By Mary Hill
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| My Parents, 1968 |
I seem to be late at night lately at my computer thinking about writing. I have been trying to write all day off and on, wanting to participate in my usual hops. I backed up a while ago and came up with a small idea which ties in with my November challenge. I am joining the Writing Nonfiction in November project because I have a topic for the month, and I have even worked up a brief outline.
My topic for the November challenge: The Importance of Parental Involvement in Education. My inspiration is my mother. I recall her telling stories of how she read to me as an infant. Reading would quiet me late at night as she held me in her arms and showed me pictures from books she checked out from the library.
She played Beethoven, Chopin, and other classical music in my crib room because she had read somewhere of a connection between early introduction to classical music and intelligence.
I imagine me as a little babe listening to that music. I can hear the symphony in mind. The starlit room and the sweet sounds lulled me to sleep. The cadence, the rhythm, the rush of musical instruments played in unison. My brain synapses must have fired on all cylinders.
My mom’s involvement in our education started way before “official” school ever started. She made sure we had lots of literature to read. She subscribed to these beautiful Disney of the Month club books.
Our Saturday treat was going to the library to check out even more books. She entered us into the summer library reading challenges from as early as four years old. She let me choose my picture books. She says one of my favorite books was, of course, about cats. She couldn’t recall the exact name. I wonder if it was this one?
My mom had finished high school and only a few months of college. She had not studied early childhood development, but she seemed to have a mommy gift about what we needed as infants and toddlers to start developing our brains. Her acts of motherly love are scientifically proven to be valuable factors in encouraging emergent literacy.
I went to college and learned this in classes, but experienced in real life. When my daughter was born, I not only played Mozart, Chopin, and Bach, but I also sang to my little blond haired angel. “You’re my sweetie Katie Rosie with a button nosey and 10 little toesies.” Then we had our count down routine. I told her I would stay with her until I counted to 120 every night. I sang this too her too.
I had a bright idea one time to buy flash cards. Not DAP, developmentally appropriate, at two. I was going to teach her ABC and 123s. She started lining the cards up and telling me stories. I thought that was a better use of the flash cards.
I will be writing more on this series in November.
The Bible says
a beautiful testament of a Mothers love . Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop! ♥
Hi Mary,
I’m hopping over from the IP link up. What fun to hear of your mom who was intentional in creating an atmosphere of learning in your home. I grew up listening to classical music and reading lots of books too.
Nice to meet you,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
I recognize several of those books myself. The gift of reading is one of the best a parent can give a child. How fortunate you were to have a mother who encouraged you so. I really enjoyed listening to Beethoven while reading through your post, quite an effect!! Amy
My intent exactly. Thanks. I wish we could include music in our e-books. 🙂
Hi Mary! What wonderful memories of your Mom. I remember my Mom reading to us too…we didn’t get a lot of 1:1 time (there were eight of us), but reading always meant a snuggle time, and diving into fun worlds of imagination.
Have a great Thursday!
Ceil
What an awesome Mom, feeding your little heart, mind and spirit with wonderful things to help them grow! Books and kittys were a treasured part of my early childhood too, and I’m certain that accounts for my fondness for both to this day. My best writing and thinking are also done late, or very early, whenever there are no distracions or “should do’s” interrupting my train of thought. Thank you for a lovely post for Two Shoes Tuesday!
What a wonderful gift your mother gave you! I am a pianist and hope that even though my children don’t play, they will learn something from my love of music and books. Being involved is so enriching for both Mom and child.
Your mom was quite the woman and I respect and admire her love for education and teaching you. This was a beautiful post.
You were fortunate to have such a wonderful mother. This is a nice tribute to her.
Thanks so much for your comments. 🙂
This was such a touching post. Your mom’s awesome, exposing you to reading and allowing you embrace books is a beautiful gift for any child. Also glad you’re passing it on.
What a great mom! That you continue to carry on with the ways you learned from her really shows the greatness, doesn’t’t it? Thanks to my mother, I already knew how to read before starting school.
Hi, Mary
I stopped by from last weeks Thursday blog hop. I enjoyed looking around your lovely blog and I am inspired by your encouraging words. I am a huge fan of Beethoven. Have a lovely day.
Thank you. I am so encouraged by your comments. They make my day. 🙂