A "refuge" is
"Anything that one
has recourse for relief"
A place of shelter
from danger
Skiing is
this thing and place
To cleanse the mind
And give relief
from too much thought
Relief from the stress
of a worried and busy life
The refuge of skiing
Kate Ratliff
To slow down
Last run of the day
I ponder
What have I thought of today
Not much
I give my self permission
To think of nothing
A cleansing of the mind
Only to feel the wholeness
Of the body
To be in quiet and quiet
I become part of the mountain
It's quietness is inside of me
It is meditation
Not found anywhere else
Difficult to put into words
It is beyond words
Beyond thought
Going down the mountain
I briefly become
conscious of the non thought
Which then becomes a thought
Observing for a moment
and returning to non thought
Like peeking inside the mind
Only for a moment
And returning to the peace
Of the whole body
Of non thought
Stepping back outside
Closing the door to thinking
And only conscious of
where my ski
will lead me next
Getting out of the mind
into the heart to who we are
Skiing can be related to creating
Music and the arts
The process
Not expecting what is created
Instead enjoying the moment of creating
The moment
of being on the mountain
The only product
at the end of a ski day
Is a tired and cleansed body
A "refuge" is
"Anything that one
has recourse for relief"
A place of shelter
from danger
Skiing is
this thing and place
To cleanse the mind
And give relief
from too much thought
Relief from the stress
of a worried and busy life
The refuge of skiing
Bangkok November 2012
It is saturday morning of my day four in Bangkok. I awake at three after forcing my self to stay awake until eight like the nights before. I accept this as a good night's sleep. Besides, it is two hours later in Japan where I will be in three days so ten to five is a good night's sleep. I am grateful for my sixty year old body to be this healthy and resilient to allow for enough rest to enjoy each day's moments. I decide to go for an early morning walk with the hope that I may be amongst the orange robed monks carrying their layered food containers traveling to fill them with food gifts. I do not meet any but know in my mind and memory they are with me but more likely on more rural streets. I am grateful for the brightly lit spirit houses and the Erawan four face Buddha to remind me of their memory. As I pass the four face Buddha whose gate has not yet opened, I notice a fellow early traveler cusping his hands in prayer to the four face Buddha. I wait my turn and do the same. Even though I do not consider my self a Buddhist, I only have the chance to gain goodness by this act of respect in this culture I am blessed to be welcomed into.
I sit now in a comfortable seat in the Intercontinental Hotel enjoying my second cup of coffee and a delicious pastry put out as a gift for this hotel's guests. No one questions my cover as a guest.
I sit in stillness thinking about my messages from the Ojah yoga retreat I experienced only last week, take time to be still, to meditate and breathe and expel all thoughts, a most difficult task but one worthwhile.
The first sky train of the day passes outside the large hotel windows above me and I imagine my day ahead to travel to the weekend market.
To stillness. The light of day is gradually showing its face. If my thoughts will not go away, I turn them to gratitude. To be able to take this journey and not feel I need to check in with any person or obligation. To let go of worries and concerns to the outside world. To reach a state of awareness to self and realize there is so much joy and contentment when we go to this place.
A message from Uma, one of the Ojah retreat speakers: To learn to empathize not sympathize and to resist taking on another's pain.
The trees are silowettes against the dawn of the morning sky. I'm reminded of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the ocean viewed from our California balcony.
Stillness to meditate
with eyes wide open.
To slow down to observe
what is not normally seen
When too occupied
with the outside world
with thoughts of the past
and projections for the future.
To be still to see
the present moment.
I notice the sound of voices getting louder, more are awake to greet the day at 6 am. I look up and the leaves of the trees are visible and the light of day is almost in full bloom.
The monk, my monk, greeted me as I stepped into the early morning streets of Bangkok surrounded by high end stores like Louis Vuitton and the ageless culture symbolized by the spirit houses and the monk walking in front of me. I could see several other monks in front of him and across the street. I was pleased to be surrounded by them and no one else on these streets of dawn except the food vendors setting up their stands.
My walk hastened with my joy of this moment as I passed by my monk smiled in return to my smile. A bit embarrassed to be the traditional tourist, I asked to take his picture. He kindly obliged, posing in front of one of Bangkok's high end store fronts. In return for his kind act and because I had always heard of but never experienced gifting monks food, their only susatance for their time in the monkhood, I bought food from one of the street vendors and placed it in his bowl. Gazing into his empty bowl, I noticed baht, the Thai currency, at the bottom so I placed a fifty baht bill along side it. He thanked me with a quiet "kap Kuhn ka" with bowed head. The food stall lady behind me said "you will have good luck madam"
At the weekend market. I'm at a stall in front of a fan drinking fresh lemonade. My sweat is drying now to give me comfort from the heat. I have no idea if I will find it back to the sky train station but my mind reminds me not to worry and enjoy the moment. I feel like I am experiencing Bangkok more fully then when I lived here. I think I came here to the weekend karakul market a few times those years but it was a long trip through traffic in those days without the sky train. I went to these kind of markets with the weaving alleys growing up in pakistan. It is wonderful to have these memories brought to the surface. I'm searching for beads and don't know if I'll find them but am grateful for the beautiful Thai people trying to guide me and the treasures I'm finding along the way. My knowledge of Thai and my ability to replicate the tones is coming to the surface. I have even remembered how to ask someone's name. My grandson would be proud of me because he has complimented this trait of mine to ask someone's name. I learned this from my very caring boyfriend george and do feel it is a form of showing love and a kind act.
I feel a relationship between this experience and education. These values that are brought to the service are what are naturally held in the young child, slowing down to live in the present moment. This is a innate value in our children well worth our support as an adult.
I sit now in a comfortable seat in the Intercontinental Hotel enjoying my second cup of coffee and a delicious pastry put out as a gift for this hotel's guests. No one questions my cover as a guest.
I sit in stillness thinking about my messages from the Ojah yoga retreat I experienced only last week, take time to be still, to meditate and breathe and expel all thoughts, a most difficult task but one worthwhile.
The first sky train of the day passes outside the large hotel windows above me and I imagine my day ahead to travel to the weekend market.
To stillness. The light of day is gradually showing its face. If my thoughts will not go away, I turn them to gratitude. To be able to take this journey and not feel I need to check in with any person or obligation. To let go of worries and concerns to the outside world. To reach a state of awareness to self and realize there is so much joy and contentment when we go to this place.
A message from Uma, one of the Ojah retreat speakers: To learn to empathize not sympathize and to resist taking on another's pain.
The trees are silowettes against the dawn of the morning sky. I'm reminded of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the ocean viewed from our California balcony.
Stillness to meditate
with eyes wide open.
To slow down to observe
what is not normally seen
When too occupied
with the outside world
with thoughts of the past
and projections for the future.
To be still to see
the present moment.
I notice the sound of voices getting louder, more are awake to greet the day at 6 am. I look up and the leaves of the trees are visible and the light of day is almost in full bloom.
The monk, my monk, greeted me as I stepped into the early morning streets of Bangkok surrounded by high end stores like Louis Vuitton and the ageless culture symbolized by the spirit houses and the monk walking in front of me. I could see several other monks in front of him and across the street. I was pleased to be surrounded by them and no one else on these streets of dawn except the food vendors setting up their stands.
My walk hastened with my joy of this moment as I passed by my monk smiled in return to my smile. A bit embarrassed to be the traditional tourist, I asked to take his picture. He kindly obliged, posing in front of one of Bangkok's high end store fronts. In return for his kind act and because I had always heard of but never experienced gifting monks food, their only susatance for their time in the monkhood, I bought food from one of the street vendors and placed it in his bowl. Gazing into his empty bowl, I noticed baht, the Thai currency, at the bottom so I placed a fifty baht bill along side it. He thanked me with a quiet "kap Kuhn ka" with bowed head. The food stall lady behind me said "you will have good luck madam"
At the weekend market. I'm at a stall in front of a fan drinking fresh lemonade. My sweat is drying now to give me comfort from the heat. I have no idea if I will find it back to the sky train station but my mind reminds me not to worry and enjoy the moment. I feel like I am experiencing Bangkok more fully then when I lived here. I think I came here to the weekend karakul market a few times those years but it was a long trip through traffic in those days without the sky train. I went to these kind of markets with the weaving alleys growing up in pakistan. It is wonderful to have these memories brought to the surface. I'm searching for beads and don't know if I'll find them but am grateful for the beautiful Thai people trying to guide me and the treasures I'm finding along the way. My knowledge of Thai and my ability to replicate the tones is coming to the surface. I have even remembered how to ask someone's name. My grandson would be proud of me because he has complimented this trait of mine to ask someone's name. I learned this from my very caring boyfriend george and do feel it is a form of showing love and a kind act.
I feel a relationship between this experience and education. These values that are brought to the service are what are naturally held in the young child, slowing down to live in the present moment. This is a innate value in our children well worth our support as an adult.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)