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Behind the Scenes ~ Following the Lead of the Child

I thought it might be helpful to give you a peek inside of my heart and mind as Ladybug grows and I make decisions for her educationally.  The path we are on together is much different than the path I was on with Krash at this age and I am thankful that I now have experience with 3 different toddlers of my own to compare to better share experience with my readers. image

For those of you who don’t “know me” well, I graduated college with an Early Childhood degree with a certification in Birth-Kindergarten.  While in college I completed internships with a concentration on young children and also Montessori.  After college I taught public school Kindergarten for 4.5 years.

I have been writing an eBook for years, just have never felt God nudge me to pour the hours needed into finishing it.  I have published a portion of it, on my website, which outlines what I believe about educating young children. If you have read that, you will see that I don’t mention worksheets for tots in ANY way!!!  Then why in the world do I have a Tot Time Notebook, a Tot School Printables program with many “worksheet” type of activities, and now a new Animal ABC program with a set of worksheet extras?

The answer is very simple…I am following the child’s lead.

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Ladybug shows interest in these types of things and even though I do my best to direct her towards toys, hands on experiences, and what I feel are more “normal” and developmentally appropriate tot activities-she gravitates towards a writing instrument and something to write on.  It is something I resisted at first but finally followed along and I have had a MUCH happier tot since then.

Most of my Tot Packs and Preschool Packs contain items that are more hands on.  An example would be the Heads and Tails matching game included in the Brown Bear Pack.  Ladybug would NOT enjoy this.  If it looks like cards or something more hands on-she resists.  However, if I put the same idea into more of a worksheet form-she embraces it and has fun!

She boggles my mind and has given me the ultimate lesson in following the child’s lead.  I used to think that meant holding off on stuff like this until later and not PUSHING the young child.  Now I also see that it can go both ways.  It also means not holding a child back.

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Do I think Ladybug is some sort of genius child? NO!  She is very advanced in a few areas, and has been since early on.  She was “professionally assessed” when she was around 20 months {back when she was struggling with her walking and they were evaluating her for services}.  You can see her specific results here, noting that she scored highest and beyond her age in both cognition and fine motor-both areas she has continued to excel in.  She is in the normal range for language and is still below for gross motor.  I am certainly not pushing her, quite the opposite actually.  I don’t want my baby girl to learn too quickly-I love this early childhood stuff!  I want this stage to last as long as possible, she is moving a bit too fast for my personal taste to be honest!

Ladybug spends more time at a table than I ever thought possible for a tot.  She BEGS and even cries to do school if she hasn’t for a few hours.  To her-doing school means sitting at my desk with me and working with me, or by herself.  IMG_9622She created the term “doing school” now it has become a common phrase and request from her.  She hates days off and I will often allow her to “do school” on off days just to make her happy!

When Krash was a tot, I wrote a post entitled, The Advanced Tot, which addressed tots who were more like Ladybug and advancing beyond what their moms expected!  Now I have one of those and it is weird!!!   There are some really great comments from moms on that post too, so if you are intrigued by this topic, be sure to scroll down and browse!

Does Ladybug still play like a normal tot?  YES!  We are on the floor engaged much more than she is ever sitting and working at a table.  She LOVES to read and be read to, way more than the boys ever did-so we spend tons of time cuddled up with our noses in a book together.  IMG_3144

She really enjoys puzzles, play dough, blocks, sensory bins, stickers, painting, drawing, and more intricate fine motor activities.  A few hands on things she really enjoys…

IMG_8134  IMG_8090IMG_6382  IMG_8148IMG_4831  IMG_7080IMG_9744  IMG_7603IMG_4006  IMG_6557

This is also the little girl with 2 older brothers who she follows.  She sees them writing, so she wants to.  She sees them sitting, so she wants to.  She follows their lead and in turn I follow hers, while also trying to encourage her to stay young and enjoy the lovely things of tot-hood!IMG_6600

Part of the reason I wanted to take the time to write this post is because I used to be the mom with the wild and crazy tot who wouldn’t sit still to color, read, or anything at this age {that would be my sweet Krash}. Krash is now moving along at a very steady pace-not above or behind for his age.  I am very pleased with his progress and academic abilities! I also had a tot who wasn’t quite as wild and crazy {PacMan} but who still could have cared less about anything resembling school until well after age 3.  A tot who didn’t learn to identify letters until closer to 4, and didn’t draw a recognizable picture until almost 4 too!  PacMan wasn’t really into books, didn’t enjoy anything with a paper and pencil and much preferred the hands on world of toddlerhood.  He is now excelling in 4th grade!

When I was parenting the boys as tots, mostly Krash, I would read blogs of moms who had tots more like Ladybug and get a pinch of jealousy.  I never want anyone to read my posts about what Ladybug is doing and think that this is what I believe is correct, normal, or preferred for children her age.  When I wrote about Krash at this stage he fit right in the crowd, but now, I imagine I have a few readers who wonder if something is wrong with their own toddler who won’t go near a pencil and paper!  I assure you there is nothing wrong with your child-not simply because they aren’t interested in anything resembling what you would consider school!  Most tots prefer to be active, loud, and totally hands on.  Most tots learn best that way.  There are a few out there like Ladybug-some even way beyond her.  Those few prefer a different learning path and we just follow them.  It is a delicate balance to follow along while not pushing or holding back.  I pray that’s what I am doing for all 3 of my children and now especially Ladybug at this young age.

I know in this land online it is even more difficult than before to NOT COMPARE OUR CHILDREN, but really-don’t do it!  There is healthy comparison-just to make sure everything is OK, and then there is the type of comparison that makes you feel badly.  That’s the type I encourage you to stay far, far away from!  Let your own tot guide your path for Tot School in your home.  Gather ideas from others but don’t force them upon your tot.  There will be plenty of time in the future when your child will need to do undesirable school assignments!  It just isn’t that time yet at this tender age.

As homeschoolers, we are more able to follow the child’s lead.  In a classroom setting you follow the lead of the class as a whole and focus on what is developmentally appropriate for the age range you are working with.  At home, it is much different and this has been a difficult adjustment for me as a former early childhood educator.  I am so used to the “norm” and with Krash he followed that norm.  Ladybug is not the norm so following her lead is more of a challenge.  As you plan for your own tot, please remember to follow the lead of your own child.  Most important-have fun!

See more Behind the Scenes Posts here!


I have a post in the works going deep into Developmentally Appropriate Practice and what this looks like for us as homeschoolers!  Stay tuned if this sort of thing interests you!

If you are a certified/trained early childhood teacher with classroom experience AND homeschooling mom who is teaching or has taught your own young child{ren}, would you please email me?  I would love to get your thoughts on my upcoming post about DAP and homeschooling, and also ask you some questions!

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Carisa Hinson
Prep for next year has begun! I am considering try Prep for next year has begun! I am considering trying many new things for my daughter (will be in 8th grade) and before I choose I am trying myself. 

First up is giving @compassclassroom American History a try. I am planning to complete the first few weeks myself to see if I think it’s a good fit for her. Have any of you used this? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Link in profile to the curriculum. 

##homeschool #homeschoolers #homeschoolingrocks #homeschoolingmama #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife  #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolfun #homeschoolkids #homeschooliscool  #homeschooldays #homeschoolblogger 
#homeschoolteacher #homeschoollookslikethis #homeeducation #homeeducator #howwehomeschool #homeed #homeschoollifestyle #thisishomeschool
#homeschoolcommunity #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolersofinstagram #homeschooled #homeschoolcollective #homeschoolideas #homeschoolinspiration #homeschooladventures
It’s time. I finally started another Instagram a It’s time. I finally started another Instagram account just for my foster kittens. I have SO many photos and videos I want to share every single day and I know there are many of you who would love that! So, @crazy_foster_kitten_lady is your new place for loads of foster kitten content. I’ll still introduce new kittens here and share some, but it will be over the top kitten content on the new account!

Join me, Rachel (left), Joey (right) and the rest of the Friends!

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #7friendsfosterkittens2022
Welcome to the rest of the Friends! The shelter is Welcome to the rest of the Friends! The shelter is packed with kittens so I went and picked up four more! 

Ross - black
Chandler - orange 
Joey - fluffy gray 
Janice - fluffy tuxedo

Yes, that’s a total of 7 foster kittens. Yes, I know I’m crazy. I love the kittens and I love helping out as much as possible when kitten season is in full swing. ❤️

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove @animalscmpd
Introducing our new FRIENDS ~ Phoebe (top, dilute Introducing our new FRIENDS ~ Phoebe (top, dilute calico), Rachel (middle, gray and white), and Monica (bottom, gray).💕💕💕

They are totally healthy and weigh a little over a pound right now! They were scared at first but are now all purring! 

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #7friendsfosterkittens2022
The gymnastics season comes to an end and he’s t The gymnastics season comes to an end and he’s taking home the 🥈 silver medal on pommel horse again! 

It’s been a fun week of competition and time with friends. Thankful for this time together in Arizona and excited for the new season already! 

#krashthegymnast
He is 16!!!!! 🎉🥳🎉 We are busy with so m He is 16!!!!! 🎉🥳🎉 

We are busy with so much right now, most importantly final prep to leave for nationals in Arizona tomorrow! This past weekend he was presented with an award from his coach(with him in this pic) - Athlete of the Year, which is really special. He heads to nationals tomorrow in good shape, feeling confident! 

@kyler_hinson I am so proud of you for so many reasons! Seeing you fight so hard through continual pain the past few years has shown such a strength of character, determination, dedication, and perseverance. I love the man you are becoming and am so thankful to be your mom. 

We have a fun week ahead of us and I’m so excited to be by your side. ❤️
He’s 20 today. Lives on his own, with an AMAZING He’s 20 today. Lives on his own, with an AMAZING job, managing adult-ing beautifully, constantly making me smile when I think of his perseverance, determination, commitment, and ambition. I can’t put into words how proud I am of this man of mine. My son, my baby.

Happy birthday @paxtoroni ❤️ I pray you know how loved you are.
In case you missed their intro in my stories, I’ In case you missed their intro in my stories, I’d like you to meet the new fluffy trio! Named by my daughter and her friend after characters in the show Gravity Falls. 

Mabel (calico, girl)
Dipper (white/gray, boy)
Soos (tabby, boy)

They are so adorable and came at the perfect time to bring healing after we lost Bruno. ❤️

My guess is about 5-6 weeks old, and they will probably be in foster for about a month, the smallest weighing 1 pound, 3 ounces. 

The look like little dust bunnies flopping around the room, they are so round and fluffy! 

#gravityfallsfosterkittens #fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove @animalscmpd
Our youngest child is 13. I’m not sure how that Our youngest child is 13. I’m not sure how that happened. We celebrated Lili today with our best friends from Philadelphia here to visit for the weekend! She opened her presents from us, and loved on our new fluffy foster kittens. Her wish was to foster a fluffy set of kittens and that wish came true yesterday!

So thankful for this awesome kid of mine. She is such a blessing to me and inspires me continually. She is strong, compassionate, brave, unique, artistically talented beyond belief, and I just love being her mom.
8 weeks old today!!! We are in the final countdown 8 weeks old today!!! We are in the final countdown of our time together! 

Bruno and Camilo are both snuggle bugs and love to curl up on laps, or up by my chin. They both love to play hard and they still love momma’s milkies (especially Bruno). Camilo is a round plump potato weighing 1 lb, 13 ounces. Bruno is a bit skinnier (1 lb, 9.5 ounces) because he’s been having some tummy issues but he’s doing better. They won’t leave me until both are 2 lbs and 100% healthy. I’m assuming a little over a week from now. 

#encantofosterkittens #fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove
These sweet boys are 7 weeks old today. They are S These sweet boys are 7 weeks old today. They are SO sweet and often run to cuddle like this when I come to visit them. I am soaking up our last weeks together (probably 2 more), I love them so much!
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#encantofosterkittens #fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove
My husband and I went away for the weekend to a cu My husband and I went away for the weekend to a cute little cabin we found on Airbnb and it had SUPER friendly ducks. 🦆 

These ducks brought me so much joy. As I looked back through our photos, the final photo is reflective of me in one of my happy places. I see pure joy on my face and I love the photo. Not because I want my own ducks, but because I truly love animals and being around them makes me smile. This is reflective in my fostering adventure also, it is truly one of my favorite aspects of my life right now.

So thankful for this short time away to do nothing. Well, nothing except hang out with my best friend and some awesome ducks. ❤️
The season has flown by! He is the NC State Champi The season has flown by! He is the NC State Champion on pommel horse! We head to regionals in a few weeks!

He also had a season high on rings (historically a tough event for him) and placed 3rd! That was fun to watch! 

Thankful for grandparents who were able to be there and teammates that have been there since they were babies many years ago. 🥰

#krashthegymnast
I can’t even find proper words to share how much I can’t even find proper words to share how much their 3 week birthday means to me. I am finally relaxed and just enjoying these precious boys, rather than constantly worrying. The changes in the past few days are adorable - walking all around, playing, purring, rolling over for belly rubs, climbing on my lap when I’m near!  I just LOVE them! 

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #encantofosterkittens
Another meet complete! I wasn’t at this one, my Another meet complete! I wasn’t at this one, my wonderful friend (teammate’s mom) took him to Orlando for me since I couldn’t leave the kittens (who are absolutely perfect, praise God!).

He had a solid meet, had fun with his team (who won 1st), and brought home some new medals. 

A few weeks off and then it’s time for the state championship meet! #krashthegymnast
This is Camilo. He sticks his tongue out a LOT. It This is Camilo. He sticks his tongue out a LOT. It is VERY cute. 

Bruno and Camilo are 2.5 weeks old and thriving. We are so thankful for them. I’m still not 100% relaxed from my worry, but a lot better. They are gaining weight, playing, and nursing well. Thankfully they seem very different from their sisters. We are sad the girls aren’t here growing alongside of them but we have healed a lot in the past few days. These two boys and their amazing momma are a huge part of the healing.

#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #encantofosterkittens
Oh Fern. So elegant, so fluffy, so fabulous. Swipe Oh Fern. So elegant, so fluffy, so fabulous. Swipe to see her *other* look. 😆 I love this girl so much and her sweet snuggles have been very healing to me this past week. #fabulousfluffyfern
So sad I missed his meet but so proud of him and h So sad I missed his meet but so proud of him and his team! He competed yesterday as a part of the state elite team and they won 1st place team! His home gym team is in the top photo and they all had a great meet which is wonderful! He brought home 2nd All Around, and 1st on floor and pommel. He’s still improving his routines this season, heads to Florida to compete again next weekend!
#krashthegymnast
My sweet tiny Dolores is gone. She was the one I w My sweet tiny Dolores is gone. She was the one I was most worried about from the very beginning because she was the runt and gained so slowly. She fought hard and was with us for 13 days.
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I held her in my hands as she slipped away last night around 1 am. Crying tears over her and keeping her warm and held as she left us. I thought I had accepted that we would lose her too. The entire day I just knew. When she was finally gone I just screamed. My husband and son were away at a gymnastics meet, and my daughter spent the night at my moms to get away from the constant worry here. I’m so glad Lili left. I’m glad everyone was gone so I could just scream in the middle of the night. I just never thought this would be what I’m posting about. Let alone three posts in a row. 
.
Whatever took Isabela, Luisa, and Dolores was probably all the same. There’s nothing I could have done. Dolores got every single life saving support throughout her last day and when I went in to tube feed her at 1am, I just knew. Instead of feeding her, I wrapped her in the warm blanket and just held her as she passed. It wasn’t time for trying all of the things to save her, it was time to let her rest. 💕 
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This photo was taken earlier yesterday when she was still with us. 
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#fosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons #fosterkittensofinstagram #fosterkittenlove #kittenfostering #kittenfostermom #kittenfoster #fosterkittenlove #encantofosterkittens
This girl. I love her. We shared one of the sweete This girl. I love her. We shared one of the sweetest and saddest moments of my fostering journey when her baby Luisa died. I can finally share the story without sobbing as I think about it.
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I had taken Luisa and Dolores to the vet for fluids, and for the vet to show me how to give fluids at home. Everything seemed fine at the vet, we commented on how much better Luisa seemed. She wasn’t out of the woods by any means, but her nose was slightly clearer and her weight was good. Honestly in that moment I was more worried about Dolores, who is the runt, and wasn’t nursing well. 
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It was heavy traffic time so my drive home was 45 minutes. I checked on them while driving several times, placing my hands in the carrier to feel them. During the last 15 minutes of my drive, the traffic was heavier and I was in the interstate so I focused on driving. I was at peace the all was well. I didn’t put my hand in the carrier.
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I came inside and my daughter and mom were in the kitten room awaiting the news, which I said was good. Gosh how I wish I would have checked them in the carrier before this. Hindsight. 😞 I pulled them out and that’s the moment we saw Luisa was gone. I so wish my daughter didn’t have to see that moment, it was awful for her. I was just so angry. I knew Luisa’s passing was possible, even likely, but in the moment I was just so mad because she seemed to be doing better.
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Lili left the room and Mirabel was pacing around and very agitated. I was holding Luisa in my hands and I bent down so Mirabel could see her. Mirabel immediately began licking her baby and I just sobbed as I held Luisa and watched momma say goodbye. It was a moment I will never forget, one I wish never had to happen.
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After this, Mirabel was calm and attended to her other babies. She just needed to say goodbye.
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I am hopeful for the final 3, while also knowing anything can happen. ❤️ I have all of the resources now, I know how to tube feed, I know how to give fluids, and have direct contact with the shelter vet who is amazing and answers my texts within minutes. We are fighting for them together.
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#encantofosterkittens #fosterkittens4thehinsons
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