Been reading "How Children Succeed" by Paul Tough. The first chapter suggests that academic success is determined not by school, teachers, extra tuition or peer pressure, although those things do matter. The largest factors are actually how attentive parents are (during infancy and preschool) and how attached children feel towards parents. If children feel emotionally secure, this actually boosts their short term memory. The opposite was also true. Children who come from disadvantaged or dysfunctional homes are repeatedly exposed to stress hormones in the body. They not only fall behind academically but also act out and have behavioural issues. As an educator and a mother. This knowledge is not new to me. What is interesting though is that the book suggests that we can aid or reverse poor academic results by changing brain chemicals and to do that means changing the family dynamic (not the school environment). I've often wondered what is the use of PTM. Parents meeting with teachers and together they "discuss"; more like a shared complaining (sometimes blaming) session. Or is it group therapy where both parties unload frustration? Perhaps we need less emphasis on academics and more on nuturing the family. Maybe it is whole families that need help rather than more detention and suspension. Can't wait to read the rest of this book.

via Facebook

5 years old!

via Facebook

When I told Caity that The Charlie and Lola magazine would be discontinued she burst into tears and cried out, "I'm so disappointed!" When she found out that they would be printing the last issue this month she looked at my with disbelief and horror then sobbed even louder.

via Facebook

Test

Testing sending a blog post from my new android Samsung s3

Caity growing up

At the moment Caity's language skills are fantastic. The things she says make her seem older than 2 and a half.

The other day when we were shopping in Metro the conversation went something like this:

Caity picks up a sesame street play dough set: Mommy, I can buy this one. [Looks intently at the toy]

Me: Well sweetie, you can't at the moment cuz you don't have any money. Only Mommy and Daddy have money.

Caity: Awh. Then gimme all your money Mommy.

Last night she told me this:

Caity: I can fly.

Me: You can sweetie, how?

Caity: With my fairy wings, I can fly. Hee Hee.

For Holloween I'd bought her a set of fake fairy wings and she'd promptly put them on and pranced around the house.

Now she can also count to 30. Although sometimes, she skips 14 and 17 but she gets that when you reach 20-something you're supposed to say 20 plus whatever number from 1-10. Except that 30 becomes "twenty-ten".