Sonoma Parenting 101

I, Barbara Pappas, am your host of the Sonoma Parenting 101 podcasts.

I started Sonoma Parenting 101 due to an overwhelming demand and parent’s desire to be informed and directed in their children’s road to success. I think of myself as an advocate for children and am passionate about the intent to reach for ones potential. These early years are the foundation for a life time to follow and the efforts and investments made for this young generation are not only rewarding, but crucial for the health and evolution of us humans and our life as a community.

Once in a while parents look for an outside opinion on their child’s behavior. They might be concerned about repetitive movement patterns, lack of eye contact, delay in speech, sensitivity to touch, or any other observations that they or close friends and relatives have brought to their attention. To assist with any processing disorder time is of the essence. It is much better to be one step ahead and get the green light than having to back paddle.

For more information on support provided by Sonoma Parenting 101 please click on services.

Early Childhood Education, ECE, is divided into the following groups:

• Infant, 0 – 12 months
• Toddler, 12 – 30ish months
• Preschool, 3 and 4 years of age
• Kindergarten, 5 years old
• Transition into 1st Grade, 6 years

It is important to recognize that the age of a child is only one of several components for assessing development and maturity.

Human beings of any age need regular quality time alone and with significant others.

Sonoma Parenting 101 posts podcasts on relevant topics so young children can grow to become successful adults.

A few facts about infants:

Dependent, innocent, a profound need for love and bonding, still very much in unity with mom, oral desire, the urge to find lasting emotional stability, all senses provide ‘food’ for brain development which leads to establishing habits and patterns. Solitary play.

A few facts about toddlers:

On-the-go, first experiences of separation from mom and other close family members, ‘I do it myself’, speech development, eager to receive coping skills, extremely fast brain development and the absorption of sensory input. Developing tendencies. Revealing temperament and personality traits, the first real power in life: bladder and bowel control. Solitary and parallel play.

A few facts about preschoolers:

‘I want to touch, smell, taste, hear and see everything in my environment’. The desire to explore, discover, create and think. Exploding with questions and increase of vocabulary. Building on one owns tendencies and habits. Wanting friends and enjoying cooperative play. Sharing, caring, impulse control, taking turns and other social skills for life are being solidified. Success depends on predictability and routines. Countless repetitions and processing concepts.

A few facts about Kindergarten children:

The profound experience of mastery: Reading, writing, adding and subtracting, etc. Being a role model and leading younger children in play and cognitive activities. Experiencing accountability and responsibilities. Many moments of ‘I matter’ and ‘My words are a promise’. Exploding self esteem, pride and joy of learning. Leadership all around. Kindergarteners can basically run their own day.

Early Childhood Education Tools and Guidelines

– The best thing a parent can do is spend time with their child.

– All children have a need for undivided attention. Quality time of 15 minutes can make all the difference.

– Sensory stimulation is the foundation for brain development. Therefore, a vast variety of concrete experiences, meaning hands on, must be abundantly available for young children.

– The 3 largest providers for sending sensory stimulation to the brain are the lips and mouth, the palms and the soles of the feet.

– The ‘prepared environment’, at school and at home, support initiative, self motivation, curiosity, focus and concentration in a child. It displays order, a left to right and top to bottom direction, and it is intended to be ‘irresistible’.

– Speak or do – just not both at the same time.

– Trust in the child and follow their lead of interest and timing.

– Allow and promote independence in all matters of self help.

– Value the process of any concept learned, encourage repetition and acknowledge mastery appropriately.

– ‘I do it myself’ is essential in attaining success in life

– Move  objects with purpose and respect instead of dumping them out.

– Focus and concentration require a quiet environment.

– A child who can play will be an adult who can work.

– Allow and promote uninterrupted play.

– Mastery of any concept is the reward in itself.

You can reach Barbara Pappas

by email: ECE@sonomaparenting101.com

by mail: P O Box 543 Sonoma, CA 95476

I look forward to your comments and questions.