Play and The Power of Words

For our first born son, 'play' became the critical instrument of language. The year was 1979. (His early arrival- 3 months prematurely- signalled a long journey towards language acquisition, proficiency and learning). ... I remember well his homecoming -two months later, one month ahead of his original due date. Here was this tiny, vulnerable human being-(5 pounds, 2 ounces)- requiring 24 hour care and intensive therapy, lasting five years. He was considered a high risk child, then, a candidate for special education, later. How could we help him ? An inner peace enveloped me that afternoon as I held him and gazed into his face and wondered, “What could we give him that would last a lifetime?” Then, I knew. It would be a ‘mind of his own’, the gift of the spoken word! 

Words, thoughts and ideas would give him the power and ability to make responsible choices for his long term health, life success and happiness. (Nothing or no one could match wits with the power of the human mind to defend itself).. (Today, he is 'Mall Cop's' dad, whose comedic transformation, from time to time, reminds me of Bob Hope, the greatest comedian of all of the last century)...

When we enter a child’s world of play, it is with reverence that we stay. There are no rules! We need only pay homage to this 'early adult' that stands before us, engaged in sounds and words, the result of the young burgeoning mind steeped in experiential learning. We listen and wait to be admitted into the magical world he has created. We are a part of the beginning of his thought process, a witness to his learning. When other children are present, we ask permission to join them. ... They are in charge. They must be for they are in the world of their own making. We are simply visitors to this special place. ... 

Language in ‘play’ is language in context. It is within these meaningful moments of the spoken word, aligned with movement, that children learn the valuable lessons of language and the power they wield!. Basic fundamentals of language begin with these special spontaneous moments from which noises and human sounds emanate. From there we have words, phrases, then complete thoughts. We set the course. The modelling of language begins here. ...

At-risk children require a more direct, concerted approach to the building of their vocabulary, a major component to language acquisition. (It is critical that words are spoken not how they are spoken.) The 'putting of words into their mouths' creates a unique path to learning and helps to introduce them to foreign words of all types. 

This physical act of pronouncing new words is not an easy task, but a task, nonetheless, and an important learning step. It is a form of brain re-structuring, the result of brain use when new/foreign words are heard, then spoken. Here, the auditory sense is stimulated as it would be in music. ... Allowing our child the freedom to explore during play and in his surroundings assists in the building of his short term and long term memory/vocabulary and the scaffolding of language. The tools of this early language delivery system is helped by engaging with other children, using wooden blocks/ Lego, music, large crayons, paper, the hands, questions, Mother Nature and a caring adult- the greatest toy ever devised. ..("Caring for/ "Life of a Preemie"-07/08-2012,"Speech Therapy"-06-2012 and "Special Education"-04-2012)

Play is an instrument of thinking, learning, quiet introspection and having fun. It is a fundamental, concrete component in this childhood journey towards language acquisition, lifelong learning and mental health. Children learn from each other all the time and sometimes, the greatest lessons are gleaned from this unique interaction with one another. When children vocalize later than expected, is it  because they are too busy watching, listening and doing?  We must be patient. ... For it is play, this very powerful mechanism of learning about life and other children that helps unleash the creativity and the power of the spoken word within each child. There is no substitution for that!
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'When Mall Cop is There'

There he stood in his black regalia, overlooking the crowd, watching out for ‘him’, his adoring fan, his overbearing, annoying, 55-pound cousin: our 6-month-old 'infant' male retriever! He was never quite sure what to expect from this newest member of the family. ...  At 3 years old, standing 10 inches tall and weighing 20 pounds, this diminutive apparition - Mall Cop - knew and understood his mandate: to protect his baby sister, also, a 6 month old 'infant' but weighing only 12 pounds, from this lovable 55 pound menace of the ‘yard’. He is Mall Cop, after all, a name coined by his doting parents!

Mall cop, my 3 year old ‘grandson’, a Pomeranian/Terrier mix, is a force to reckon with, a solitary man, whose view of the world is simple: "Mess with me, squirt, and you'll mess with me". ... Any attempt to thwart his authority will be meted out by a growl, a chase, a few well placed nibbles, in rapid succession. In his world, size does not matter. He is, after all, Mall Cop, a security unit of one. 

My husband and I have been the owners to a host of retrievers for over 40 years. Our pet family has now grown to include Mall cop, and his sister -Miss E.- a mini schnauzer, the other 'infant' in our family. ... (10 year old kitty cat just sits, watches and waits for the energy to dissipate knowing Mall Cop is there.)

Babysitting all four dogs brings new meaning to chaos. With a mix of genders, breeds, sizes, ages and personalities, every day is a chaotic reminder that Mall cop is near to help ‘mind the pen’. My initial fear has now been replaced by mind numbing fatigue! Each pup brings new meaning to love, warmth, humour and a strict adherence to protocol. 

Our 6-month-old male retriever spends his waking hours, walking and licking, in air-biting play, while wiggling to the absurd. He is our Mr. Wiggles also known as the Wiggler. His playmate, the petite 6-month-old mini schnauzer cousin, engages with him in seeming mindless play, every which way, with the many rubber toys/ squeaky balls that lie in wait for their playing enjoyment in the yard. She snaps at her cousin's attention- if taken too far. What lady wouldn’t? Then enters, Mall cop, her brother, a lovable man of mystery, reason and action. “Enough, already” he seems to say. “Unhand her, sir”, he continues, as our 6-month-old retriever touches his little cousin, momentarily, in biting play. 

The animation stops, suddenly, when ‘The Law’ appears reminding all that the final decree rests with me! As night time approaches, however, quiet time is announced. Exhaustion has arrived for animal and human alike. Morning will soon be here and the mayhem of a another day will begin, with Mall cop on duty, once more. (The oldest, the 74 pound, 5 year old female retriever, is disinterested with all she sees and leaves all to their own personal trials and daily dilemmas.)

It is chewing time, now, a moment replayed over and over again. It is a time of co-opertive play and teeth cleaning/gum massaging. All are busy. Suddenly two new tapered antler bones, of different sizes, were introduced into play. ... These objects of chewing delight become the most sought after instruments of chewing 'candy' and desired by all. ... (These elk and deer antlers are well known today for their chewing safety and health benefits, with added minerals.) . 

Four dogs, two bones, made the next scene rather challenging. Brother was paired with sister to help diffuse the tension, while waiting in line! With a room full of objects to chew, it was a crisis for these furry little creatures when only two 'choice' antlers were available. Eventually, each duo has had their allotted chewing time with the gum massaging, non-splintering, mineral based delights. A quiet time unlike any other! I was witness to an amazing feat of self control from the doggy world! Not a growl, toothy grin, snap or gnashing of teeth from any of these energetic, bone loving creatures, as each waited for their turn at the chewing carousal. 

Give them what they need! They will give you what you want! Knowing and understanding the quirks of my furry children and grandchildren helps in my role as doggy day care provider. Insecurities and uncertainties help create the doggy dilemmas we encounter. In working with dogs, consistency and boundaries are imperatives in helping them develop into well adjusted lovable family companions. In our case, no matter what, Mall Cop is there, my second in command!

(Cautionary note: Deer antlers are not recommended by veterinarians as broken teeth have been reported beginning in 2020)

Special Education: A New Day, A Radical Approach

A new school year is here. For children, whose learning styles are a challenge to educators, that first day of school can be a date with the unknown, fraught with fear, excitement and a whole mix of feelings in between.  The stomach says it all.  As the student enters the classroom, that first day, let it be with awe, the feeling that says that what you are about to experience is like nothing you have ever experienced before. ("We're Smarter Than Adults"-9/2012, A Hat, A Mat and Music, 5/2012)

Let music be a part of the school day from the beginning.  Music has a profound effect on the brain, a calming or energizing welcome to the beginning of a new day. (The type of music will decide the effect on the brain and body.) ...  In a special education class, music should be the order of the day, as it relieves the stress that may be present in the young at-risk mind.  (A ‘snack’ bar containing homemade food, fruit and veg. should be available. Pizza, doughnuts and freshly made pasta-all class made- can be  available or sold, a reminder of the learning outcomes of the class.) The special ed. classroom should be like home in all ways possible.

Within the confines of the classroom environment, it is the teacher, the student’s trusted advisor, who sets the tone and steers the classroom in the direction of its learning goals. Let the teacher, whose years of training for this monumental undertaking, have the freedom to do what must be done: to extract all there is from each child amid the chaos and silence that sometimes reside inside his mind!

From 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., it is tea time, a period of calm, the planning of the day's events, tasting, and music appreciation.  It is a structured time for listening and conversation, valuable skills learned early in life. Let us not be haste in our judgement of what is happening or not happening within the walls of this classroom. There is a plan. (The teacher knows it as does the principal. She is a trained professional) Let us not be in a hurry to introduce the alphabet and numbers, the foundation upon which words, thoughts, thinking and learning are based. For special children, a different approach is required that softens their view of school and their place within it ... For the rest of the school day, let it be a softened approach with music at its core.

The at-risk child is many things. He is young, awkward, shy, aggressive, has poor self esteem, attention and memory skills.  He manifests moments of genius, occasionally, but no one fully understands the complete picture. He is at the mercy of those who put him on a waiting list for testing to determine what problems are hampering his learning ability. So we wait.  Let us assume there is a problem and act accordingly. ... The Arts are the secret weapon in the teacher’s arsenal of teaching strategies and tools for those at-risk students. Studies have shown the powerful influence of The Arts on academic learning. Music can begin, simply, as a theater for listening and movement. The lessons are not important. Structure is.  The whole body must be prepared for the vast universe of learning that will occur. (Do not focus simply on the brain. There is a body attached!)...

Ask teachers what is best suited for their class and they will tell you-just leave me alone to do my work. Let music rule the day. Let its companions- listening, singing, and movement- become as much a part of the elementary school curriculum as the letters of the alphabet and numbers always have been. Preparing the whole body helps to prepare the whole brain for the job that awaits: higher order thinking/academic learning. (Music is math. Singing is words.) Together they become an invincible dynamic duo. Let the music play!

Brokering the Deal, A Child's Perspective

He approached the retail counter where the saleswoman was standing. He hoped to negotiate a deal today. ... Though he was only 9 years old, he knew he was on his own in this particular circumstance.  There was no turning back.

It was the first time our son had had the opportunity to alter the rules in the retail game. The baseball cap he wanted was five dollars more than he had. (Then there was the tax) His brothers had been given the same amount of money before we left for the three day trip to Ottawa to visit friends. Two of the boys had enough money for their purchases. Our youngest did not. A dilemma was presented.  What could he do? (More money was not an option. Another solution had to be found.)  The store was closing and we would be on our way, soon.

A possible solution to his monetary crisis was presented to our son. (If he were to lose out on buying this  much wanted cap, a lesson in “you can’t have everything you want’ would be the result, a lesson we all have had.)  Before his brothers’ purchases were made, we held back one item, another baseball cap. It would become the bargaining tool our youngest would need to solve his retail dilemma. We rehearsed, at length, what he would say, to whom he would speak and why the second -unpaid- hat would help. Everything was carefully scripted.  Was he too young to match wits with a seasoned salesclerk?  We would soon find out.

With a clear cut strategy in place, he was ready to proceed.  His conversational skills were his strongest suit so he hoped his ‘training’ there could be put to good use. He waited as the woman at the counter moved towards her newest customer.  At a height shorter than an adult, he was hidden from view by the display counter, not easily seen or heard, when he spoke. Soon his fears were allayed when she acknowledged his presence. (I waited several meters away, hidden by a pillar while watching the proceedings, not wanting to be noticed.) The  animated drama began to unfold.

The success or failure of these negotiations was his alone to bear. I watched as the saleswoman left to speak to another person. ...  (Speaking to someone in charge was his only recourse, I had told him, minutes earlier.) He would have to ask for her superior.  This would be a supervisor or a department manager.  These people were usually the only ones with the power to intervene in a sales transaction in lowering  a price. Now two people were involved in his sales pitch. The deal was done; the transaction, completed. He had brokered a deal and learned a valuable sales lesson in the process. Words had power!

In the retail game anything is possible. All it takes is the courage to ask the question.  He had maneuvered himself into a power position and garnered himself some wisdom in the process. ...  Though we could have given our son the extra five dollars, a principle was at stake here. In the real world, a money tree does not exist and extra money is not always possible. Asking the question, "Would you accept...?" in any retail scenario never hurts. 

Our youngest smiled. He had succeeded in purchasing his baseball cap at a price he could afford and had done it all on his own.  He was respectful, polite and explained clearly his intention: a price that was equal not better than the price being charged for his brother's cap. His reasonable request, coupled with two possible sales not one, helped to cement the deal.  He was, after all, only 9 years old. The money he had was all he had and money, he knew, did not grow on trees.

More Than Just a Superfood for Babies!

Scientists have called human milk the ultimate super food in preventing disease in the premature baby.  In its early stage of production, human milk, called colostrum, is an incredible pharmaceutical giant produced by lactation. ..  Contained inside this creamy coloured milk is an army of biological soldiers ready to rid the baby's body of deadly pathogens as they enter and spread disease to the delicate interior cavity of the premature infant. ...The name of one such disease is called necrotizing enterocolitis  (NEC). ... Its nemesis is mother’s milk, the great equalizer in protecting these vulnerable babies from this sinister, virulent disease which spells death to the intestines of the  immature infant, born too soon.  

Research published in the June 2012 issue of Discover, showed that complex human milk sugars, called oligosaccharides - (HMO) - and something called pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor - (PSTI)- were found to be present in human milk, helping to protect the preemie against NEC. ... (These oligosaccharides seemed to act as a ‘cleanser’ in flushing out the deadly bacteria responsible for this horrible disease) Several mitigating factors affecting the survival of the preemie are his birth weight, state of health at birth and his gestational age.  Losing out on the third trimester, a critical 3 month period of growth and development, the premature infant’s life is now in jeopardy.  The safety of the womb is gone, forever. ... Enter, the incubator, the baby's climate controlled, manmade womb.

The NICU doctor met my husband a few days after our son’s early birth in 1979. His surprise at the reason why my husband was there, that early morning, upgraded our son’s 5% chance of survival to 10%. A meager 2 ounces of mother’s milk, collected over many sessions, contained in a sterilized bottle, housed within an ice bucket, was the star attraction, that early morn. It was at that moment that the doctor realized that the team effort, for our son, extended far beyond the walls of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. ... It would be a meeting we would never forget. ... In 1979, we believed in what we had to do. Back then, few people knew or understood much about the importance of human milk in the diet of babies, let alone premature infants. For us, it was premium, easily digested 'formula', readily available. (Preemie milk was also different, I would learn weeks later, an early premium grade milk, designed specifically for the unique needs of the preemie, for his ‘time lost’ in the womb.)  Back then, we were naive but resolute in our commitment to our baby. I had also learned of the importance of using fresh milk, whenever possible, in providing added health benefits for him.  As science had stated in 1979, previously frozen milk de-activated an ingredient aiding in the baby's growth and development.  Our daily routines changed as science made us more aware of new data. Internet did not exist!....(Giving Birth to a Preemie/Caring for a Preemie-7/8, 2012)

Now research, in the 2012 issue of Discover, was touting human milk as the best thing for human disease prevention for the premature baby. ...  Dr. Mark Underwood, a neonatologist at University of California / Davis and his colleagues were now focusing on the health potential of human milk in a way never thought of previously. It is an exciting period in neonatal health.  This magical potion called mother’s milk is now being scientifically proven to be the best defense against the diseases of the severely premature infant. WOW!   It was a remarkable moment in  medical science.

A special event occurred in Copenhagen, Denmark in May 2011. It was the 1^st International Conference on the Glycobiology of Human Milk Oligosaccharides.  Scientists from all over the globe gathered there in great numbers to share their research and tell the world why mother’s milk was the best. Breast milk would be proven to be more than just about superb infant nutrition. It would now be about health and disease prevention. Mother’s milk was simply, the elixir of all life!

"You Make the Best Butter Tarts!"

“You make the best butter tarts in the world”, he remarked.  “Really?”  Oh, my. ... I was surprised by the comment- coming from my husband- so with pen in hand I decided to give some insights into my philosophy of baking desserts. 

There are numerous poor choices in the  dessert marketplace, vying for our attention. Usually, they contain an overabundance of sugars/corn syrups and other questionable ingredients/fillers that the body does not want/need or cannot process very easily. (Let us not overwhelm our bodies with ingredients created in a laboratory. Mother Nature knows best!) 

Butter tarts are a delicious treat. Using a whole wheat/cake flour mix can be the basis for a new kind of pastry, a healthier one. But it is possible to make other changes in subtle ways, not necessarily noticeable to the discerning eye or taste buds. The addition of ground flaxseeds onto the pastry prior to the addition of the filling in making butter tarts is one way to increase the health quotient of the butter tarts without altering its flavour/texture status. 

Substituting maple syrup for corn syrup and including fresh lemon juice, as well,  can make butter tarts a welcoming addition in making these tarts. We now know that seeds have numerous health benefits so it makes sense to include them when whenever possible in baking, too. (Chia, pumpkin, sesame, poppy and sunflower seeds are notable heavyweights). (Filling: 2 eggs, butter, lemon juice or vinegar -(in the filling and pastry)- then brown sugar, not white, whipped with butter.

Next, we have homemade pasta dishes -ravioli, perogies, noodles- all favourites of mine whose recipes can always be tweaked to enhance their health benefits easily. At some point, we must get over the taste of things we do not like, especially, if it is something our bodies need to stave off cancer, heart disease or stroke. The point of eating is for longevity and health! (Eating is not a hobby to be taken lightly.) ... 

Trying something new or making something differently makes eating an adventure. I have made terrible dough while trying to remake it. My dear mother-in-law happened to be visiting when my worst perogy dough was presented to her to eat. The next time, it was my best dough, ever. (She was there for the remake.)   A balance in what we do in remaking a recipe is the prudent way to go, after all, we learn by our mistakes.

Mixing different flours, adding eggs and oil to plain ‘envelope’ dough can infuse flavours and add health benefits. Chopping tiny amounts of spinach/kale/Swiss chard into a sauerkraut filling can enhance flavour and health benefits not customarily associated with these carbohydrate ‘packages’. Leaving the skin on potatoes wherever possible and adding just a small amount of fat into a multi ingredient dish is wonderful way to avoid overeating.  Rolling dough as thin as possible also helps to reduce carbohydrate intake, a bonus to health. 

Using buckwheat kasha as a filling for cabbage rolls, instead of rice, is another healthy change of pace. ... (Kasha filling was a favourite of my dad’s)   To improve the health benefits of using rice, I decided to take a chance on using the lowly celery in massive amounts along with onions and garlic, to a lesser degree. The result: flavour through the roof, a healthy rice filling great on its own or as an accompaniment to other meats or fish. In an emergency moment, I had to use Japanese sushi rice. The flavour was tops! The basmati rice was absent. substitutions can be the best mistakes ever.

Improving any dish simply requires a desire for change. Food is our ally in the attainment and maintenance of good health. Keeping records of the changes you make, as you reformulate recipes, will provide a written record of what works or doesn't work, guiding you in the right direction. The food supply system has changed. Maybe, what we use to make our traditional dishes/desserts needs to change, too. Will that be kasha or rice cabbage rolls? with butter tarts for dessert.

 

 

Muscle Mass and Me

We had just finished buying groceries. As I grabbed the bags and attempted a quick departure from the supermarket, my husband implored me to stop and give him one. How would it look to others, he remarked, a woman carrying all the bags of groceries while the man just walked beside her?   I relented, not wanting to hurt his feelings. He understood my reluctance to part with even one bag. My muscle mass was at stake, after all!

I lift, stretch, jump, and walk quickly, as often as possible, and dance. These are all benefits for bones, muscles and joints. Movement of any sort is both restorative and life giving. ... When ‘puppy boy’ was alive, his 88 pound body required lifting, up and down a few stairs to go outside/inside. ...  Gentle support was always provided to initiate movement for him and to make it as safe as was possible. ...  (In winter, ice was a constant reminder of how easily it was to fall-for both of us. ... He was an old guy being helped by an old girl!) ... 

Movement is necessary and an ongoing requirement for all of us, in building and retaining muscle mass.  I have fallen down the stairs on a few occasions and slipped on ice, disguised under light fallen snow and still managed not to break a bone though the bruises were reminders of these miscues. ... On  those occasions, I laughed at myself, hoping my brain would think it was simply misadventure on the part of a young person. ... Could I have elasticity, not easily measured in a bone density test? ... (I am at a high risk, though I do not know why.) ...  Lifting or carrying ‘heavy’ objects are an important part of my day whenever and wherever possible. It is a form of ‘resistance training’ that puts stress on the body, in a healthy way, strengthening bones and muscles,I have learned.  ...  When muscles are strengthened, bones benefit, too.  (Probably the mind, too)

In winter, we heat with firewood, our primary fuel source. This activity is a constant reminder, a built-in ‘resistance training’ chore, for me in bone strengthening. It is also invigorating. ...  (I have learned to breathe deeply and properly, in making lifting easier, much like the cleansing breath during childbirth. Deep breathing helps to move muscles/ease heart stress.)  Our tendency to hold our breath when fear strikes or when lifting heavy objects creates a burden on our heart while immobilizing our muscles.  Proper breathing is always a must when any work is being done.  

Challenging our bodies physically is necessary to maintain a certain level of strength as we age. Diet is our biggest ally, however, overlooked in so many ways in our quest to find answers to health problems or fatigue. Sugar seems to be a major culprit in our body’s ills, so we should be vigilant in how much we consume and also its origin. Sugar in its ‘natural habitat’ (fruit and vegetables) is much better than ‘processed’ sugar from questionable sources. ... Fresh Fruits and vegetables, otherwise known as live enzymes, are definite requirements for  the overall health of bones, muscles and organs. The profit margins in Mother Nature’s foods are low so it stands to reason that the food marketing machine‘s advertising campaign is on other ‘food like substances‘.  How inconvenient is it to eat an apple or peel a banana?

As we age, every opportunity to challenge our bodies should be undertaken, helping to offset, minimize or eliminate the adverse affects of short term acts of sabotage in our diet and exercise plans. Moving  benefits the whole body, especially, our bones and muscles. To Mother Nature who has bestowed upon us some of the greatest tools on earth: fruits and vegetables, we pay homage to her power and wisdom.