Imitation

I know that kids learn from so many many sources surrounding them. They are such little sponges and every minute of their day is spent learning. It is amazing to witness first hand as a parent. Nothing, nothing comes close to the power of imitation. It is a scary thing really to think about: our kids learn so much from watching us. You really need to watch what you do. All the things we do in front of our kids truly do have the ability to become part of their character. Actions lead to habits which develop into character. I have to remind myself of this a lot more as I loose my cool (i am sooo cool) with Asher as he really tests my patience. For the most part I am very happy with his imitating (cursing in a two year old is cute right? j/k grandma).

Asher loves doing the things we love to do and it is so rewarding that way. i hope that deep down they will really lay a foundation for him discovering a person within him that we respect as his parents when we are all older. I know he will be who he chooses, you know I just want to be able to have respect to go with that everlasting love. I love how he really wants to help and hope it isn't just the first child need to please thing. Making hamburgers with his papa, and cutting up potatoes to fry up. Ben simply precut the taters and stuck them back together so that Asher could do his work safely. I did just get a second crinkle cutter so that he can cut softer things on his own, like cucumbers. And an apple cutter that I hope he can manuever.

I don't know enough about the montessori philosophy behind it, but I really think that children's involvement in the growing and making of their own food is soo important. I mean really when you think about it what better way to help them feel independant and sure of themselves. Food is such an important thing, we need it to survive. So for a kid to feel like they have no control over this really could lead to insecurities and more dependance. I like to keep some food options at his height and more importantly always keep water available to him, a small ball jar on a designated shelf in the kitchen. And then there is other work, Asher loves tools and luckily we have enough backups and rumage sale finds for him to have some of his own real tools. He helped build the fence, and loves to help with any hammering. Today he helped fix the sledge and maul- new handles needed so we can get on with the wood chopping already. Big or small, help is always needed, and I love that this little boy often says through out the day, "I want to help mama." I also hope to do a better job being worthy of imitation.