Comments on: Screw you structured play and learning stuff! I’m doing just fine… http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/ stories and pictures of a creative life Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:37:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michael http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1716 Michael Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:41:18 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1716 There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been mentioned, so just allow me to add my voice to the "structured play isn't really that important so it doesn't matter if you're crap at it" chorus. It's reassuring to hear other parents are just as fallible as I. .-= Michael´s last blog ..<a href="http://drawingdad.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/creative-process-2/" rel="nofollow">Creative Process (2)</a> =-. There’s nothing I can say that hasn’t already been mentioned, so just allow me to add my voice to the “structured play isn’t really that important so it doesn’t matter if you’re crap at it” chorus. It’s reassuring to hear other parents are just as fallible as I.
.-= Michael´s last blog ..Creative Process (2) =-.

]]> By: Aly http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1697 Aly Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:28:18 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1697 I've been a mum for over 7 years with 3 kids and I have never heard of structured play.We live in a flat so no garden, a lot of play is home based.I cook and do crafts with kids in the afternoon and they have the option of what we do and if wish to join in.It was only a few months ago that I read that a lot of mums restricted their children's TV viewing.I've never read a parenting book or magazine and I haven't been on a parenting forum for a few years so I guess I'm a bit in the dark to why this is.For the last 4 for years I have been a WAHM so play has been intergrated with work.I know I've spent a lot less time with the girls going to groups, the park etc but I have always reserved Wednesday's for Breastfeeding group(we are doing a gymnastics course at the momment with DD2) and Friday's is either stay and play or the library.As for learning the only thing we did with the girls regularly is baby sign.The last week or so DD2 has come out with an array of words and gestures that she has just picked up, we never sit there and repeat stuff to her.I think mums make things hard for themselves worrying about what others are doing that they forget how fun parenting can be by just doing the most mundane things and not to conform to media pressure.My kids understand we work odd hours because we work around them and they accept that. Aly My Hodge Podge Life .-= Aly´s last blog ..<a href="http://alybean.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/fun-friday-stewie-lois-mom-mum-mummy/" rel="nofollow">Fun Friday- Stewie (Lois mom mum mummy)</a> =-. I’ve been a mum for over 7 years with 3 kids and I have never heard of structured play.We live in a flat so no garden, a lot of play is home based.I cook and do crafts with kids in the afternoon and they have the option of what we do and if wish to join in.It was only a few months ago that I read that a lot of mums restricted their children’s TV viewing.I’ve never read a parenting book or magazine and I haven’t been on a parenting forum for a few years so I guess I’m a bit in the dark to why this is.For the last 4 for years I have been a WAHM so play has been intergrated with work.I know I’ve spent a lot less time with the girls going to groups, the park etc but I have always reserved Wednesday’s for Breastfeeding group(we are doing a gymnastics course at the momment with DD2) and Friday’s is either stay and play or the library.As for learning the only thing we did with the girls regularly is baby sign.The last week or so DD2 has come out with an array of words and gestures that she has just picked up, we never sit there and repeat stuff to her.I think mums make things hard for themselves worrying about what others are doing that they forget how fun parenting can be by just doing the most mundane things and not to conform to media pressure.My kids understand we work odd hours because we work around them and they accept that.

Aly
My Hodge Podge Life
.-= Aly´s last blog ..Fun Friday- Stewie (Lois mom mum mummy) =-.

]]> By: Josie http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1677 Josie Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:57:59 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1677 <a href="#comment-1650" rel="nofollow">@Mummy Mania</a>, You put that so well - you're right, it's the balance between stepping in and stepping back. I think I'm just learning that more stepping back is ok and shouldn't be a source of guilt. And you're also right that when Kai REALLY needs me, he soon tells me and I am quick to respond. Feel like I've learnt so much this week! It's given me a whole new outlook on my time with him. x @Mummy Mania, You put that so well – you’re right, it’s the balance between stepping in and stepping back. I think I’m just learning that more stepping back is ok and shouldn’t be a source of guilt. And you’re also right that when Kai REALLY needs me, he soon tells me and I am quick to respond. Feel like I’ve learnt so much this week! It’s given me a whole new outlook on my time with him.
x

]]> By: Josie http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1676 Josie Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:50:04 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1676 <a href="#comment-1658" rel="nofollow">@turtleturtleturtle</a>, Oooh might try and find that book! Sounds good. It's been quite a revelation to me all this... sounds stupid but it really has! @turtleturtleturtle, Oooh might try and find that book! Sounds good. It’s been quite a revelation to me all this… sounds stupid but it really has!

]]> By: Josie http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1675 Josie Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:49:18 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1675 <a href="#comment-1659" rel="nofollow">@Janine</a>, Oh fab! thank you! Off to check it out now... @Janine, Oh fab! thank you! Off to check it out now…

]]> By: Josie http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 Josie Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:48:35 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1674 <a href="#comment-1660" rel="nofollow">@Emily O</a>, Ooh will look forward to your post! We have an official agreement now amongst ourselves - no worrying about 'learning stuff' till he starts school. And even then there's no rush! It's remarkably freeing actually... @Emily O, Ooh will look forward to your post! We have an official agreement now amongst ourselves – no worrying about ‘learning stuff’ till he starts school. And even then there’s no rush! It’s remarkably freeing actually…

]]> By: Amber http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1661 Amber Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:35:30 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1661 I'm glad you're feeling better. And my ego thanks you ever-so-much for calling me fab. I do love a good boost now and again. :) .-= Amber´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.strocel.com/beautiful-thusnelda/" rel="nofollow">Beautiful Thusnelda</a> =-. I’m glad you’re feeling better. And my ego thanks you ever-so-much for calling me fab. I do love a good boost now and again. :)
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Beautiful Thusnelda =-.

]]> By: Emily O http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1660 Emily O Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:43:07 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1660 Great post, I missed the debate on this one. Having a son who's just turned 4 I'm sick of hearing about other people's children the same age who are writing their own names, learning French and counting to 100. There's a lot of debate in the O household about what we do with him now and what waits until he's at school (given that all he wants to do at the moment is dress up as Sportacus and run around the house). The pressure continues I'm afraid, I think I'll do my own post on it. That Idle Parent book sounds interesting. .-= Emily O´s last blog ..<a href="http://babyrambles.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-blog-mother-knows-best.html" rel="nofollow">New blog - Mother Knows Best</a> =-. Great post, I missed the debate on this one. Having a son who’s just turned 4 I’m sick of hearing about other people’s children the same age who are writing their own names, learning French and counting to 100. There’s a lot of debate in the O household about what we do with him now and what waits until he’s at school (given that all he wants to do at the moment is dress up as Sportacus and run around the house). The pressure continues I’m afraid, I think I’ll do my own post on it. That Idle Parent book sounds interesting.
.-= Emily O´s last blog ..New blog – Mother Knows Best =-.

]]> By: Janine http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1659 Janine Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:38 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1659 There's some idle parenting articles here: http://idler.co.uk/idleparent/ if you can't wait for the book to arrive... There’s some idle parenting articles here: http://idler.co.uk/idleparent/ if you can’t wait for the book to arrive…

]]> By: turtleturtleturtle http://www.sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/2009/11/20/screw-you-structured-play-and-learning-stuff-im-doing-just-fine/comment-page-1/#comment-1658 turtleturtleturtle Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:43:36 +0000 http://sleepisfortheweak.org.uk/?p=1310#comment-1658 Excellent! I hope it stops you beating yourself up. Amusing yourself is what life is all about. Structured play is madness. I like the book "Einstein never used flashcards". It breaks down how children learn. Repetition is key. Who needs new activities? You're doing a great job and I'm sure you have a very happy boy. .-= turtleturtleturtle´s last blog ..<a href="http://turtleturtleturtle.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/friday-five-4/" rel="nofollow">Friday Five!</a> =-. Excellent!
I hope it stops you beating yourself up. Amusing yourself is what life is all about. Structured play is madness. I like the book “Einstein never used flashcards”. It breaks down how children learn. Repetition is key. Who needs new activities?
You’re doing a great job and I’m sure you have a very happy boy.
.-= turtleturtleturtle´s last blog ..Friday Five! =-.

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