Mozart for the Newborn and the Parents

Music for the newborn spreads tranquility but much more. Classic music because of its complexity is particularly effective to play around newborns and also young children, as listening stimulates neurons in the brain to make synaptic connections. So while baby’s body relaxes, her brain is active. And not to be underestimated in value, Mom and Dad’s nerves are soothed from the wails of discomfort that emanate from a damsel in distress. Put Mozart to the rescue and try singing to her yourself for another trifecta of accomplishment under stress.

http://www.iapbooks.net

Scribbling toward learning and self expression

Young children’s early scribbles may not be masterpieces but they are key endeavors in the process of learning. Young children are motivated by their own marks on paper. What does this mean with regard to learning in general?  Start with the conceptual freedom to explore the material; go on to the development of hand/eye coordination. Add to this the expansion of ideas and seeing instantly the results; and give credence to the value of having on hand a physical limitation of space (the paper size) and the restriction of being able to work within it. The young child has complete control over this space, unlike anything else he or she is able to control, and is not only satisfied but delighted to work within its confines. We all know that accepting the concept of limitations within freedom is a necessary. The crucial thing to remember in light of the importance of scribbling toward learning is that young children are motivated by their own marks on paper. Thus, skipping scribbling and going directly on to, let’s say, copying (which I cringe at the very thought of) is like skipping breakfast, acknowledged as the most important meal of the day. So from the age of two to four, there is a lot going on in the brain and hand with pencil or crayon on a piece of paper. You must never, repeat never, draw on the child’s paper either to “instruct” or share, or invade the invaluable learning process underway.

Wit & Whimsy Sculpture at Stamford, last 4 weeks

Only three weeks left to catch Wit and Whimsy, the Stamford Downtown Summer Sculpture exhibition and enjoy the outdoor restaurants, parks and cultural events. Call 203-348-5285 or see WWW.stamford-downtown.com for a map and schedule of events, dining guide and more. Judith Peck has 6 of her large outdoor sculptures on display.

Sibling Rivalry

When a new child arrives a sibling’s hug can appear a stranglehold, but a hit that hides a hug can appear as well; this is the subject of Peck’s article archived on line in ParentGuildNews: http://www.parentguidenews.com/Catalog/ChildDevelopment/AHitThatHidesaHug/

Creating serenity, perception and self-confidence in your baby

Serenity in a baby occurs when she is contented in bodily functions and has no need to focus on her nagging innards. She is then free to perceive the outside world, explore it and begin to make those important neural connections. But along with responding to physical needs to create a serene environment, a parent must aim to build self-confidence for this is the basic mechanism with which all achievements are constructed. Accomplishing such independent feats as feeding herself, drinking from a cup, gripping a crayon and moving it across a piece of paper (occurring at whatever stage these do) leads her to feel competent towards attempting the next thing on the agenda. She will look forward to that next thing, approaching it from a position of strength with an expectation that she will manage it. With parental calm and encouragement she will sense that she is going in the right direction even when she doesn’t manage quite so well. From an environment that welcomes her participation, perceptions will form, sharpen, expand and mature. Serenity, perception, self-confidence, From this starting point will evolve the intelligent, creative child.

Some images of the Judith Peck sculptures on exhibit in the Downtown Stamford outdoor sculpture exhibit

Readers have asked to see pictures of some of my sculptures in the Downtown Stamford sculpture exhibition.

This is "Young Marrieds" which depicts a couple in nightclothes set to slide precariously down a double slide. The sculpture may be too alluring to young children who might be tempted to climb up and help the young couple before their plummet.

This is "Appalachia," a life size composition of a family by their dwelling. The family seems reconciled and hopeful admidst their extreme poverty; I have made the dog, by his tension, metaphorically display the urgency and desperation of their situation.

Six Judith Peck large outdoor sculptures on display in Stamford now through August

"Out of the mainstream and into the streets" was the phrase used by a previous New York Times article to introduce the Downtown Stamford Art in Public Places Sculpture Exhibit. This year's title, with the exhibit now in its 18th year, is titled "Wit and Whimsy." The 7 Judith Peck sculptures chosen by curator Eileen Heckerling for this show (39 in all) certainly seem to come under that unbrella. One Peck sculpture, "Young Marrieds," depicting two life size figures in nightclothes about to slide together down a double slide might have proven too appealingly whimsical to young children lured to join the preacriously couple in their free fall, so it was removed.
Try to get to Stamford, Connecticut and drive around the downtown streets to see the Peck sculptures and others by 12 sculptors on display now through August.

Here is Seated Woman Red on display.