Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership

生き甲斐: Catholic Husband & Father, Educator, Traveler & Student of Life impulsively spreading joie de vivre! #travel #nature ⁠#Saints #NOLA #EdLeadership

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

Snow Day Louisiana 1/22/2025

SILENCE! Absolute silence. Walked a few miles into the woods, no vehicle traffic, no airplanes overhead, no boats or trains… just silence! What an amazing experience. #snowday2025 #louisianasnow

https://t.co/TBD9PVSLx4

#SnowDay #Louisiana

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

Louisiana Snow Day 1/21/2025

#SnowDay #Louisiana

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

2024 was filled with family, friends and ups and downs. Thanks to an Alaskan road trip and a resilient LSU rugby team that kept winning brought us to 24 of the United States and 5 of the Canadian territories and provinces.

#HappyNewYear #HNY2025 #travel #1se #1secondeveryday

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

Check out the November issue of @Teach_Travel to relive the life changing experiences from our cultural exchange program to Quebec, Canada.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the trip possible!

Teach & Travel - November 2024 https://t.co/da9IXtmUwV via @issuu

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

@cjhowat Remember rogue fireworks flying from hands into the open front door from our bottle rocket wars? #burnmarksonthecrtains #daiquirimachineparty

[NWS New Orleans @NWSNewOrleans]

#OTDwx: December 11, 2008

❄️Over 6 inches of snow fell in portions of S MS and SE LA 15 years ago on this date. Most of the snow was confined to the northern portions of the area, but even New Orleans saw an inch of snow that day.

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

We all have gifts and talents… check this thread!

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

There are exceptions to every rule. 🤯

Since I’ve been sharing guidance on child development and age appropriate expectations, I’ve been challenged on several occasions to explain video examples that seem to defy explanation:

Videos of toddlers with more skill (and, in some cases, FAR more skill) in certain areas than I have as an adult.

Today I thought I’d share several such examples as a thread. 🧵

So what to make of these precocious little ones?

I think two things are pertinent developmentally.

First, let’s talk about the “range of normal.”

I’m often asked when this or that will occur for a baby.

You might have noticed that the answer is almost always “somewhere around X months” or “somewhere between Y and Z.”

That’s because all children develop on a unique timeline. We can generalize and say when things typically happen, but this is premised on large sets of children.

At the individual level, in any range, there are outliers. Kids who develop certain abilities extremely early (and those who do so extremely late).

The other thing is environment. If you’ve followed for any length of time you’ve heard me repeatedly describe early childhood as a period of “apprenticeship” in which children “learn what they live.”

Each of the videos below is likely the result of a little of both: a precocious learner in an environment that has exposed them to - and led to the prioritization of - very specific skills.

These are the skills of their parents and siblings. The skills to which they are exposed daily and motivated to emulate and practice.

And in combination, extremely impressive things can happen.

So let’s enjoy and celebrate some unusually advanced skills. These aren’t things I’d advise are common for toddlers - or worry about in the least if your own doesn’t come close to matching - but are very impressive to watch nonetheless.

Enjoy!

This first video, via wqiuyieysun on TG.

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

@S_Oberle @rodjnaquin Because he doesn’t want to be there but since he is… he’s going the distance!

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

@VisitNewOrleans @dddneworleans @CanalPlaceStyle @cjhowat check this out!

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

@iGiveCatholic Love it!

[iGiveCatholic @iGiveCatholic]

We invite our U.S. Catholic community to participate in something BIG through #iGiveCatholic: over 2,000 organizations from over 50 dioceses drawing support from perhaps 50,000 donors.

By participating you are Changing the World. Thank you for spreading Love and Kindness.

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

@journaldude1 @DanWuori This is the beauty of social media… a platform for education! Thanks @DanWuori

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

As a parent or teacher, young 👀 are watching you. Be a conscious role model!

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

Ever feel like you’re being watched? 👀

If you’re a significant figure in the life of a young child, this feeling isn’t paranoia.

In fact, “watched” doesn’t really begin cover it.

You’re being STUDIED.

From your tone of voice, to the language you use, to your very physicality, your baby is picking up on even the subtlest of cues.

Their goal: to be more like you with each passing day.

This video’s quality isn’t fantastic, but its lesson surely is. Watch how flawlessly (and joyfully) this little one manages to mimic Grandpa.

It’s a big responsibility for sure - but important that you recognize in advance that your baby is always watching, listening, and learning.

Even before you might think they are.

So be a conscious role model and never assume your baby is too young to be soaking in the things you say and do.

This fantastic little mimic was shared to IG by insan.insan.derler.

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

Early childhood learning at its best!

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

“Daddy? [Where] are my boots?” 🥾

Of all the recent videos I’ve shared this one may be my favorite. That’s because it has so many amazing toddler characteristics wrapped up in one adorable clip.

Our hero is on a mission to find her boots. Dad tries valiantly to incorporate a quick Spanish vocabulary lesson - prompting her to say “botas” in place of “boots.”

But his efforts to teach meet their match in his determined daughter - who is armed with the toddlers’ favorite word: NO. (Which, if it’s any consolation, is also no in Spanish. 🤣)

I love this little one’s independence and laser focus on accomplishing her goal. She is her own person and not up for dad’s game.

But her mischievous little smile also tells us a lot. She knows the Spanish word well and can absolutely say it… turning the exchange into a good natured game of her own.

Keep the Spanish coming, Dad. This is the perfect time for language learning… and the exposure will make a difference.

This fantastic little one was shared to TT by infinit_infinit.

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

The shoe is on the other foot now @RTMannJr… just a few years ago you didn’t even want to teach your college students (suspected of having COVID) while all the states K-12 teachers were teaching face to face! #karmasabih

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

@camjordan94 You are welcome in my class any day and I know my high school seniors would react the same way! Relationships first and the power of community!

[Pope Francis – ARCHIVE @Pontifex266Arch]

Let us start from the poor and we will discover that we all share an interior poverty, that all of us need the Spirit of God to free us from the spirit of the world, and that humility is the grandeur and fraternity is the true wealth of every Christian. #WorldHomelessDay

[Pope Francis – ARCHIVE @Pontifex266Arch]

I am following apprehensively and sorrowfully what is happening in Israel. May the attacks and weaponry cease! And let it be understood that terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions. War is a defeat! Let us #PrayTogether that there be peace in Israel and in Palestine.

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

I only have eyes for you, Dad. 👀

Take a moment to admire not only this sweet “serve and return” conversation between this father and daughter - but the completely unbroken eye contact they share.

Eye contact is an important early developmental milestone for your baby and key to strengthening attachment during infancy.

So carve out time for regular face-to-face interaction.

This eight-week-old is in a particular sweet spot on the eye contact front, as newborns’ vision tends to take on greater clarity and focus between 6-10 weeks.

Suddenly see can see dad’s face in detail and doesn’t want to miss a single second.

What a sweet duo.

(Note that if your baby is not making regular eye contact by 2-3 months of age, it’s worth bringing this to the attention of your pediatrician - as this may be a sign of a vision issue or other developmental concern.)

This great video was shared to IG by marywrites.

[Craig Howat, M. Ed. Leadership @aroadscholar]

Often my favorite tweet of the day… thanks @DanWuori for educating us and entertaining us!

Social media can be uplifting!

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

“No, Brin Brin kiss it!”💋

As they emerge from infancy, toddlers find themselves in a whole new ballgame. Once dependent on others, they now have the language and emerging skill set to begin doing all sorts of things on their own.

This often leads to a period of fierce independence around 18 months - in which many toddlers insist on doing EVERYTHING for themselves.

This video has always been my favorite example.

This little one has bumped her forehead. Mom offers a kiss to make it feel better, but our hero insists that she kiss herself. On her own forehead. 🤣

Isn’t this just the BEST?