A CHILD

LOIS WELCOMES YOU TO A CHILD!

On this site you will find information about A CHILD school.   The school has closed but there is a lot of helpful information so we decided to keep this site alive.

Also, you will find personal informantion about Lois and her family toward the end of the blog. 
I have recently posted an updated picture of my wedding -  09/01/2012. 
Please view the videos at the very end of this site. ENJOY!
God Bless. - Lois

Learn2SwimSafe Program

FOR INFORMATION ON
SWIM LESSONS
and on The Learn2SwimSafe program,
click on this link
learn2swimsafe: Learn2SwimSafe

TUTORING

TUTORING Pre- K through Middle school in all subject Areas.

Specializing in Reading and English.

TUTORING Pre- K through 6th grade in Math.

In most cases, the fee is $20.00 per hour.

In most cases, Tutoring sessions are held at the Public Library.
In home Tutoring sessions also available.

To Contact Lois:
Phone # (941) 380-5027
Email: aCHILDchildrenservicenetwork@gmail.com

BABY MASSAGE

For more information on Infant Stimulation and Baby Massage, click on this link: http://myinfantbabymassage.blogspot.com/

STUDENTS of A CHILD

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

WHAT IS MONTESSORI?

See: http://achildwhatismontessori.blogspot.com/
_________________________________________________________________ For more detailed information into the Montessori program, see: http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/montessori/method/method.html NOTE: There are several levels of teacher's certifications in the Montessori field: Birth-age 3, 3-6 years, 6-12 years, and upper level. Lois has completed the Teacher's training and certification program for areas of birth-3, 3-6 and 6-12, with specified certification in birth-age 3, while simultaneously studying infant stimulation and brain research, specifically children with brain injury and developmental delays. For more information on Montessori for Birth-age 3, see: http://www.michaelolaf.net/1JChome.html

THE MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT

The Montessori Environment: See: http://achildthemontessorienvironment.blogspot.com/

The 6 "SENSITIVE" Periods of a Young Child

The 6 "Sensitive" periods of a young child are Dr. Maria Montessori's building schedule which outlines what and when faculties are developed. See: http://thesixsensitiveperiodsofayoung.blogspot.com/

The 3 STAGES OF LEARNING

Learning occurs in three basic stages. Montessori's theory describes these stages as ABSORBING, CONNECTING, and CONSCIOUS APPLICATION.

See http://thethreestagesoflearning.blogspot.com/

SCHOOL CURRICULUM and DEVELOPMENT OUTLINE

Our classroom activities are not play, but work and each work material serves an important purpose in the development of the child. The skills and concepts have been carefully selected, and the lesson plans have been carefully constructed and written to help the child to develop in all areas necessary to move forward successfully academically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

CONCEPT and SKILL DEVELOPMENT OUTLINE

See: http://schoolcurriculumanddevelopment.blogspot.com/

LOIS' BIO

Lois was born in July of 1959, in South Carolina, a P.K. (preacher's kid) to Rev. & rs. John Bray.

Lois has one older sister, Ruth (shown bottom left in the picture to the right), and one younger brother, Paul (the tall one in the middle).

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Lois obtained her educational background in Early Childhood Education from Florida State College, Jacksonville, Florida, The University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida, The Montessori International Association, Tampa, Florida, and Columbia, South Carolina, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands, The Montessori Institute of America, Tampa, Florida http://www.miaworld.org/,
The Institute For The Achievement of Greater Human Potential, Tampa, Flordia http://www.iahp.org/Health.39.0.html Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and The National Academy Of Child Development, http://www.nacd.org/ Tampa, Florida and Redlands, CA., with studies on infant development and brain research, specifically brain development and brain disorders. In 1983, Lois obtained her Montessori Teacher's certification from the Montessori International Association.

Lois' employment background: Au pair to 2 small children while working and going to college, Lakeland, Florida, 1977-1979, 3 year old Preschool teacher and after-school coach, Gibsonia Baptist Church, Lakeland, Florida, 1977-1979, 2nd grade special reading teacher, Lake Padgett Elementary School, Lakeland, Florida, 1979-1980, 1st grade special reading teacher, Pinecrest Elementary School, Lithia, Florida, 1980 - 1981, Montessori internship, Montessori teacher, MIA, 1981-1983, Water Safety and Swim Instructor,1982-current, Aerobics and Aquacize instructor, 1982-current. Lois began and directed a Child-care center, Cross Roads Baptist Church, Lithia, Florida, 1982-1984, Modeled for a private portrait photographer, (hand model and P.R. photo shots), Brandon, FL, 1983-1984, Kindergarten teacher, Palnez School, Tampa, Florida, 1984-1985. Lois worked with special needs children at NACD, The National Academy Of Child Development, Tampa, Florida, teaching children with learning and physical disabilities, children with autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy and other brain disorders, and assisting the children in speech therapy and physical therapy, 1984-1986, Children's supervisor, child-care director and parenting coach, The Metropolitan Ministries Family Homeless shelter, Tampa, Florida, 1986-1988 http://www.metromin.org/, Parenting instructor and facilitator for State of Florida H.R.S. 1986-1988, Office Administrator and Business Communications Advisor for BCC, Tampa, FL, 1988-1989, WORLD-BOOK school service district manager to Charlotte and DeSota Counties, teaching library, dictionary and encyclopedia skills to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, 1989-1993. Parenting instructor / facilitator, infant stimulation and baby massage coach, for IDEAS, Inc., private, and for A CHILD, 1988-current, Montessori teacher, Montessori School of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte, Florida, 1989-1991, President / CEO of A CHILD'S PLACE of Southwest Florida, Inc., Children's services and manager and director of A CHILD'S PLACE child-care learning center licensed for 71 children in Charlotte County, Florida, 1995-1998, department head director and Preschool teacher at Laurel Oaks Academy, Port Charlotte, Florida, 1999-2004, was owner and director of A CHILD, a small home-based private Montessori school - 2004-2008. Lois did book reviews for a publishing company that published home-school curriculum, 2001-2003, was a Victoria's Secret Sales Specialist, 2003 - 2008, personal assistant 2008-2010 and worked in a physician's office in medical records 2008-2010. Last year, Lois was lead teacher to three year old children at Seacoast Academy in Jacksonville, FL. and nanny to an infant.  Currently, Lois teaches VPK at Julington Creek Academy in Fruit Cove/Jacksonville, Florida and also teaches a survival focused swim lesson program that she developed herself and also coaches parents in Infant Stimulation and Baby Massage. ___________________________________________________
Lois' Civic and volunteer background includes Guardian Ad Litem - 1994-1996, Guardian Ad Litem advisory board president, 1996, Children's church ministry and nursery coordinator, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) coordinator, church youth director, singing in the church choir and church praise team and singing barbershop http://harmonyinc.org/. Lois' talents and interests are working with children, singing, swimming, going to the beach and scrapbooking. In 2001, Lois went on a 6 weeks tour with the CONTINENTAL SINGERS to Mid-West USA and Romania. http://www.continentalsingers.org/ Lois has a local law enforcement background check, F.B.I. background check, fingerprints, and C.P.R. and first aide certifications. _________________________________________________________ PHILOSOPHY In my classroom, I strive to provide a learning environment that cultivates individualization, freedom of choice, concentration, independence, problem solving abilities, social interaction, and competency in basic skills; an environment which fosters the fulfillment of the child's highest potential, not just academically, but spiritually, emotionally, physically, and intellectually - as members of a family, a community, and the world. The children are encouraged to make decisions at an early age, helping them to become problem solvers and decision makers, who can make choices and manage their time well. I feel passionate about, and see the need and the importance of, educating the young child during their most formative preschool years. I believe as Maria Montessori does - that young children are like sponges and "soak up" learning if given the information and the opportunity to "experience" it. I believe that the teacher should model the behavior in which she so desires from the child. The teacher's attributes should display integrity, honesty, and respect, in and for herself, the child, her world. I believe that educating the young child is a process and the process will determine the product. I believe that it is crucial for the parent to be involved in their child's education process. The best way for a parent to be involved and to help provide the child a successful school year, is to support the child's school and teacher, to communicate closely with the child's school and teacher, to support the school's philosophy, to show excitement toward the child's school work and homework, and to become an active parent, involved in the child's education, not only in the classroom, but continuing the education at home." - Lois

MEET LOIS

Lois was born in South Carolina and grew up in Tampa, Florida (age 2 to 3rd grade) and Plant City, Florida (4th grade through 11th grade) and moved to Lakeland for her senior year in high school, graduating from Kathleen High School.

 

 

 

 

 

While in High school, Lois modeled for Mass Brothers,

sang in KHS concert choir and performing ensemble, was on the PCHS volley-ball team (#41 in picture), ran cross-country, and in Jr. High, Lois was cheerleader, was on girl' s basketball team, and on the city swim team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL 33 year get-together

In the 80's, Lois was hand model for a jewelry line and modeled head shots for a private photographer, was back-up singer for pop-rock / top 40 band "A Little Love" , touring the Tampa / St. Petersburg / Plant City / Brandon area and was lead singer for country band "Some Say Love" touring the Plant City / Tampa / Lakeland / Brandon area.

 

Lois sang lead in barbershop - International Harmony, Inc. , Port Charlotte chorus, 1999-2004 and won 2nd place 4 years in a row in Region SouthEast United States, and competed in US Nationals. Lois sang lead in the Port Charlotte barbershop quartets "Southern Stars" and "Rising Stars". Lois traveled and sang with the Continental Singers, singing all over the mid-west and traveled with the Encore group of the Continental Singers to Romania.  Lois sang in the church choir and on the church Praise team ensemble (harmony) at First Christian Church of Port Charlotte. for 12 years. 

Lois' favorite music: Jeremy Camp, Third day, Casting Crowns, Avalon, NewSong, MercyMe, Sanctus Real, Mark Shultz, Chris Tomlin, Chris Rice, Kathy Tricoli. I also like Fleetwood Mac, Jewel, Josh Groban, John Mayer, Amos Lee, James Blunt, Faith Hill, Diana Birch, Tim McGraw, Adele, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Neil Diamond, The Beatles, Dispatch, Kenny Rogers, Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Lois' favorite movies: Forest Gump, Sound of Music, Notebook, Casablanca, Monsters, Inc.

Lois' favorite television shows: C.S.I., Mythbusters, PINKS, Lost, HGTV cooking and decorating shows.
Lois' favorite foods: Mexican, Thai, seafood, mint chocolate chip ice cream, rocky road ice-cream, cheesecake, chocolate & starbucks (that's a food, right?).

Lois' favorite colors: purple & teal.

Lois' favorites things/obsessions: starbucks, candles & lotions (vanilla scented),

shoes & boots, smiles and laughter.

Favorite things to do:

Lois enjoys Tae-kwon-do, kick-boxing, riding bicycles and motorcycles, driving long distance trip, qorking with children, reading, sleeping in while it's raining outside, swimming,

going to the beach, walking on the beach,

walks along the Peace River, Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, especially at sunset, walks along Jacksonville's St. John's river, and while teaching her students - seeing the look of enthusiasm and wonder in a child's eyes when he learns a lesson / grasps a concept (as seen here with student, Dawson),

 

 

 








going to "Girl's Night Out" and Playing Bunco with her Girlfriends,

Hangin' out with her best girlfriends: Julie,

Michelle

and chatting and sharing romance novels with her girlfriend, Trisha.

Trisha's Favorite Quote: "What others think about me is none of my business."
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Spending time with best friend, boyfriend: Eric, riding with him on his motorcycle and going with him to watch him drag race (NHRA) his Buick Regal ... "Grandma's car".  It did a 12 second 1/4 mile.  Eric and his Buick was on the SPEED channel "PINKS" as he qualified to be a contestant on PINKS in gainesville.  His car did a 1/8 mile burnout!  Did not win that one!

UPDATE:  ERIC and I were married SEPT. 1, 2012.  Eric retired his car from the drag strip in 2012 (I miss the drag racing) but we still enjoy watching PINKS and also going on rides on the harley.

Make an on-line slideshow at onetruemedia.com

ERIC & LOIS. RACING: ORLANDO SpeedWorld,OCTOBER,2006 & GAINESVILLE Speedway,DECEMBER,2006 & DAYTONA BIKE WEEK: MARCH, 2007.
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MY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

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Having fun with her children: being with son, Bill (a.k.a. Wiil, a.k.a. God's Will) - the serious one, and enjoying deep conversations or bible / spiritua;l talks,

...being with son, Chris - the comedian, laughing at his spontaneous, entertaining ways, ...





being with daughter, Heather when she is totally "weird" , tells about her crazy friends & the funny things they do,


...and
cuddling with her daughter, Michelle
(which are too few and far between since she is now a teenager!)


And having a "Girls night in" with my daughters.








And now... since becoming a "Grammy", spending time with my grand-baby McKenzie.
My first gandchild: McKenzie Danielle Dillon born November 29, 2012.
Mom: My daughter - Heather Nichole and McKenzie's Dad: Tommy Dillon - their first child.

 

UPDATED PICTURES: SEPT, OCT, NOV, DEC 2012

UPDATE: JANUARY 13, 2013 COOPER LANDON HALL was born.  His daddy: My son, Christopher Lynn Hall and Mommy: Brittany Hall are excited to have their first child.  I'm excited to have my second grandchild, first grandSON.

click on "OLD POSTS" (below, right) to see more news, info & pictutres on each individual child.