Puppy

As a one year 'gift to myself' I got a puppy. I picked him up on Saturday. He is coming to my home to provide some companionship in the evenings, and motivate me to get out of my house at the end of a long tiring day. I can't help, as I read through manual after manual on how to train your puppy, think of some similarities with children's growth. I'm not saying children are dogs, by any means, and I hope to not offend anyone with this comparison, because in actual fact, the similarities DO NOT end at childhood, but in all our relationships.
But here's what I have seen. 'Troubled' puppies act out their need for attention through chewing on furniture, your favourite shoes, or basically any object that seems to be special to you. They urinate all over your home, and keep you awake a night. They bark excessively, and run out of the house dragging you on walks while you, as their master, tries to assert authority, and demand respect. (What am I getting myself into?) Every manual I read talks about the reasons that puppies do this, and why, when you think you've got the situation all under control, they regress at times. The manuals talk about attention and 'cabin fever', as the two main triggers for this 'acting out'. When you see your puppy/dog doing this, it generally means they are craving some attention, and some outside time. It means it's time to re-evaluate where your attention is. Puppies and dogs are looking for a 'pack leader' they are pack animals. They need socialization, attention and outside time. They also need limits and boundaries. Puppies that are given free range of the whole home will, with no guidance and follow-through,  as adult dogs, blur boundaries and limits imposed on them in adulthood.
Although children are not dogs, there are some real similarities. So perhaps all my years of experience with children has prepared me to live with a puppy?!?!?!

Nahum

So here's how it has gone with having 'Nahum' around the children in the centre:
1. Nahum loves running with the children
2. The children love running with Nahum
3. Nahum is, from an early age, learning to be around children
4. Nahum has started showing up in out imaginative play. ie: 'I'm the teacher, and you're Nahum.'
5. Because Nahum gets tired easily, the children understand that sometimes 'we all need a break'
6. The children are learning how to approach dogs in a safe manner, and how to be patient with him
7. The children have been wanting to know more about dogs, so we have started doing some 'research'
8...... the lessons are endless!!!

The children playing 'puppies in a cage'

Stumps

We have two tree stumps in our yard. Well, actually they are our next door neighbour's old chopping blocks. 

For a long time they have been on opposite sides of the yard, but recently I put them near each other. An invitation for....?

 Testing our jumping skills...

 Inviting a friend to join in the fun!

 tumbling off and getting back up to try again!

 Jumping right off the other side

 Inviting another friend to try it out!

 Demonstrating skills

 Copying

 knowing that others tumble off too

 Attracting another friend

Eventually enticing a WHOLE crowd!

Long Time No See and a Celebration

I realize it has been nearly two months since my last post. That's a real shame, i've lost touch with my ECE comrades on this journey to enrich children's lives by allowing them to be children and the fight to bring back that natural and instinctive need to play.

You see it's been a bit of a struggle to remain motivated and true to my philosophy. We are celebrating our first year anniversary of our little centre. Today marks a day of reflection for me, and a day of 'another thing to celebrate' for the children.

I has been quite a year. We have had some big ups and downs. Yes, the good out weighs the negative. I am forever grateful to all the families that believed in my contribution to their children's lives. If you think about it, I spend the majority of the waking moments with these children. It's a responsibility I don't take lightly.

I myself personally have gone through some major peaks and valleys. There were some weeks/days where I thought I have chosen the wrong profession, cried my little heart out and lost sleep over the passion I have for children, had my philosophy challenged, had second thoughts about my role in the children's lives, and even a lack of motivation at times. But those negatives are a blip in the wonderful year we have had. I believe that the children's well being is being fostered daily in the program, that the children have wonderful memories to take with them in life, I have also grown myself over the year, and the relationships that I have fostered with each family is so precious. The children are a fabulous bunch, and we are pioneers in the fight to give back children their childhood, one that I hope that as the children grow, they will have a voice to say, 'remember when.....' and share their memories so others can be inspired. We have had amazing moments, and the year to come will be filled with so many more!

So as we celebrate our 'first birthday' I can be thankful that we have all been brought together to learn together, grow together, and most importantly play together.