Mom...let's play 'car math' - in Spanish!
Cynthia Simmonds (October 23, 2012) - "Mom, let's play 'car math' - in Spanish!" Like most modern moms, I spend a lot of time driving my children places: violin lessons, swimming lessons, Language Stars (twice a week), etc.
ZPD...Where learning occurs
Cynthia Simmonds (August 22, 2012) - As I’ve mentioned previously, one of my favorite theorists is Lev Vygotsky. He was a Russian psychologist who studied cognitive development. In a former blog, I wrote about his view of language—that it has two functions. First, it allows us to communicate with others. Second, it allows us to “plan, monitor and guide” our own behavior. Most of us would admit to “talking to ourselves” when working on a particularly difficult problem. In this respect, language allows us to think.
Yet another lesson for mom...in Polish!
Cynthia Simmonds (July 12, 2012) - Yet another lesson for mom...in Polish! When we last left our Language Explorers, they had just finished a week of Mandarin Camp. They had a blast and are anxiously awaiting Spanish Camp in August. Katie has been wondering who their teacher will be—she’s hoping for Claudio or Fatima!
Mom...I want to learn sign language
Cynthia Simmonds (July 25, 2012) - "Mom...I want to learn sign language." declared Katie one morning. “Sign language?” I asked, “What is sign language?” “Mom,” Katie replies rolling her eyes, “it’s when you talk with your hands.”
Long Live Vygotsky
Cynthia Simmonds (May 16, 2012) - Long Live Vygotsky. One of my favorite classes to teach is Child Development. I loved studying the theorists in grad school—and I have shelves of books to prove it. However, even better than studying child development is seeing it in action—through my children.
