I share my birthday with my youngest grandson––he will be two on Sunday.  I think you’ll agree that was a very precious birthday present for me!   In our family there are a number of other March birthdays including my other grandson who was lucky enough to be born on St. Patrick’s Day.  For years he thought the parade that included clowns, marching bands and leprechauns was just for him.

March is also the birthday month for my husband, son-in-law, a cousin or two and lots of friends.  That got me thinking it MUST be the most popular month for being born in the United States.  But no, the month for that distinction is August!  I think it would be a fun classroom activity to make a chart of children’s and teacher’s birthdays.  And that could lead to a discussion of the best birthday memories and why.  It’s not always about presents.  Except in my case, of course!

I’ve been in a couple different states this week and everywhere I go, the snow follows.  At first it’s white and fluffy––magical, really when you think about it––white stuff falling out of the sky.  But then you have to shovel it and then you have to drive in it.  Or worse yet, be stuck in airports because of it and then (I never like this) fly through it.

All the white stuff got me thinking about kids and snow, parents and snow, and teachers and snow.  Watching children make snow angels is delightful, and children are so creative in the things they build.  They’re daredevils sliding down hills, and woe to anyone caught in the middle of one of their snowball fights.

The downside?  It’s those coats, snowpants, mittens, hats and scarves.  And, of course, always make sure they make a trip to the bathroom before you zip them in and wrap them up!

This post is from a book I’m writing with the working title: Teachers Need Nurturing Too!

Mission Impossible:  Putting an End to the Naked Doll Syndrome

Teachers of young children understand “The naked doll syndrome.”  Dolls are thrown into cribs, naked.  They’re found in the block corner naked.  They even end up in the refrigerator or oven, naked.  Simply stated, these dolls make it look as if an orderly classroom is not a priority, or that children have not been taught to properly care for their toys.

Hundreds of regulators, inspectors, parents, and teachers have in the past failed miserably at the seemingly simple task of keeping dolls fully clothed.  The following mission statement has been written to simplify and clarify.

Your mission, should you wish to accept it:  Put an end to the “naked doll syndrome.”

At the end of the day each and every doll in the classroom must be suitably dressed.  There will be no exceptions.  The term “fully dressed” is used loosely.  Gender issues are not relevant––girl and boy dolls may share clothing.  Baby dolls are considered fully dressed if they wear a diaper or even a blanket.  It’s difficult for small fingers to dress miniature dolls, so they are considered fully dressed if they wear a string of beads or a pair of shoes or boots.

And finally, the clothes do not have to be mended nor do they have to fit.  They do not even have to be clean.  They do, however, have to be on the dolls.  Good luck!

Thanks to you all for caring about Haiti. It’s overwhelming watching the coverage, isn’t it? Someone asked me about the baby I’m holding in the first post on Haiti on Wednesday, January 13th..  Her name is Ester, I remember that, unfortunately I can’t find in my notes the name of the orphanage I was visiting.  She had been brought in to the orphanage with all kinds of problems and they thought of her as a miracle baby because she lived and was thriving.

Update on Mercy and Sharing (mercyandsharing.org)  Susie Krabacher will appear on CNN Morning Show, the first hour.

Update on Gods Littlest Angels (glahaiti.org)  Dixie Bickle was interviewed by Wolf Blitzer.  I haven’t caught it yet, but hope to.  Dick (my husband) tells me she has a blog now on her web site

The most amazing thing that lifted my spirits today was seeing Ashley Judd on Larry King drink water that had been purified by a packet that cost just a few cents for gallons of water.  Clean water as a major problem in Haiti.  There is no infrastructure for water, sewers, etc.

There has been no further information on whether the children were in the church/school when the earthquake hit.

I keep words of Dr. Martin Luther King close at hand.  On my office walls, in desk drawers for quick inspiration, and on my computer.  He was an awesome thinker and speaker!  Every year on his birthday I get out old magazines and books describing his amazing civil rights journey, and my children grew up understanding how important that struggle was for our country.

I think I was particularly impacted by his death because I was a college student in Nashville, Tennessee when Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis.  The news was shattering.  I’ve visited his memorial in Atlanta twice and find it peaceful and inspiring.

My personal goal is to celebrate his life not only on his birthday but every day.

Our Holiday Traditions publication offers more information on Dr. Martin Luther King as well as activities that relate his life to children in a hands-on approach.

I have a heart for Haiti.  I had the privilege of visiting schools and orphanages in Haiti in 1997 because my husband Dick (an architect) and others had designed a church/school for 400 children that would sit right in the middle of Port-au-Prince.  He volunteered his time for about seven years along with a group of other professionals who volunteer in third world countries.

The poverty in Haiti is devastating and unimaginable–– hundreds of thousands live in homes made of cardboard and tin.  People are desperate and hungry.  Their circumstances are heartbreaking but the people themselves––their humor, faith, and resolve in the face of despair is heart warming.  These families have always needed our help, but now more than ever.

I can only imagine the number of orphans that will be added to the already alarming number.  When we visited orphanges we attempted to bring a little light with a few school supplies and some lollipops––yes, sweet tooths in small children seem to be universal!   A few years ago Dick and I met Dixie Bickle.  She runs an orphanage in Haiti and was interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today show this morning.   I’ve never visited her orphanage, God’s Littlest Angels (it didn’t exist when I was there) but I have spoken with her about her programs and about volunteering at the orphanage.  The great news is, all of her children are safe although they had to spend the night outside.  Check out her interview on the Today web site and also learn more about the orphanage and international adoptions at her website: glahaiti.org

Update – Jan 17th  Dixie appeared on Larry King.

Update -  Jan 18th  Dixie was on CNN.  She had amazing news––the government is releasing orphans that have already been adopted.  Sixty were going to the Netherlands, some to the U.S. and some to Canada.  When those children are gone she says she will go down to the streets of Port au Prince to bring orphans back to Gods Littlest Angels.  Funding for GLA is crucial.  Dixie is amazing.  Her spirit draws you in.  If you can help, I know glahaiti.org is worthy!

And here’s another site I think you will appreciate.  It’s another orphanage, Mercy and Sharingin started by another amazing woman, Susie Krabacher.  Her personal story is inspiring––from former Playboy centerfold (read some of the archived information on her website, haitichildren.com) to award winning humanitarian.  She also takes care of special needs children who have no home, and she has an abandoned baby unit in a hospital.

Update Jan 17th   Some of her orphanges and schools have survived, others she’s not sure about, and she is concerned about the children and her staff.

As you can see from our pictures, the children of Haiti are beautiful.  They have ready smiles and are adorable dressed in their crisp school uniforms ready to learn!  Children sit on benches, shoulder to shoulder with very few supplies––that’s how 400 can have classes in a church basement.  And though this is a private school, it costs only dollars a month and is attended by very poor children.  Thankfully, when the earthquake hit, most likely school was not in session.  We pray that the church is still standing and that there were no injuries at that location.

Update Jan. 21   Dick just found out that the church/school collapsed.  We do not know if anyone was inside.

For me, the guilt demons start circling in full force at the beginning of every new year.  You know the ones, “You should eat more carrots.”  “You should walk more.”  “You should recycle more.” “You should help more people.”  These little voices are not helpful because guilt only motivates me for a few minutes at best.  But over the years I have learned that what I really need is a plan, a strategy.

Take for example today.  It was a great day, but busy.  I wanted to post a blog for the beginning of 2010, but, you know, busy, busy, busy.  So I came up with a plan.  Pick up the computer,  lift the lid, turn it on, click on blog, start writing.  And it worked.  I am now wishing all of you a very Happy New Year!

Now if I could just get to the carrot eating, the walking, the recycling, the helping . . .

I have never considered myself a pack rat, but I have a closet full of memories from the early days when I directed Little Folks Discovery Center.  Among my treasures is a handmade giraffe that measured children along its neck when they came in the front door at the beginning of school. I have lesson plans that were mimeographed––some of you will remember those!  I have flannel stories like The Three Little Pigs and Humpty Dumpty that were lovingly crafted by creative, hardworking, and dedicated teachers. I have a couple dried up dandelion necklaces that were presented to me by loving children.  I have some of the earliest issues of the magazine that I couldn’t have lived without, Child Care Information Exchange.  I have a quilted banner with crayoned drawings on small pieces of fabric––a masterpiece created by children.  I have thousands (yes, thousands) of pictures.  Preschoolers visiting fire stations, school-agers participating in our drama classes,  kindergarten graduation, and parties and festivals galore that seemed to go on endlessly throughout the year.  And there are many more memories stored away in closets all around my office and my house.  I fear I will never be able to downsize!

I admit to cowering in corners and climbing on tables when tiny four legged creatures are anywhere near.  I’m terrified of mice and gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs, and can you believe it even bunnies!  Yes, it’s a full-fledged phobia.  I had truly rather see a bear come into my house (that has happened and I’ll blog about it another time) than a teeny tiny you know what.

When I was teaching (especially in preschool-type settings) it could be a problem if any of the aforementioned creatures were out and about for any reason.  When I visited schools and orphanages in Russia I had many amazing experiences.  One involved a little boy who walked up to me and said something with the most engaging smile while pointing to his pocket.  I leaned in, of course, to see what he was trying to show me.  Low and behold it was his treasure, a little pet mouse he kept in his pocket.  I don’t remember the rest; let’s just hope I didn’t come off as a weird lady he will always associate with Americans.  I think I know where this phobia originated (it involves my two rascal brothers) but my challenge has been to never convey or pass my fear on to children in my care.  By the way, I did come a long way with my own children when their Aunt Grace presented them with two Peruvian Guinea Pigs.  That is until my son casually placed one of them (this act was innocent of malice on his part) on my chest as I lounged on the couch reading a book.  I wasn’t expecting it and let’s just say I’ve never been able to make peace with the little creatures no matter how hard I’ve tried.  My question is, do any of you have phobias you try to keep from the little ones?

I just returned from the NAEYC conference in Washington, DC.  I planned to do a “Live From NAEYC Conference” blog, but that didn’t happen!  All of you who have attended the conference  know how much there is to do and even with adrenalin running high, it’s always impossible to check off everything on my “to do” list, but I sure gave it my best try!

This was the first time I’ve attended when I wasn’t presenting, exhibiting, promoting my book, receiving validator training––you get the picture.  I was excited, but I didn’t know what to expect.  My husband, Dick was with me and believe me, I think he met and talked with more people than I did!

The exhibit hall was at times so crowded I could hardly find room to walk as I baby-stepped along trying to balance my NAEYC bag, my purse, coat and the program with carefully highlighted numbers of the booths I just had to visit!  What great organizations were represented!  I love visiting the huge mega companies, but it’s also such fun to discover the new kids on the block who offer  exciting, safe products for kids and families.  The ones that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”  And I love learning about the non-profits and what they’re planning on unveiling in the future.

But the people.  I always meet the nicest people!  People who have been getting Parent Pages for twenty years, people who have never heard of us.  Presenters who are (knees knocking) presenting for the first time and the presenters like Bev Bos, Alice Honig, Mimi Chenfeld Brodskey, and Marian Wright Edelman who inspire year after year!

It’s hard to think of the conference without thinking of the Washington, DC framework.  What a beautiful city.  And celebrating the city where our first African American family now resides––Wow!