Bit of this

Meditation for the day: Dorothy's red shoes watching the world go by past the shop window, while waiting for their adventure to begin.

I gaze for ages framing and reframing. Sodding shoulder had become so overwhelming, focusing down to the minutia takes my body away, until I turn to find a teenager gazing at the batty old woman with a camera. I wink he continues to stare.

Corse the snap is binned, tis the process not the end product. Whoops could be a life statement.

Bit of that

Appro of bugger all

This is Eric he resides 2 doors down, invites himself inside, and has a howl suitable as a sound effects for person suffering from sodding shoulder syndrome.

Bit of this

The first white violets catch the sun shine.

The youngsters in Costa's are a tad stressed. The reason is the new creation requires a special flick to attain the perfect presentation. Many are despondent and one walked off midflick.

This is his second attempt to upgrade the meter. His face falls, I offer him a mars and a coffee as a consolation prize. He drives away and I remain in a state of un-upgradedness.

Bit of that

I like a dog a day

Bit of thist

Wiithin the warmth of the day there is an explosion of tiny black gnats.

The warmth is also the perfect climatic conditions for a love fest in the school pond. I have never seen so many frogs all together.

"You are off the footpath, it is a bit confusing", nope I know exactly where I am and I am enjoying your wild life. Oh he falters seen any. My smile is oblivousy isrristsable he gets back in his landrover and drives away.

Bit of that

Do gnats dance?

Bit of this

She is showing off her skills on the climbing frame, suddenly telling me to "stay there a minute", nibble legs run over to the wild bit where she searches arriving back with a huge leaf. "Here for you".

Those who are to be obeyed (because they know best and can save us from "special measures") are standing in for an hour, to cover for the young teacher. I watch in utter amazement as the gang and I come in to help tidy up. The bottom of the dressing up box is not full of clothes, they are on the floor, but several children. "Is it a bus or a train" her that has come along to support those who are to be obeyed encourages. While I am trying to encourage them out. "Not at tidy up time" I snap "it's a dressing up box". Those who are to be obeyed are watching the rest of them bounce on the mattress in the corner. Telling them to tidy it up. Now the children have lots of skills but they have not yet mastered the art of bed making from scratch, without a helping hand. So they are doing what they do best, bouncing.

At going home time I spot 4 of the children who were left in their charge still sat waiting for a pick up. While they examine the g pigs. Latter I put my arms around the young teacher who is always having a crisis of confidence. "You are marvelous" I say, "even I am marvelous today". And don't let them buggers tell you other wise.

Bit of that

G pig enjoying a bit of language and literacy.

Bit of this

Friday

Power to the cause one of the mums offers to do a poster encouraging tidy litter habits, to go with my collage of dropped litter that I am hell bent on sicking up. Even better she proves to be a governor. Perhaps she will motivate the whole school. An army of one has suddenly become 2. (I refused to be daunted when one little girl sensing I am on a mission diplomatically tells me the litter looks "all sparkly" and she likes it). Someone has the last laugh though, because on my way out, there floating in the wind is a newly deposited sparkly crisp packet. Arggggg.

Saturday

Pain is unconcerned with either place or position, so no point in taking to the sofa then. The back ends up at a delightful exhibition of automaton.

Sunday

She is a blessing and is feeding all four grandparents in waiting a tasty lunch. I simply cannot believe my luck. The son maybe aloof but she is fizzing and friendly.

Bit of that

Saturdays trip sets me on a trail.

Bit of this

My mother has sent 2 cards and 2 cheques. (Quite by mistake). She adds to one card "may the sun shine on you today". I feel suddenly blessed.

The gift token buys an indulgence of a book, that will probably never be used but the joy of looking at it and encourages the dreaming of possibilities.

One tiny candle graces the pudding and someone has dribbled Happy Birthday in chocolate around the edge of the plate. It was so unexpected I am deeply touched.

Bit of that

The Ipod fires sagging tiredness into determined movement and springy steps.

Tunes of glory

With each repeat of the tune comes a tiny fizz more of energy.

Bit of this

The drama queen and I are faffing about with modern technology. He strolls up, takes the ever stuck hands from his pockets, leans over and hits the power button. Hey presto we have music.

Everyone has the wrong day and I get spoilt rotten. The french fancies are much needed pick me up after a fraught morning. He threw sand, water, and a pile of just tidied dinosaurs everywhere. I have the upper hand though, and tell him the drama queens mum is taking him home, and he better not keep her waiting. Meanwhile while encouraging him to rectify the mess he has been making with his hurling (read trajectory) schemas, the girls have emptied all things that draw over the mattress in the corner and the boys have rounded up dinosaurs and bricks to add to the mayhem. They are all obviously exploring thier transporting style. And then to top the lot I find someone has flooded the loos. (I really should have opted to go outside thinks I).

We get the poor g pig out and lots join us as we discover how fragile and dependent they are on us. And in particular why it is not a good idea to throw sand their way. This has restored my faith in them as they are all kind and caring to a man. And several express shocked disapproval at certain behaviors. (Good job I didn't loose my rag or they would be reflecting that back). Good morning work then what ever a fly on the wall might have made of it.

Bit of that

Schemas are patterns of repeatable behaviour which can often be noticed in young children's play. Some easily identifiable schemas are:

Schema	Description of possible behaviours
Transporting	A child may carry all the bricks from one place to another in a bag, the sand from the tray to the home corner in a bucket, push a friend around in a toy pram.
Enveloping	A child may cover themselves in a flannel when washing, wrap dolls and toys up in blankets and fabric, cover their painting with one colour.
Enclosure/containing	A child may put their thumb in and out of their mouth, fill up and empty containers of all kinds, climb into large cartons, sit in the tunnel, build 'cages' with blocks.
Trajectory;Diagonal/vertical/horizontal	A child may gaze at your face, drop things from their cot, make arcs in their spilt food with their hand, play with the running water in the bathroom, climb up and jump off furniture, line up the cars, bounce and kick balls, throw.
Rotation	A child may be fascinated by the spinning washing machine, love anything with wheels, roll down a hill, enjoy spinning round or being swung around.
Connection	A child may distribute and collect objects to and from a practitioner, spend time joining the train tracks together, stick the masking tape form across form the table to the chair.
Positioning	A child may put things on their head, prefer their custard next to their sponge not over it, lie on the floor or under the table.
Transforming	A child may add juice to their mashed potato, sand to the water tray, enjoy adding colour to cornflour or making dough.