Valorie Delp's comments

Developmental Milestones and When You Should Worry - Blog Entry

16 Dec 2008 04:58 AM

Thanks for your comment but I have to say that after over a decade of working with kids. . .I've certainly observed this. I will look to see if I can find some links to some good research. But there is quite a bit of research indicated that in many areas boys develop more slowly.

Friend or Parent to Your Child? - Blog Entry

13 Dec 2008 04:57 AM

I still have little kids. . .we're just starting to get into the tween years with one. . .and I always tend to think of it as being their parent so that I can be their friend later on.

Miley Cyrus Scores a Used Car and Stars Seek Out Obama - Blog Entry

12 Dec 2008 01:50 PM

Am I dense or just not that interested in inaugural proceedings? I don't remember anyone else having such an entertainment laden inauguration.

Them's the Breaks! - Blog Entry

12 Dec 2008 12:23 PM

Glad you're back up again Dale!

What to Do When You Can't Afford Preschool - Blog Entry

12 Dec 2008 09:41 AM

If you are really interested in the homeschooling route for preschool. . .we should talk more. ;-) For awhile there I had my own little preschool I had so many that were that age. . . I still have 3 in the "preschool age" category. You will find that by reading, talking, playing games and doing normal every day things that they will come ahead by far and away than their preschooled peers. It's a fun time because they are sponges. I'm a big fan of the book Better Late than Early--I think it's by Moore. It is pretty anti-preschool but don't rule it out just because of that. It has some really insightful things to say about how children learn--and well worth the read even if you don't come away loving every single piece of information in it. The research therein is very, very solid--and eye opening.

What to Do When You Can't Afford Preschool - Blog Entry

12 Dec 2008 05:03 AM

Yeah--I understand. But I am very much of the mind set that no one can make you feel guilty unless you give them your permission. It happens in the sand box when jr. can't walk and all his friends can at 9mos. It's not new in preschool. In general, I'm very disappointed in the educational powers that be that talk so much about the wonders of preschool but fail to mention reading as a developmental mile stone (and math too). No one every mentions that several of the top educational programs in the world actually start at 8 or 9.

I'm not opposed to pk--I know there are parents who need it to work etc. but I do wish the entire conversation was different--make sense?

Would You Allow Your Child to Wear a Purity Ring? - Blog Entry

12 Dec 2008 04:59 AM

I actually find them to be pretty extreme as well--in many, many areas of life. ;-)

What to Do When You Can't Afford Preschool - Blog Entry

11 Dec 2008 02:00 PM

But see I would say why does that put pressure on parents? Assessing a child where they're at shouldn't put pressure on the parents--yet it does bc they *think* having their child in the *lower* class is a bad thing. Parents frequently fail to recognize that reading is very much developmental. (And educators, unfortunately aren't entirely permitted to tell them!

A Warning for Hybrid Homeschoolers - Blog Entry

11 Dec 2008 01:56 PM

Definitely not for most of us. . .but we will find ourselves more and more hybridding (like my new word?) as my son gets older. I don't think there are other options.

What to Do When You Can't Afford Preschool - Blog Entry

11 Dec 2008 04:59 AM

Sorry--but I don't buy the burn out theory. I think there are a lot of other factors to consider regarding homeschooling.

Kindergartens do NOT expect a child to read before they get there. They do expect them to know their letters and letter sounds. To be honest, what I see more and more is aggressive parent syndrome. They want their child to be the best and if one kid reads--then by golly gosh they want it to be theres. NCLB doesn't even test for reading in K. . .however, there is pressure for K teachers to have a class reading by then end of K.