New Idea: Tuesday Teach 'ems

I like routine. I like having a set plan for what I'm doing, including what I'm writing about. I tend to be more diligent with my blogging when I have a mission. So I've decided to add my own little weekly assignment to my blogging: Tuesday Teach 'ems.

I've been reading quite a bit and talking with friends a lot about educational philosophy and teaching our toddlers. I regularly read Barbara Curtis's Mommylife blog, and I just finished her books, Mommy, Teach Me and Mommy, Teach Me to Read. I've read a few other books based on Montessori philosophy. I've also read a bit about Waldorf philosophy, and I do have a masters degree in secondary education with an emphasis in gifted and talented populations. All of this has ingrained in me the importance of child-centered / child-led approach to learning. I'm trying to bring this all together to ground my daughter in an environment that sets a foundation for learning. I don't plan to send my daughter to an academic "preschool" or spend time drilling her on the memorization of the alphabet. The foundation I want her to have is broader. I believe that mommy is the best teacher a toddler and young child will ever have. I'll probably expound on those ideas in the weeks ahead, but I guess it's important to note that my Tuesday Teach 'ems will not be about rote memorization.

Every Tuesday, I'll post an exercise that I've completed with Caroline. I predict that some will be roaring successes and some blaring failures. We'll learn together. Eventually, I can add a Mr. Linky so that others can join in on Tuesday Teach 'ems. That may or may not happen, but I'd love to get ideas from others out there.

Check back tomorrow for the first TUESDAY TEACH 'EM.