Category Archives: Family News

Summer Fun

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I am really liking this summer so far!  The boys are at great ages to do fun stuff and be pretty independent.  They can go to the yacht club and enjoy jumping off the dock or going for a boat ride.  Last year we loved going to York Beach and this year we’ve already been once.  They really are big kids!

We went to the Cape for a couple of days.  There was an awesome wave pool and a few slides.  Brendan would not go on the slides!  The very nice life guard let him sit with me twice but Bren was still not a fan.  Aidan on the other hand could not be kept off the slides!  It was fun. enjoyable, somewhat relaxing but mostly just great family time.

I really could get use to  summer!

Uh oh! What would it look like if…

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Chris and I recently went to a presentation about Executive Function skills.  It was really interesting to hear not only the neuroscience behind why some children/people are able to problem solve, manage time and multi-task.  These are skills that can be developed.  These are skills that are important to develop when children are young to help them as they get older.

What was great about the presentation- and this was the second time I saw this presenter- was that she gave examples of what can be done to help children in using their executive function skills.  She had useful tools for time management and prompts to help children.  So now we walk around pointing out “what would it look like if your room were clean?” or just saying “uh oh” to see if one of the kids can determine what needs correcting.  We have even resorted to doing it to each other.

This is one aspect of Montessori eduction that we have really appreciated- letting the kids figure out for themselves what needs to be done without commanding them.  In Montessori it is called the “control of error,” materials self correct to allow children to have their own “ah ha!” moment.  This leads to self motivated problem solvers.  And we see this in both kids.

One of the first comments Aidan’s teacher made to us was that he works at something until he solves it.  We also see that we can suggest “needing to get ready,” and both kids understand the steps it takes to get ready.

It is more work, and more patience, but this presentation helped us to see that it does pay off.  And having the time and space to hear intellectually something we believe and practice philosophically (and be able to reflect on it) was a great opportunity to reinforce our parenting!

Aidan’s School

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We are about two months away from the end of the school year. It is hard to believe that first grade is almost over for Aidan. It is hard to believe that it was almost a year ago when we first heard that Aidan would be going to the Condon School. Since the first time I called the school to ask if we could take a tour, the school has impressed me.

I did quite a bit of research about Boston Public Schools and I talked to many teachers about my concerns. BPS has done quite a bit of work on communicating its mission and vision and is able to provide data on how it is reaching its goals as a district and school by school.

We put down the schools everyone told us about. We trusted the process. The same time we were waiting (since you don’t hear about first grade placements until May), the Globe was running a series of stories about how hard the kindergarten lottery and school assignments were for families. We held out breath and hoped after all the work, we could make the best choice. While the Condon was not our first choice on the paperwork we filled out, we come come to realize- with no doubt- it is the best choice and we are so happy Aidan is there.

Aidan has expressed many times how much he wants to know people. He is social and loves now participating in activities, or even just a simple trips to the park. He loves that he knows kids where he goes. He loves walking into the Condon for swimming with such pride in his school.

The school has welcomed our whole family. After chatting with the principal about how I could help, I received a personal invitation to the Parent’s Council Meeting. I have been able to get involved in Aidan’s classroom (he has a terrific teacher!) and school events.

One way I am helping the school is with a parent blog. The school is hoping to expand to eighth grade and this is one way to help parents get involved in that process. Here is the link.

It has been a great year and a great start to our BPS experience. We are looking forward to Brendan having the same experience in two years, and Aidan continuing how much he loves school and our new community.