A Blog For Kalyra- What do you Think?
There is a lot I could write about schools, good and bad. Being a teacher grants me the privilege to talk about it, with I hope some expertise.
Schools aren’t that great at helping children follow their passions and cater learning to their needs and interests.
With up to 30 kids in the class and board members, way out of touch with “real” learning, setting curriculum what can you expect?
They’ve got the reading and ‘rithmetic down pat, but the school day is mostly filled with junk like remembering the dates when the First Fleet first sailed and the order of the planets.
I mean it’s interesting, but is it going to help me live a balanced, fulfilled life where I truly live my passions instead of going through the motions?
Rote learning makes you good at that.
Anyway, my point…
I don’t want Kalyra to have a job and to have her whole “schooling” experience to be stiff and regimented.
I want her to have a passion; something that keeps her awake at night. I want her to create her life, her dreams and her income, not “work” for it.
I believe when you notice your child taking a keen interest in something and learning from it then you have to help them run with it.
Don’t squash, or ignore it, but do what you can to nurture and help it grow.
They are never too young to start.
Kalyra has suddenly discovered a keen interest in photography.
A creative at work
She begs to use our camera phones and if we can help her, our canon DSLR.
And it’s not just a playful snap here and there; she is actually blowing me away with her innate ability to understand some basic photographic concepts.
Composition
“We need to move over here Mummy; I think it will look better.”
“I’m trying to get just Dora’s face in it.”
“Daddy, move close to Mummy. Now smile.”
Light
“It’s too dark, I can’t see you properly. Hang on”
She returns and shines a torch in my face
“That’s better.”
I can’t just let her enthusiasm for this disappear.
Craig and I are getting her a camera for Christmas and I’ve decided to start her a blog, as a way to document and keep her experiments and results.
She is also a keen artist. She sits and colours and draws for hours. She colours in the lines and her drawings are pretty advanced for her age. I’m going to scan them onto the blog for her.
The pictures are already piling up. “Mummy, I want this one to go on the computer,” she says.
I told her about the blog and she is excited.
It’s not going to be a blog I market or put much time into, but I think it will be great for her, especially in a few years’ time if she decides she wants to run with it and fill it with more and maybe even make some money off it.
I had been thinking for some time how we could help her keep a record of her travels and with our big plans for next year, I think this could work well for her.
My only problem is being stuck on the name and I’d like your advice.
I’m thinking
kalyrasworld.com
awildandpleasantplace.com
wildandpleasant.com
Of course, Kalyra’s name means ‘a wild and pleasant place,’ so I am trying to keep that meaning for her.
What do you think?
Comments
Beth Hardy
Caroline,
I think Kalyra is going to LOVE the blog. I vote for awildandpleasantplace.com. I can’t wait to check it out!
Caz
Thanks Beth! She is most excited!!
Martine
I think it’s a great idea and will be be a wonderful way for her to document all your travels. I think all the names are great and will work, but I think I like wildandpleasant.com 🙂
Caz
Thanks Martine! I have to get started on it as she keeps talking to me about her blogging! I swear she picks this stuff up by osmosis as I’ve barely even mentioned that word to her
Vanessa Monaghan
I like awildandpleasantplace.com
Riley loved his travel blog and I’m sure Kalyra will too 🙂
Caz
Riley will have so many great memories to look back on now and you have taught him the value of recording his life’s experiences
Aisleen
I like a wildandpleasantplace.com too. She’s gorgeous btw, ur a lucky mummy!
Caz
Thank you! She’s a little treasure though can sometimes have a fierce temper. Takes after her name ….. and maybe a bit after her mummy
Earl Squirrelson
Not aure about the name, maybe “pleasantly wild” or “wildly pleasant” as a motto or something.
On the education issue, have you thought of Montessori for her?
Caz
Thanks Earl. i have thought a little about Montessori. I actually think for Kalyra this would be a really great place for her. She would thrive in that environment. Thanks for reminding me to look more into it.
Earl Squirrelson
No probs, my brothers kids have all gone there, the eldest is going to a “normal” high school to do year 11 and 12 but they have all gotten a lot from Montessori. Let me know if you wanna chat to my SIL about it, I’d be happy to pass your details on.
Megan @ Writing Out Loud
Love this post Caz! It’s amazing how much they learn through life’s adventures. PS – I vote for awildandpleasantplace 🙂
Caz
Thank you Megan! Learning by living is the best way for anyone
Lina@MothersLoveLetters
Oh, WOW!!!
Kalyra is sooooo smart! And a pure soul.
Amazing. Musta got it from her mummy??!? xx
I love Kalyra’s World. It’s the shortest, simplest and has her name which I think is best for branding. But then call the blog, something like, “Kalyra’s World. A Wild & Pleasant Place.”
By the way, I have concerns about mainstream schooling too, which is why I’m looking at very non-traditional schooling.
Costs a bomb (well worth it), so I need to get cracking on bringing the money in.
Caz
Perfect! I think that is what we are going to go with. It;s a shame that the great choices for schooling will wipe out your bank balance. The most important schooling is from the home and I think you have that down pat!
Aisleen
I haven’t got any children yet but still worry about what to do r.e, schooling. I’d love to home school as i think so much damage can be done at high school but i guess that’s something for the future! Just hope my child starts off like kalrya! 🙂
Caz
And your child will! It all starts with the parents. Schooling is something all parents worry about. there are so many great schools out there, but as a general institution it has far too many holes. You have awhile though until you have to make a choice and hopefully by then things will have improved somewhat
Brock - Backpack With Brock
Hey Caz! First time commenting on this blog of yours. Something I was curious about from the title, through the post and even the comments…
What would Kalyra like to call it? Has she had any ideas or suggestions as would be a collection of her art and creativity?
Would be interested in knowing.
Cheers!
Caz
Thanks Brock! I loved how you directed it towards what Kalyra would like. We have been asking her but she is finding it difficult to come up with a name. She usually doesn’t answer which tends to mean she doesn’t know how. She is calling herself Kalyra blogger. I thought of Kalyra’s world because she has been heard a few times saying, “In my world….. ” She is a funny thing.
i’m going to throw a few more of these ideas at her and see if she can choose one
Donna
I agree with Lina, I love Kalyra’s World and then calling the blog, something like, “Kalyra’s World. A Wild & Pleasant Place.”
Reading about her passion for photography makes me smile. She will appreciate the blog as she grows, as I am certain she will be thankful to you for supporting and encouraging her interests.
Caz
She is so excited about the blog. She calls herself Kalyra blogger!! I think I am leaning towards this name the most
Ben
I think “Through a child eyes” would be a good name, or something that would not restrict it to just Kalyra to add content if her friends want to join in the fun?
Caz
Thanks Ben! I really like through a child’s eyes, the only thing I think about is what happens if she still wants to keep the blog when she is an adult?
Michelle
This is such a great idea!! I wish my parents had listened to me when I showed interest in photography at 16 (I finally saved up and bought a nice camera at 25 and am LOVING it!).
I really love awildandpleasantplace.com, though kalyrasworld.com is short and sweet. Hmmmm, my vote is for awhileandpleasantplace.com!! 🙂
I can’t wait to see Kalyra’s projects.
Caz
Thanks Michelle! I have chosen kalyrasworld.com and will have a wild a pleasant place as her tagline. Almost have it ready to go now. She’s excited