'Tall' Desks. Recess. The Human Learning Dilemma!

Education is re-examining itself in light of new research that shows that 'tall' desks, not regulation,  school desks, are of significant benefit for children's overall health and learning success. ... Who knew? ... It would seem that the commerce machine has done such an incredible job of marketing their 'arsenal of personal and business tools' that we have forgotten that man was made for walking and moving, throughout the day.

Movement = childhood health. It is that simple. Many educational jurisdictions have cancelled recess (15 minutes x 2 per day) to provide more time for 'academic' teaching, the real deal in education, it would seem. ... Is 'book learning' that sacred? ... We must know, by now, the value being discarded when recess is cancelled. How many studies on recess must be done before it is placed in its proper exalted position? Outside free time is the greatest teacher of all, for young children. Having been a special education high school teacher, elementary school parent volunteer and mom to 3 'former' premature infant boys, I have seen the magic unfold during free time with these adults-in-training.

Recess is nothing to joke about, anymore. It is a critical part of a child's day, everyday. Movement is not just about burning calories, it is also about mental and physical health, good habits, longevity and socialization among peer groups. Recess is also a barometer of 'real life' outside of the classroom, a teaching and assessment tool for our children. ... Are we short changing their futures by creating this learning curve imbalance? Who decided that recess was next on the chopping block for educational cuts? Are 'tall' desks, a knee-jerk reaction to the cancellation of recess, the overuse of indoor gadgets and being at the computer, seated, for long periods of time? ...

Education is about many things. The words change but the methodologies remain the same. The goal here is always about successful learning outcomes. Teachers know the value of movement in educating children. Movement is the prelude to learning. Is the tall desk a symptom of something more sinister, not happening in our lives? If our children are seated at the computer much of the day, this new phenomenon - the tall desk - will undoubtedly change all that and help them burn calories, more efficiently, throughout the day. Standing is good. Sitting is not. For two years now,  the Momsey has been using a 'revolution' chair, a rubber 'round' chair that  helps with both balance and posture, utilizing muscles in the lower back while my legs position me. I now must be ever so careful when I sit. It is a mini-workout, in disguise.

Our inactivity is at a point, now, where we are killing ourselves, incrementally. We should be simplifying our lives, not complicating them more by restricting movement and play for our youngest members. How does scheduling 20-30 minutes more for 'academics' into the elementary school curriculum help any child succeed? We are adding more pressure to their already over-scheduled lives. Adults have coffee breaks. (Try and take that away and watch the backlash begin!) Children have recess. We all need a break. Children need it even more. ... An experiment, at three Texas elementary schools, using tall desks for one group of students, in classrooms, found the 'tall' group expended 15% more calories, simply by standing, than the group who used conventional desks, for most of the school day. Understandably, younger children were more inclined to stand than older ones, anyway. (Developmental milestones for young children are only possible through movement.) Fewer hours sitting also benefited chromosomes with reduced risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. The list goes on! Healthy bodies = healthy minds = learning success. ... (Stanford University and the American Academy of Pediatrics seem to agree.)

A child is built for exploration and steady momentum. He is energy, personified! Seated behind a desk, in front of a screen, for long periods of time, is not for the faint of heart, we are now slowly beginning to realize. ... A child's brain, that formative tangible, malleable piece of human machinery - command central - is made for thinking in all ways, with problem-solving, at its core. To create, the body must be in motion. Children learn much about life, outdoors, and reap the health rewards of simply breathing fresh air, there. Yes, breathing is important, too! Imagine that! ... Recess should be an integral part of a child's day - for health, socialization, creativity and simple logic. The forming and assessment of peer relationships demand this special 'outside' time, also. ... For every action we might orchestrate, the gesture becomes more significant in the hands of a child. As I put food into the freezer, one afternoon, decades ago, our kindergartener, wondered into the kitchen and remarked, “Who are we food to?” The question led us to discuss the food chain, dinosaurs, bears and other related content. Out of the mouths of children, we see and hear the future. It is a 'never-ending story.' Free time and freedom of movement - all compile to create a beneficial learning environment for our youngest members.

The internet has changed all the rules of education, making movement and free time for children paramount directives, now. Movement is not an abstract, unwelcome concept that happened, long, long ago, in the good old days. It was a right of passage, then, for all. It should and must be now. Inactivity is slowly becoming the ruination of our species. The 'cost' is incalculable! The obesity epidemic is not looming. It is here! 'Containment' policies do not work with our youngest members. Exploration drives learning, this insatiable quest for knowledge that all children possess. The baby, a younger version of the child, is an out-of-control, squirming, miracle machine attempting to fulfill his own mandate to explore, chew, inhabit, grab, pull, taste, smell, and experience everything he can - before nap time! Our job is simple: to keep him safe, within the boundaries we have chosen for him. His developmental expectations are met through play, this critical assessment of overall health. 

Let tall desks and recess assume their rightful place in our children's lives. Their human need to pounce, jump, fall, explore, laugh, examine and fine-tune the world around them is their mandate. Everything must be considered. ... One size does not fit all!   (Dance, anyone?)

Momsey's Third Anniversary

It is now the third anniversary of the Momsey Blog. Many stories have been written, these past three years, about my love of animals, music, dance and passion for special education. I have learned, and continue to learn, about the world around me. It is a fascinating and absurd world, too.

Writing so many stories has left fewer topics and ideas from which to choose. I must work smarter. How do real writers/authors do it? What they do is an extraordinary feat of endurance. My editor encourages me along the way. She is 23 years old and knows a thing or two about life. ... I am getting older. I knew that was coming but in my haste in making every moment count, I forgot that old age was on my doorstep. Society reminds me that I am an old lady, with freebies or discounts on senior's day. I am not sure I like the reminders. ... I work harder and smarter. ... I tell my body to forget my age. I need to do what needs doing. Time waits for no one! My brain and my body say I am much younger. I fell over a baby gate the other day, a protective barrier, for Mall Cop and the gang, to help contain them. It contained me, momentarily. ... Down I went. Up I got. Nothing hurt. Nothing broken. I guess I'm o.k.   Let's move on. No time for pity. "I don't care". Not bad for an old lady with osteoporosis. 

Courage counts, too, in everyday life. I rarely dine out. I am never quite sure what is in the morsels of food being offered. Being clever in where I dine helps in giving me a taste sensation, once in a while. Recently, eating Chinese food became my renewed dining experience. But after finding metal and hair, in some of the dishes, on a few different occasions, and telling the owner, who did not seem too upset, I thought, “Life is too short" for this ridiculous health and safety gamble. When does it end? People complain about foreign objects in their food on a regular basis, in the news. It seems to be a time-honoured tradition. I am not amused. ...Two weeks ago, I spent the better part of my day making 8 dishes with Chinese influence. Leftovers were slim. The food was delicious. We all enjoyed the rice, the noodle and egg dishes. Bean sprouts and vegetables with chicken and beef dominated the table. Chopsticks did, too.

Our precious 2 year old Mr. Wiggles underwent surgery, recently, to remove an abscess beneath his 'chin'. This vile thing, attached to his majestic innocent little face had changed its form and texture many times before it made its final debut, larger and uglier than ever, last Wednesday evening. We were scared. We visited the Toronto Emergency Veterinary Hospital. They knew us and what to expect from our 'son's' injury. He is recovering nicely and his cousins Mall Cop, Miss E and his sister, Miss S are coping well, too, thinking why does he have a large plastic collar around his neck? "Looks like a radar screen". "Are we under surveillance or what?" Once upon a time, these 'protective' collars were longer, to prevent large dogs from licking, scratching or pulling the area needing to heal. Now, they are shorter, still effective at the prescribed job but now making them viable choices for daytime attire, maybe. (Furniture and people are not victimized, nearly as much, by this newest design, I am happy to say.)

I read a new wellness magazine for dogs and cats. It had been placed into my bag of products on my last trip to the pet store. I never throw out free inserts, 'cause you never know what you are missing. It was a treasure trove of information and shook me to my core when I came upon the page extolling the health virtues of rooibos - caffeine free - tea for dogs. Momsey has used this African tea for many years. I was so excited- as I tend to get- from time to time. I was already privy to rooibos tea's antioxidant properties - years ago - for a dog who seemed to have only weeks to live - (a deadly side effect of her painkiller, her doctor realized, immediately). I figured I had nothing to lose, so this incredible antioxidant tea was given to her and her companion for the reminder of their lives to kill off any invading cancer cells and keep them 'healthy'. So glad I did. Now I shall begin anew.

The health benefits of Rooibos tea are now becoming mainstream for dogs. Imagine that! Then there are 7 top seeds for dog health, this magazine states. Amazing! Amazing! There is camelina- (high in Vitamin E), chia, pumpkin, quinoa, sesame, hemp and sunflower. It would seem we should all be eating like dogs and reading animal wellness magazines, too, for the latest in human health! The nutritional content of these seeds are incredible and recipes are provided in this 'free to a good home' magazine. Keeping an open mind helps to keep the mind open to health advances, too.

I am surrounded by incredible smart, hardy and beautiful women -(men, too) - and am fortunate to be a part of their lives or how else could I be the Momsey!  Last year, I realized a YouTube video would have to be made, dispelling stereotypes where special children are concerned. I had an epiphany and the truth came out. No time for fear. No time for why me? It is showtime for children! In concrete terms, vulnerable children learn through sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing. The plan is in place; the three songs, chosen. Stand-up and move. It is that simple and yet profound. (Yeast dough is not the only way.) The YouTube video will showcase the 'behaviours of learning' for at-risk children. Momsey will lead. Who else? Not for the faint of heart. Oh, what a day that will be! I hope I know what I am doing. But I do. I really do.

Music and dance can transform lives and learning, in an instant. Apples and fruit are important features of a healthy life. An apple a day is really true. Vegetables are incredible allies, too. Sugar is sugar, even if it is organic! Avoid sugar substitutes. The body does not know what to do with them. Use the real thing. Reduce and enjoy the real flavour of your food. And add turmeric when making chicken soup. I do. It is so amazing! Our body will always tell us the truth of what we are eating. Listen to it. It never lies. ...

Crossing The Boundaries of Good Taste

The commercial showed a cute golden retriever puppy - falling off a moving truck, then desperately trying to find its way home. Across fields, railway tracks and dangerous roads, the puppy made its way home. Upon its arrival, a surprise was waiting. While it had been away 'on vacation', its owner had sold the precious little dog to someone else, a quick response to a sale, a solution to a problem. The search engine had done its job. But at what cost to the viewing audience?

The public outcry was palpable. The commercial was lifted from the docket and all was well with the world. But the Momsey found it, easily, on the web, nonetheless, the forever home for all manner of anything. Be careful what you wish for. It took no effort, just simple steps, to see what the fuss was all about. I now understood. I was not amused, either. I took exception to the marketing intent and the innocent player in this latest mini docu-drama. 

 

'Innocent' players are always fair game in today's marketplace, it would seem, in the selling of any and all products. The new twist today, however, is the public's quick access to the top players in this power game called advertising. Texting had made its presence felt, in a heartbeat. The commercial was pulled.  Another commercial, advertising a cleanser, has the owner's little children immersing a small 'scared' dog into the 'colourful' bathtub in a cute little exercise of water play, a simple wanton disregard of the poor little dog's 'rights'. Where was the supervision? The 'Camera' or a moron. Who leaves little children in a bathroom to 'wash' a precious little dog, with or without out adult supervision? Who does that? Who thought the commercial funny? Not me! The animal's ears tell the story. 

 

As a forty plus years dog owner and 12 years, as a cat owner, TheMomsey knows scared, petrified and frightened when she sees it. Disgusting. What were they thinking? Money is the currency. It is as simple as that. The 'commercial' parents are understandably shocked, in a comical sort of way. How did the producers of this gig and the makers of the product find an animal willing to undergo such humiliation? Where was informed consent? Was there a paw print for the signature? What was the audition standard? 

 

Was it a rescue dog, with no rights, at all? Or a pet with actual owners who cared? It shocked me to see such fear in the 'ears' of yet another marginalized powerless little creature.  (Let us hope the little dog received an upgrade in its food status). ...Forget me as a customer. there. ... Then there was the Great Dane and the 'beautification' ritual being orchestrated upon its cute animal face by a little girl, lipstick all around. The dog food company's motives were clear. Yet one message rang through for me: I will not be buying this well-known pet food. The hypocrisy was crystal clear.

The husband had sent this message of respect and admiration, for his wife, to the producers of the talk show that day. She was seated in the audience, not aware of the accolades coming her way, very soon. ... She would be honoured. Oh my, who wouldn't be? Her resume was quite impressive. She was raising other people's children and her own. She was a mother to 7 - 3 biological and 4 foster children. Getting out was a rare occasion and a feat of great organizational skill, considering the schedules of her army of little children. She was a general. ... (The words of pride and admiration from her husband were a welcome relief from the usual 'news' from daytime talk shows.)  I listened as the host of the 4 panel members - all female - read his text-message on air. He wanted the world to know about his selfless super-star wife. In their 13 year marriage, this wonder woman had cared for 45 children whose parents could not. I listened for the story's unveiling, hoping to hear from mom herself. The gifts the show would ultimately bestow upon her, this incredible 'societal gift', would come soon, I thought. I could not have undertaken this incredible mothering feat: caring for so many children over such a short period of time. I was a mere mortal, having mothered only three boys. She was an angel, a role model of strength and courage, to all, to say the least!

Who was this incredible  woman? How did she do it? Then the unthinkable happened. The story stopped, its message of love coming to an end. The audience clapped and the moment was gone, forever lost to the archival files of this talk show. Then the real news began, the news we all wanted and were desperate to see and hear: the misadventures of two adversarial singing sensations and the nearly nude photographs of a 'reality' star found splayed in a magazine, unfamiliar to me. (Wasn't this the wrong place for these pictures?) Tasteless, boring and totally disappointing. I wanted more on the super-star mother-wife but that would not be happening. The lives of the rich and famous always came first, making our lives far  more interesting, meaningful, fulfilling and purposeful!!

As a society, we are crossing so many boundaries, in the myriad of on-air formats, time after time, to garner the much coveted viewing audience? Where are we going with this? Are we de-sensitizing ourselves and our children to the values that make us human? We have commercials where tasteless acts of comedy are presented to sell a product or service, using innocent little creatures beside innocent little children. 

 

When does adult behaviour assume its rightful place, in our lives? There are no limits we cross. Then we have news/talk shows with a poor sense of balance in what they showcase for the viewing audiences to see and hear. ... Gossip is petty, time-wasting and boring. Is there no intelligent life up here?