I'm adding a new feature to my blog: A Word of the Day!
As I come across words with which I am unfamiliar I will post them here. So, this will certainly not be every day--as I have some semblance of a vocabulary--but I've run across enough blogs with words that are either new to me or had slipped from my usage. This is my attempt to continue my life-long education.
Miasma: an unwholesome atmosphere; unhealthy vapors
Brought to you by Angela
Yes, I shamelessly used Sonlight's logo, but I needed an image of a book and it works very well. At least, I think so <smile>.
Now, I know that I just wrote about how we must be wary of statistics and reports. On the other hand, we shouldn't ignore them either. And it is at least interesting--if nothing else--that studies show that daycare may not be good for kids. In fact, the more time young children spend away from their mothers, the more likely they are to exhibit agression and disobedience... potentially.
If this turns out to be a verifiable fact, it wouldn't surprise me. I can think of many reasons why being put into a system is less than beneficial for a child's development. In fact, my dad loves telling about the time a librarian commented on how homeschoolers were vastly different from public schooled children. Instead of shuffling up to the desk and stating, "I need some help," homeschooled children would frequently wait until she was done with her task, look her in the eye and say, "Would you help me, please?"
Granted, I know children--even of homeschoolers--aren't always that perfect. There is plenty of evidence of this out here on the blogosphere. And so if it turns out that further studies prove there isn't a big difference in the miasma surrounding kids at home vs. those in group care options, I'll be okay with that. But my guess is that, at minimum, the amount of positive time parents spend with their children does dramatically influence their behavioral norms.
So whether you homeschool or not, be sure to spend some time with your children today.
And if you're of the praying persuasion, I would appreciate any prayers for our children still stuck in Kyrgyzstan... as we can't currently spend time with them.
If you're more of the thinking type, I welcome your thoughts as well <smile>.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
Mrs. C, fair enough. Gary Larson does have a sense of humor that isn't always... umm... accessible. [smile]
~Luke
Hugs to you and Brittany, Luke!!
And I *did* try to borrow Blink, but it isn't even in our library system. YET. Sometime I'll read it.
We finished that dirt book you recommended, but there were a few places I "forgot" to read to the children and jokes we accidentally skipped, you know? :]
Mrs. C, Malcolm Gladwell points to the very devastating effects of using ethnicity distinctions on tests in his book "Blink." It's a very fascinating book. Highly recommended.
Karen, thank you for your prayers!
Butter, <smile> it amazes me how many times people believe kids should be away from their parents.
Miss Jocelyn, you are most welcome!
Thank you all for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated!
~Luke
Don't know that I've heard that word or at least knew what it meant.
Thanks for sharing. :)
Miss Jocelyn
http://aponderingheart.com
I'll keep your kids in my prayers. And you two, too.
On a message board I've been going to since I was pregnant with my toddler there is currently talk about sending the kids to preschool. Because, you know, they get BORED with only their parents and need to SOCIALIZE. Yeah, of course, because we all know that 2 1/2 year olds need more than just mom all day!
Thanks for the thoughts about statistics and especially about remembering that it is the time spent together that matters. Praying for you.
Welll...
I hate statistics. I feel like someone has it out for someone else when they're done. Why else would you be LOOKING for differences in daycare/home cared children? There are great daycares, crummy daycares, daycare at Gramma's house two hours a week... I mean... *what* is the agenda behind the statistic?
(BTW that's one thing that *really* bugs me about "race" differences in statistics. Whyyyyy do people need to label others that way? I try to write "displaced Edenic peoples" on the forms under ethnicity but then they change them to "white" without my consent. I should be able to call myself what I want...)
Continued prayers for your children, most especially for their safety and them to really *understand* that Mom and Dad will be there ASAP, they haven't been forgotten, and that they are immensely loved.