Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Can you work at a Montessori school with a associate degree in early childcare education?

Q. I am currently getting a early childcare associate degree and for some reason Montessori learning really stuck out to me as fun. Can i work in it with just a associate degree?

A. The curriculum is actually very tedious/repetative and time consuming (a true montessori program has no time limits and wants kids to learn individually or in very small groups of 2 or 3 with hours at a time for one activity), and I think to teach Montessori at a center, preschool, or elementry school you need to go to a special montessori teaching school or get a special certificate/teaching credential (thats what one of my CD professors said).

Montessori also focus's too much on structered individual play with little to no unstructered group play- which is important too for building problem solving skills and creativity. I worked as a fieldtrip tour guide at an activity tourist property and I had different groups- FCC's with Infants/Toddlers, Preschools, Public schools, Private schools, and even 1 private Montessori school and those Montessori kids were the most out of control- they were hurting each other and running around chasing birds and the teachers didn't do much because I was on time schedual and had to transition kids to about 9 or 10 different activities in less than 2 hours. There are a few aspects of it I like, such as using natural materials (wooden toys/natural wool or cotton fabrics) and the child sized furnature. but not so much the long untimed projects (that was developed because the children she toughter were seen as "mentally retarded" by the public- but it is unrealistic in today's fast pace school and work environments; how will children adapt to middle school? High school? College? Workforce?) but I would say if you don't want to get a special certificate just try to adopt a play-based or Nature-based curriculum using the aspects of her teachings you like.


Which dog breed is the best for families having children under ages 3?
Q. I got to know that the best dog for families having children under ages 3 are labrador retrievers! Is that correct? What is your opinion?

A. generally larger breeds are a better choice. Larger breeds tend to be less timid, less likely to be easily frightened and also less likely to be accidentally injured by a toddler falling on or over them. This is still highly dependent on the individual temperament of the dog however. The more dogs are socialized with very young children the more accepting they will be.

Some breeds of dogs that are known to have almost unlimited patience with very young children include the Bulldog group of breeds as well as the Mastiffs. These dogs as a group are more sedate, very calm and slow moving and seem to have a natural love of really small children. Kids still need to be carefully supervised around any type of dog but the Bulldogs and Mastiffs are universally known for their toddler friendly attitudes.

Another breed that is very good with children when raised with infants is the Akita Inu. This very large sized Japanese dog is a natural protector and will quickly see children in the family as its pack, meaning that the dog will keep the toddler close to the rest of the pack, gently steering the child back towards the parents as they move around in their space. In Japan it is often the case where the dogs are left to watch over children playing outdoors, working like a herding dog to keep the young children within their territory or area. The Akita is also a very docile dog, happy to let children climb on them and even involve them in their games with toys.

The Basset Hound, a solid yet low to the ground hunting type of dog is an excellent companion dog for young kids. They are slow moving, very affectionate dogs that seem to thrive on the attention that a toddler provides. They are solid dogs that are happy to just lie down and watch the child play but also have a good sense of play themselves for when the child gets a bit older. Often the Basset Hound that is raised with kids will be seen happily following the children about as they learn to crawl and walk. The Basset tends to not be easily alarmed by anything that a child does, especially when well socialized.

Standard Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Collies, English Setters, Samoyeds, Newfoundlands and Bernese Mountain Dogs are all good matches for households with very young infants and toddlers. Choose a dog that has a calm temperament and that has been raised in a household with children for the best possible match.

Growing up, we had a great dane. She was an amazing dog and to this day one of my favorites!


How do I cure an earache on a 4 year old?
Q. I think my son has water in his ear from swimming. He wont let me touch it and it getting red behind his ear. Is there a home remedy that I could use to ease his discomfort. I gave him Motrin and he is resting but how do I get him better?

A. Home Care Dos and Don'ts

Since ear infections can be quite uncomfortable, pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and home remedies like a warm washcloth placed over the ear can ease the pain.

Be sure not to put drops in the ear, like sweet oil, deYbarrondo warns, because they can obscure or cloud the eardrum, making it difficult for the doctor to get a good look. They can also cause irritation.

And, best to hold off on Q-Tips: it just impacts the wax, and pushes it farther down. "Besides, wax is a good thing-it protects against swimmer's ear ( otitis externa ) and keeps the canal's natural acidity in balance, which prevents bacterial growth," de Ybarrondo says.

Infants who lie down while drinking from a bottle rather than propped up in Mother's arms are more prone to fluid backing up in the tubes. De Ybarrondo strongly discourages parents from leaving a baby alone with a baby bottle under any circumstances. And she reminds parents to hold their babies at some incline when feeding them, to let gravity do its work by letting fluid run downhill.

Secondhand smoke leaves its mark on the ears, as well. Children who live in homes where parents smoke are at risk for ear infection because the irritating smoke causes chronic inflammation of the eustachian tube.

If your child is in day care, please keep in mind that the more youngsters your child is exposed to, the more viral illnesses they will meet. "This is no reflection on the day care. No matter how many times the adults wash their hands between diapering or feeding, odds are still high that viruses are being passed around on toys and tabletops," de Ybarrondo says.





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