GEO Board

An easy DIY Geo Board. Fun, practical and awesome!! Great for early child education mathematics / geometry skills and concepts. Hands on exploration. 

This is the first geo board that I made using an old cork board, colored push pins and rubber bands. The marbles were added later on for some extra gaming fun although they are not necessary - but in fact, go great with this.

 

1. Start with a small cork board. You can get them anywhere from the dollar store to IKEA. Any shape is good to use. I find that rectangular is best but you can choose circular, square or whatever you find available. Sometimes stores have cork board rolls where you can cut up and make your own shapes. Lots of options.

2.Get some colorful pushpins. Any pushpins will do but the colored ones can help with color recognition, patterning and order. Place the pushpins strategically on the cork board. Make rows and column (suggestion).

3. Have different colored and different size rubber bands available for use. Model for a child on how to properly place the rubber bands around some push pins - show by making a small square. Children are smarter than we may think, they will get the hang of it just like THAT! 

4. Let them explore, play and learn! You can draw some shapes and ask them to model the shapes. They can get really creative. It is a great open ended learning experience. 

Take a look here - www.constructivekinder.weebly.com

#loorducation

JJ, You are Wanted

A healthy child is a happy child and a happy child feels well and a child who feels well will always learn well.

I am so blessed that my son is happy and healthy. He has a lot of energy and is very creative. He loves to learn. He loves to write and read and definitely loves to try new things. I am very proud of him. He amazes me all the time.

He is cherished. He is wanted.

He motivates me to do more and to be more. He is our rock. He teaches us so much. This boy really has a wonderful soul and a heart of gold. I look forward to spending time with him. I often think of activities that we can do together and places that we can explore together. There is no other way I would rather spend my weekends and everyday than with my family. My rock, my inspiration and everything!!!

I want him to have the best childhood he can ever experience. I wish for him to have the fondest memories and to feel the love that both my husband and i have for him. That is so very important. I want him to know and understand that he is our gift. He is wanted. He means so much to us.

He is wanted.

It is awesome now how he is into Loorducation. He knows when I am taking a picture of him and asks questions about what I ma going to say  about the picture and where am I going to put it up. He gives feedback and shares his ideas. that is important. It is vital that his voice is heard and I am so thrilled that he enjoys sharing and expressing himself. We are forever grateful. FOREVER.

He is wanted.

He asks thousands of questions. Repeats hundreds of things. Obsesses over "little" things.

He is wanted.

Blasts from the Past

Awesome!! Learning happens everywhere. Education is in everything. Always capturing the moment. Visit loorducation on www.facebook.com/loorducation and all over social media @loorducation See what we are up to!!!

Paint Me a Picture

One day after school, I had a table set up for JJ. It was covered in newspapers. There were all types of papers to paint on set up. I put out all colors of paint and different styles of paint brushes. It was quite the invitation to paint. As soon as he got off of the bus, he flew to the table. He was very eager to start creating. He expressed how happy and excited he was. He really enjoyed it. This was something that he needed. It was very beneficial. That night he was calm and did a great job with homework.

Take time to paint.

I am the Proud Recipient of The Inspiring Blogger Award

Happy New Year Readers!  I appreciate you all, everyone of you who take the time and read my words, From the bottom of my heart, thank you foLOORs!!!

The lovely J from http://jsackblog.wordpress.com/ has given me the honor of Inspiring Blog Award. I love reading J’s blog because she has a profound way of expressing her  written words. I can relate to her. Her words are touching and very meaningful. We have many things in common. We have become great friends through the power of written expression. I am happy that our paths have crossed. I always follow along on her journey and read her blog. It is great stuff and I am really touched that she has given me a blogger award for inspiration. It means so very much.

There was a list of questions I was to answer upon receiving this nomination. You can read them below as I am glad to share them with you all.

 



Very Inspiring Blog Questions

1.Why did you start your blog?

Well, I first started my blog because it was a mandatory element for one of my last classes in my Master of Education program. I started a blog because I had to post topics from class and about all things related to education. I never would have thought to start a blog if it was not for that class. I am so glad that I did. My blog has turned into something special and really got me into writing especially when I decided to write my first non class post. It was about my son. That was in September of 2013. From that very first post of sharing part of my son's autism journey, I was hooked. From there I started writing frequently, sharing a little more of his journey each day, along with the stuff that was need to be done for class. Ever since, I became a blogger.

2. What is the book that you have read that has touched you the most?

The book that I have read that has touched me the most is The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz. But then there is The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Those are 2 great, inspiring books of wisdom. They have really touched me and made an impression on my life to stay strong and be positive. As well, we are so much more than we believe ourselves to be.

3. If you could eat dinner with a famous person who is still living, whom would you choose?

Oprah Winfrey. I admire her. She is very strong and empowering to women all over. She is an inspiration to go out and chase your dreams. She is very successful and always pays it forward. She is a role model in my eyes.

4. Where is the one place you have visited that gives you complete calmness?

One place that I have visited that gives my complete calmness is Quito, Ecuador. That place is peaceful and beautiful. You can smell hopes and dreams in the air. The landscapes are wonderful. The weather is amazing. The total atmosphere is beyond aww inspiring. And..that is to say the least. I love going to Quito and I feel very blessed to have been there many times with my husband and several times with our son, too.

5. Are you a bucket list person. If so name one thing on it?

I would not say I am a bucket list person but one thing that I really would love to do is to travel to Africa and stay there for a month to teach the children. I would bring them gift boxes of school supplies and clothes. I would help them read and play games with them. I believe that they would teach me so much more than I would teach them. This is definitely something that is dear to my heart. I would document my time there. In that way, I can show the children here how fortunate they are and how really good we have it. That, in turn, can inspire others to pay it forward. This can be done through donations among other positive things.

6. What is the goal for your blog?

I want people to read and feel inspired. A goal is to keep the readers engaged and coming back for more with posts that truly come from the heart with passion. With that will come featured publications with highly reputable sites that will share with with the world.

7. What is a day well spent to you?

A day well spent is a day that is with my husband and son. One filled with laughter and cuddles. A day where we smile, have fun and enjoy one another's company among great food, books and TV or spending quality time together going out.

8. How do you start your day?

I start my day by getting myself ready along with our son. I make an organic green smoothie before breakfast each morning. Then I will usually make coffee and breakfast.  On school days, I get my son up and ready for the day. I pack his lunch bag and give him his vitamins. He eats a little something then we wait for the bus to pick him up. After, I get my husband all set. The kitchen gets cleaned up and the day of creativity begins.

9. What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. It is my favorite because it is such a special day. A day of love to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Not too many words can explain it, but the day is magical and peaceful. It is so special to see children believe. We can learn so much from them. The smell, the wonder..everything.

10. Are you where you want to be professionally and if not, what will you do about it?

I am working on many things. I love to multitask, it is how I can stay focused. If I become overwhelmed with one thing, I can go continue working on another project. I always like to have something to do. I am working on promoting myself throughout all social media platforms. I am documenting all of my work. I am making a name for myself. I share my passion for education, art and autism and encourage and help others along the way. I put passion in everything I do and have faith and believe that my dreams are coming true. It is important to keep a positive attitude. I have my Bachelor of Science degree in Child Studies with a concentration in early childhood education as well I hold a Master Degree in Education with a concentration in teaching and learning. I am an educator, artist, autism advocate, photographer....the key thing is to keep me believing in me and know that God put this desire in my heart to share it with others. For that, I am thankful and blessed. I will keep on going, enjoying the journey that I must create to open doors.

11. What is your favorite quote?

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
-John Lennon

If I would nominate a blogger for this award it would be right back at J, http://jsackblog.wordpress.com/ She is a very inspiring blogger <3

I will have some nominations. They will be coming up. Stay tuned.



Thank you!!!!

It is such an honor.

Dany

 

 

 

My Boy: Part 41 (Special)

I my eyes, my son is perfect. Although he did not start talking until he was 3 and a half. Although he was not fully potty trained until he was 4 and a half, in my eyes he is perfect. Although he is on the autism spectrum, in my eyes he is perfect. Although he is very sensitive to loud noises and sounds and covers his ears,in my eyes he is perfect. Although he always has to have a little toy in his hand and never wore shoes for the first year of his life, in my eyes he is perfect. Although he has speech therapy and occupational therapy, in my eyes he is perfect. Although he asks many questions multiple times for reassurance, in my eyes he is perfect. Although he has an IEP and is in specialized instruction Kindergarten, in my eyes he is perfect. Although he did not start eating independently until the age of 5, he is perfect in my eyes. Although he watches the same shows, same episodes in the same order when he gets to watch TV, he is perfect in my eyes. He can see. He can hear. He can walk. He can play. He is perfect in my eyes. He can do things for himself. He goes to school, interacts and has friends. He even told me yesterday that his school i snot new anymore because when he started he did not know anybody and know he has a lot of friends. Although he has obsessions, he is perfect in my eyes. Although he has to sleep with toys and I find small toys hidden in socks all the time, he is perfect in my eyes. Autism is his super power. He is unique. He loves to read, to play, to discover and most of all he loves God. He is a strong willed young boy who is wise beyond his years. A true gift from up above. I would not change him for the world. He is just awesome.

In 2008 God blessed us with Jorge Juan.My husband and I waited a long time for him. We have been married since 2001. Many times I have heard that I will not be able to have children or it would be very difficult to have children. That I can share with you all at another time. For now, enjoy life.
As always comments are always welcome.
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