In No Smacking Discipline, we were taken aback with the mood swings from our normally gentle and sweet natured little boy. It was too often that he’d plunge into a foul temper at the slightest annoyance. We tried talking to him, other positive tactics, some punitive measures, more sleep, etc.
It then came to a head which resulted in the No Smacking Discipline post. I don’t really think he relies greatly on DS, bike, ripstick, etc. to be happy, so removing them was more a message that he’d lost the privilege of independence and freedom. As an aside, I don’t intend at all for him going to the army, so using that message was more for shock value, and which allowed me later to discuss my stance on the subject.
No Smacking Discipline
Wills now seems to have settled down. He still falls under what Montessori adherents understand as the ‘Age of Rudeness/Serenity.’ Is that the explanation for it? But I’m not daft, I don’t expect my boy to be an angel every minute of the day. I expect a boy to test his limits every now and then and to challenge us, as we challenge him.
Here is an overview of what we’ve been doing for him:
Recently exploring NAPLAN preparation materials which he used a week or so before the test
Refining his approach to violin practice and improving his sound quality
High-level support for his project-oriented work in school
Exploring schooling options
This is a nurturing approach where we are trying to push him into independence. We don’t hand hold him the whole way, but nudge him a little, offer options, and encourage him constantly. All the while we’ve been communicating to him sincerely about the method behind the madness. Does anyone else have any suggestions as to how we can keep an active 8/9yo happy???
For now what we’ve done seems to have resulted in a fairly well-balanced, independent, and inquisitive 8yo.
I’m participating on Kel’s BE QUIET! post on beafunmum.com. Kel talks about being a good model of how you want your children to behave. Literally, if you want them to keep their voices down, shouting ‘be quiet’ is counter to where you want them to go.
I was coordinator of a Montessori playgroup for a year, and made sure that the policy of keeping the playgroup environment quiet and calm was adhered. For instance, when I stepped into the playgroup I personally make sure to speak awfully quietly. This quietude helps my children members concentrate on their jobs at hand. So irrespective of the distances, or whether I’m speaking to adult or child, I am effectively whispering.
Not only am I keeping my voice barely above a whisper, I am also trying to be as concise as possible with my words. This forces me to think clearly before speaking and to ensure that the words that come out are unambiguous and succinct. I have noticed, given the low volume, that people try harder to focus on what I’m saying, and it makes my words carry more impact.
The takeaway of Kel’s post is not about quietude. It is about having clarity in communication and understanding that it is an art to be practiced. Exploring the subtleties of how and what you say allows your child to learn the richness of communication. Perhaps some of it might even sink in?
I’ve been unimpressed with the traffic in front of Christ Church Grammar School but I’ve been looking to get stuck in it for the last couple of months. This was so I could take a picture of the (newish) Times Square Claremont billboard and have a rant about it. The billboard is quite an arresting sight – it features a youngish model basically nude promoting Times Square Claremont.
Nude Model in front of Claremont
The slogan on the ad reads “Get Dressed.” I assume this means that you go to Times Square Claremont in order to get yourself dressed. But is it really necessary to use nudity in order to emphasize this point? Is it really necessary to use sex to sell a place?
Children see nudity and care less about it. But the image isn’t just about innocent nudity, is it? I for one don’t need for my children to be exposed to this sort of thing.
Claremont has a certain branding for itself. In my opinion, it has a classy and conservative feel about it. I don’t see how this image matches that branding, nor how it strengthens Claremont’s image in the minds of Western Suburb consumers. Any opinions? Am I a prude?
Times Square Claremont
Entry via St Quentin Avenue
337-339 Stirling Highway Claremont
You’re in and around Nedlands – so what are good places for children and parents in this suburb? Scratching your head for something to do other than bring your children to the library? There are more places than you think to go to.
For instance, have a picnic on the Nedlands foreshore. Or hire a boat at Matilda Bay (right next door to Nedlands). When you’re done, visit the very exotic Pata Negra spanish restaurant for their amazing squid ink paella. Parents may like it, but if that’s too much for the children, have the best organic chicken pie at Pusey’s Puffs. While I know Lo Zucchero is not in Nedlands, who cares when children need a real Italian Gelato? Then off down the road to Games World at Claremont Quarter to spend some money. Try to visit the Carrington Street Park on the corner of Broome and Carrington to see a real formerly-working steam roller (children watch out for the doggy doo doos). Check out the links below for other ideas.
Claremont Christmas Carnival held at the Town of Claremont will be Thursday Nov 26 2009 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. The Claremont Carnival will have a Santa Parade starting at 5:30pm which will start at Times Square, travelling along St Quentins Ave and turning right on Bay View Terrace.
Claremont Christmas Carnival
The Claremont Carnival will have a range of family entertainment – Santa Parade, Fashion Parade, Pizza, Fairy Floss, Sumo Suits, Bungee Run, Drumming Workshop, Face Painting, etc. You may get free parking at Claremont Park or Claremont Quarter. Enquiries – 92854300.
I got the following ‘Claremont Christmas Carnival’ video off youtube, but looking at it in entirety I know it CAN’T be Claremont in Perth. For one, tt looks too cold and I’ve never heard of the band’s high school before. But oh well, I’m including it anyway.
The traffic going past Christ Church School (Google Map Page) in the morning seems to be getting from bad to worse. This affects parents driving children not only to Christ Church, but also to MLC, PLC and even all the way to Beehive Montessori School.
Christ Church Grammar School Map
It seems that parents going to Fremantle past Christ Church School peaks from 8:30-8:55am. The traffic from West to East toward the city past Christ Church School is bad from 8:45-9:15am. Most of the traffic going west seems to be congested along Stirling Highway from Claremont. I’ve found that the best way to avoid most of the traffic is to use Freshwater Parade (see map). While there is an average of 3-4 cars trying to enter Stirling Highway, the Stirling Highway traffic mostly let cars in fairly frequently, so the wait is not long.
There seems to be a good flow of pedestrain traffic from Claremont Quarter. Some parents from Christ Church Grammar MUST have realised the untenable road situation. They’d drop their children off somewhere near Claremont Quarter, and it’ll be a short five minute walk, whilst their ride gets to bypass the entire stretch of road. This is a much better option for parents and should be used more often to reduce the needless flow into the school compound. However, children crossing roads into Christ Church Grammar school should look out for road safety, and be careful whilst crossing roads.
