There is a great amount of research available, as well as debate about the research, regarding the amount of "screen time" that our children experience these days. Screen time is no longer relegated to television either. Certainly video games and Ipads, even your phone apps were never envisioned when the early cautionary messages were issued years ago. Regardless of what side of the debate you are on, it is imperative that we consider the physiological AND the sociological effects of using these types of electronic media to entertain or teach.

Our preschool is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and as such we must comply with their very specific regulations on the use of screen time within a preschool setting. There are strict limits. I am pleased to advise that we NEVER have an issue with compliance on this topic!! Our philosophy of teaching children through play and meaningful, age appropriate activities aligns perfectly with the intent of the ADHS guidelines.

To perfectly illustrate our commitment to play based, non-techy methods one need only have witnessed last week's Courtyard Curriculum-Down on the Farm fun! Shopping carts and pretend "grocery store", farm animals and barns, "milking cows" (yep, udderly hilarious), sorting and matching egg patterns, and the best of all, two sensory tables! One was filled with black and white large beans (yep, just beans!) and measuring cups for pouring and mixing; and the other table was our "apple pie" mixture of flour, and cloves, and nutmeg and cinnamon, with plastic apples of all colors. It smelled heavenly and was simply the best way to sift, measure, pour, weigh, and create!!! And, yep, no internet connection needed. We just "connected" with the kiddos and had a blast!!!! I would definitely urge that you DO "try this at home"!

From the book, "Parent on Purpose", by Amy Carney......When we start a family tradition that celebrates something we value , a part of us lives on and comes to life every time the family talks about or celebrates that tradition. Traditions are the unique ways we teach values and build family legacies. They are the glue that holds a family together and provide children with comfort because they create predictability in an unpredictable world.

Weekly Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to reach out and stay connected to the people in my life that are important to me. Please watch over them as I keep them in my prayers always. Amen