
Black Love family! Many of us are practicing social distancing, which includes being trapped at home with our kids (who we love), while schools are closed. But this also brings on stress on how to keep our kids stimulated and growing intellectually. Your Black Love creator/founders are married filmmakers and parents of three boys under four years old! We read to our kids daily and try to fill their little minds with knowledge and good old-fashioned values, but we are not teachers.
At a loss for exactly how to proceed with our babies during this time of cabin fever and unlimited snacks, we tapped an expert. Our friend Charisse Sims, the director and owner of Hidden Gems Preschool in Inglewood, is a mama of six ranging from 1-year-old twins to a 10-year-old! She has college degrees in Child Development, Behavioral Science, and Early Childhood Education, just to name a few. She also has 17 years of teaching Pre-K to first grade, in addition to parenting and educating her own kiddos.
Below, Miss Charisse, as we call her in our house, shares resources, tips, and love for folks struggling to parent and teach (and work) like us.
-Codie Elaine Oliver, Editor-In-Chief
I’m looking forward to all of the learning and growth that will come from all of this. Every challenge you experience is an opportunity for learning, which really puts us in the same boat as all of our gems at home and those continuing their education remotely. To stay encouraged here are a few tips I wanted to share:
First off, you can’t do this without practicing self-love and self-compassion! Be easy on yourself, you are NOT a teacher, and you don’t have to try to be one today, tomorrow or the next day. Please trust that you and your child are uniquely made for one another, and you can figure this out in a way that is harmonious to your household. Remember, it won’t flow if you try to be something you’re not. Keep in mind that teachers went to school for years to learn how to teach, then acquired internships and practicum hours. Throughout their learning process, they were able to make mistakes and experience hands-on learning from mentors.
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