tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post8350911127937826292..comments2023-03-24T07:32:58.935+00:00Comments on Rider By My Side: Madrid: Ricky at the Numont SchoolBryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17982146556048478064noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-41517851822060999602010-12-30T22:14:06.615+00:002010-12-30T22:14:06.615+00:00I love the Montessori and the Waldorf systems. I&...I love the Montessori and the Waldorf systems. I'm not fond of the idea that small children need to be tied to a desk so that they can meet what in Britain they refer to as "National Expectations." Ricky was at a British school, so we don't know how the Spanish public school system is. However, I would guess that it is even more rigid.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17982146556048478064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-232620600227204302010-12-29T13:43:47.054+00:002010-12-29T13:43:47.054+00:00Xander is in a less that typically structured Mont...Xander is in a less that typically structured Montessorri and loves it. Although the kindergarten in Hackensack in free next year, we may keep him at the Montessorri because it is all about his interests,at his time.... The public curriculum (which ironically is my job) is too stringent in primary grade thanks to high stakes testing and too many kids coming in with limited background skills... ah well.... So surprised it sounds simliar in Spain. Very sad to ignore students developmental differences and needs and force conforming and structure too soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-2275023293181049482010-12-26T08:58:41.212+00:002010-12-26T08:58:41.212+00:00It's funny how they get bigger - sometimes the...It's funny how they get bigger - sometimes they are tiny adults (Ricky has grave concerns over mortality) and other times they are still your little babies (a cat hissed at him yesterday and smacked him with a paw, and he burst into tears). I think he's going to have a great trip, though. Happy holidays to all four of you!Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17982146556048478064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-76413196368876414402010-12-26T03:03:44.460+00:002010-12-26T03:03:44.460+00:00He looks so grown up. It sounds like it is a good ...He looks so grown up. It sounds like it is a good time to travel the world. Hugs and merry holidays to you three!Tracy B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-77468301013979752472010-12-25T22:20:13.730+00:002010-12-25T22:20:13.730+00:00There are always going to be some people who are m...There are always going to be some people who are more intent on showing who is boss than in having kids learn. But there's a lesson in that, too.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17982146556048478064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-65540435184107770002010-12-25T22:02:54.274+00:002010-12-25T22:02:54.274+00:00Shane was and still is the same as Ricky. He will ...Shane was and still is the same as Ricky. He will not be bullied into anything and God help the person who tries to demand he do anything. However, if you talk to him politely, logically and reasonably, he will bend over backward to do what you ask of him. You would think teachers would understand that not all children respond to one method. Fortunately Shane had many wise teachers. I hope Ricky does too.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12753456278195418985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-9697562767147044662010-12-25T17:30:14.574+00:002010-12-25T17:30:14.574+00:00Thank YOU, Caralee! We love to have you enjoy what...Thank YOU, Caralee! We love to have you enjoy what we write!Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01502735106366721008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-26093316498101018642010-12-25T15:21:28.217+00:002010-12-25T15:21:28.217+00:00Positive reinforcement is so much better than nega...Positive reinforcement is so much better than negative. Thank you for the story..caraleenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-87225818927708985612010-12-25T10:10:38.502+00:002010-12-25T10:10:38.502+00:00Me encanta esta foto, con la corbata fuera! Transl...Me encanta esta foto, con la corbata fuera! Translation: I love this picture, with his tie out! :)Anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01502735106366721008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438183654675348577.post-34060866308327583092010-12-25T09:58:39.516+00:002010-12-25T09:58:39.516+00:00qué lindo es mi sobrino!!!!!!!!!qué lindo es mi sobrino!!!!!!!!!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13218649056973512316noreply@blogger.com