Babbyone Blog

My oldest son began kindergarten this year.  He is enjoying all of the “big-kid” perks of going to school like riding the bus and having recess.  But he’s also discovered that school also comes with responsibilities.  Not least of which is a list of skills to be practiced as homework, including several penmanship tasks like drawing shapes and writing letters,… continue reading

Fall is certainly creeping in!  Celebrate the changing seasons with this music and movement activity using Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.  (I originally posted this back in December.) Vivaldi’s Four Seasons has always been one of my favorite musical works.  This program music is so beautiful and powerful, but also so descriptive, you can literally see in… continue reading

In my professional life, I’ve consulted and advised a variety of people — parents, teachers, care-givers.  Now and then I even consult myself.  My “mother self” becomes frustrated with something, and soon, the “consultant” part of my brain steps in to remind my “mother self” of what I already know.  Such has been the case this… continue reading

I’m excitedly working on a new project aimed at helping teachers and parents positively and effectively address difficult child behaviors and build social skills for the long haul.  I really want to get your perspective on the topic so that I can be sure that what I write is pertinent to you!  Please take just a… continue reading

Thank you so much for your comments on challenging child behaviors.  I’m currently working on an eBook based on  Positive Guidance, and hope to incorporate your input.  Here is one aspect that will be addressed in the book. When children present us with their most challenging behaviors, it is easy to fixate on what they’re doing… continue reading

I recently taught a class which featured a video titled, “Ten Things Every Child Needs” (a special project of the McCormick Tribune Foundation’s Education Program).  I enjoyed discussing the topic with the teachers I was training with, and thought I would pose the question to you as well.  What would be on your list?  What… continue reading

I recently taught a class which featured a video titled, “Ten Things Every Child Needs” (a special project of the McCormick Tribune Foundation’s Education Program).  I enjoyed discussing the topic with the teachers I was training with, and thought I would pose the question to you as well.  What would be on your list?  What… continue reading

I am a fan of great children’s music artists.  Hap Palmer and Raffi are a delightful mixture of musical and educational genius!  And so I hope you won’t get me wrong when I say that I don’t think that’s the only kind of music children should listen to. Music designed for children has some great… continue reading

We went on one of my favorite fall outings today!  Armed with a great book, some craft supplies, and a pile of snacks, we headed up the canyon near our house to explore fall in one of its best displays! After throwing rocks and leaves in the river for a while (an activity you simply… continue reading

As I sat in the waiting room of a doctor’s office not too long ago, I flipped through a family magazine and was taken aback by an advertisement.  The picture showed a mother with a baby in her lap, both looking enthusiastically at a computer screen as flashcard-like images of apples and dogs and the Eiffel… continue reading