WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.269 It's that time of year, the time of you, when you're going to look 00:00:03.269 --> 00:00:06.090 crazy and probably spend more than you should on Christmas gifts. 00:00:06.149 --> 00:00:12.809 I was thinking back to having children and how gift-giving sets a precedent. 00:00:13.290 --> 00:00:18.479 How ever we start that's what our children and families come 00:00:18.479 --> 00:00:20.580 to expect year after year. 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:25.140 When we set a precedent, I think it's a good idea to think 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:27.119 about how you wish to continue 00:00:27.119 --> 00:00:28.110 once you start. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:33.610 For my family, we always bought one gift, and then a few stocking fillers. 00:00:34.029 --> 00:00:38.019 And that one gift was usually something of quality that would last. 00:00:38.529 --> 00:00:43.429 In fact, some of those gifts like Lego and Schleich, I think that's how you say 00:00:43.429 --> 00:00:49.449 it figurines, are still in huge tubs, waiting for our future grandchildren. 00:00:50.109 --> 00:00:53.739 For me, it's quality over quantity all the way. 00:00:54.069 --> 00:00:58.269 So instead of buying four or five cheaper gifts that you know, are going to end up 00:00:58.269 --> 00:01:02.889 broken and in landfill, and usually kids are bored with them after 10 minutes. 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:09.279 Why not buy a gift that not only lasts, but actually teaches them something. 00:01:10.179 --> 00:01:14.649 When you start them young and you nurture this concept of quality and the value 00:01:14.649 --> 00:01:20.319 of education and learning and family, these become your children's values too. 00:01:21.039 --> 00:01:24.549 In this episode, I have curated for you 00:01:24.609 --> 00:01:28.089 my list of gifts for the lifelong learner. 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:32.289 Both for you as the adult educator and parent, and for 00:01:32.289 --> 00:01:34.149 children that you are raising. 00:01:35.019 --> 00:01:38.619 For me at the top of the list is always a good book. 00:01:39.069 --> 00:01:42.550 Something you can curl up with and highlight the words and 00:01:42.550 --> 00:01:46.689 put sticky notes in to mark the pages that you want to return to. 00:01:47.020 --> 00:01:50.919 Books are definitely the gift that keeps giving. 00:01:51.520 --> 00:01:57.219 They entertain, they inform and they unlock a whole world of imagination. 00:01:58.029 --> 00:02:01.389 If you work with children, you need to keep learning. 00:02:01.419 --> 00:02:05.740 You need to stay one step ahead and be sure that you're well-informed 00:02:05.949 --> 00:02:07.960 about what's going on in education. 00:02:08.440 --> 00:02:11.709 And dive into new strategies that are going to take your 00:02:11.709 --> 00:02:13.300 teaching up to the next level. 00:02:13.899 --> 00:02:16.659 As educators, we are actually academics. 00:02:16.990 --> 00:02:21.099 And therefore reading is our number one superpower that will ensure 00:02:21.130 --> 00:02:23.289 that we stay on top of our game. 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:28.599 And I've taken the liberty to list some of the top publications that I think every 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:30.700 teacher should have on their bookshelf. 00:02:31.089 --> 00:02:35.890 And in fact, they, the books that on my bookshelf, I'll leave a link for you in 00:02:35.890 --> 00:02:39.760 the show notes so that you can browse and purchase to your heart's content. 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:45.729 I've also curated a list of educational toys, books, and games that have 00:02:45.729 --> 00:02:49.539 the sole purpose of providing children with hours of pleasure. 00:02:50.469 --> 00:02:55.209 The items on the list will help develop skills and traits like persistence 00:02:55.209 --> 00:02:59.589 and patience and language and critical thinking and problem solving skills. 00:03:00.070 --> 00:03:02.050 And of course creativity. 00:03:02.660 --> 00:03:07.310 Everything from books for the crafting kid, to the kid that loves bugs. 00:03:07.940 --> 00:03:11.690 I've also got links to favorite children's games that I know 00:03:11.690 --> 00:03:13.400 children have enjoyed over the years. 00:03:13.760 --> 00:03:15.440 There's something for everyone. 00:03:15.950 --> 00:03:20.060 The items I've listed are all things that my own children have enjoyed over the 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:25.100 years, and of course, things that I have used with my students in my classroom. 00:03:25.310 --> 00:03:29.810 So I know the value of them and I know how much children have enjoyed them. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:33.230 Also on my list, are homemade gifts. 00:03:33.530 --> 00:03:36.890 If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you'll know that 00:03:36.890 --> 00:03:40.750 I'm a little bit of a sewer and I kinda know my way around a kitchen too. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:46.280 And in years gone by, I have Shibori dyed fabric and I've made shopping bags. 00:03:46.309 --> 00:03:48.710 I've made pretty bowl covers. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:53.059 And I've also baked cookies, usually a traditional South African 00:03:53.090 --> 00:03:56.540 biscuit called a Soet Koekie and of course, Italian biscotti. 00:03:56.540 --> 00:03:59.600 I mean, you know, we wouldn't have this house where I live, if 00:03:59.630 --> 00:04:01.220 it wasn't for Italian biscotti. 00:04:02.119 --> 00:04:06.200 These I usually present in pretty cellophane bags, stick a, pretty 00:04:06.230 --> 00:04:08.540 ribbon on, and that's it, gifts done. 00:04:09.140 --> 00:04:10.190 I encourage you. 00:04:10.369 --> 00:04:14.179 And if you have a talent, whatever, it might be, use it to 00:04:14.179 --> 00:04:16.039 make homemade gifts for others. 00:04:16.429 --> 00:04:21.260 I appreciate anything homemade because I know the time and the sacrifice it 00:04:21.260 --> 00:04:23.780 takes, to create something by hand. 00:04:24.409 --> 00:04:27.169 It's like the fabric Christmas tree decorations I've always 00:04:27.169 --> 00:04:28.250 made with my students. 00:04:28.700 --> 00:04:33.950 Not only do they learn a valuable skill they also create something that 00:04:33.950 --> 00:04:37.580 will keep for many years and that will bring back memories every time 00:04:37.580 --> 00:04:39.080 they hang it on that Christmas tree. 00:04:39.679 --> 00:04:44.879 And of course, I also link it to the curriculum so that I simultaneously 00:04:44.909 --> 00:04:47.340 meet multiple curriculum outcomes. 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:52.859 If you want to find out more about how you can use textile crafts, when kids 00:04:52.859 --> 00:04:56.939 are making things to meet curriculum outcomes, you should listen to episode 00:04:56.939 --> 00:04:59.849 48, when you finish listening to this one. 00:05:00.479 --> 00:05:01.289 So that's it. 00:05:01.499 --> 00:05:05.249 My top gift, giving ideas for the lifelong learner. 00:05:05.669 --> 00:05:09.960 Go to the show notes, click on the link that will take you to the blog post. 00:05:10.020 --> 00:05:13.619 And I leave a link to my shop too, so you can find it there also. 00:05:14.369 --> 00:05:16.469 Thanks for listening to blooming curious today. 00:05:16.499 --> 00:05:17.819 I so appreciated. 00:05:18.179 --> 00:05:22.979 And if you like this very short and sweet episode, please share it with 00:05:22.979 --> 00:05:27.569 someone, you know, and click the subscribe button so that you're alerted to a new 00:05:27.569 --> 00:05:30.689 episode every week when it is published. 00:05:31.349 --> 00:05:32.639 So I'll see you next week. 00:05:32.669 --> 00:05:37.199 Same time, same place until then stay blooming, curious and happy shopping.