Celebrating Differences And All About The Family

Like I said, my five year old is enjoying his kindergarten years and making the most of his time in 'play' school before he heads off to 'real' school.  Almost everyday when asked, "so, what did you do today?"  His answer is usually the same: "I played."  Playing is an integral part of how kids learn and learning through play is the best way to teach young minds.

Also, as part of being in school, kids learn about themselves and about others.  Mainly, how they are different yet somehow the same.  Last week, the kids celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness Day by learning about differences.  To teach them about such a sensitive subject in a light-hearted way, kids were asked to wear two different socks on their feet.  Learning about differences and how kids with Down Syndrome are different because they have a disability but, somehow, how they are also the same because they are still just people like the rest of us.  Different colored socks are different colors but they are still socks.  It's a genius way to get kids to be aware at such a young age and get the conversation going about treating everyone the same, with respect.

Kids are also learning about themselves and where they fit into the world, starting with their place in their family. So in kindergarten, the kids had to make a photo album with pictures of themselves at different stages in life so far as well as pictures of family members.  It was a way for them to understand their roles in the world, the role they play inside their family unit both immediate and extended.

                                          All About Family

                                          Celebrating Differences on Down Syndrome Awareness Day