Take a hike: developing an appreciation for nature

This morning on my walk with Suki (my fabulous furry friend)  I noticed baby squirrels skittering across the road, blooming patches of Indian Paintbrush flowers, and a bunny hiding in the shade of a Cedar. I am sure that my appreciation of nature comes from early visits to city parks, National Parks, and camping.  Summer is the perfect time to introduce your child to the great outdoors. It is far easier to get children to recycle and stop littering when they have an appreciation of nature.  Get your child excited by the vision of making a difference at home, in the neighborhood, and ultimately in the world.  Enter an amazing new book (2011) by author and illustrator Patrick McDonnell, Me . . . Jane.  This book presents the ultimate lesson in big dreams with many small steps along the way.  It is a terrific conversation spark about following your interests, nature, and the love of learning.

Me . . . Jane is the story of how a young girl developed a lifelong interest in animals, the environment, observation, and learning.  The girl was Jane Goodall who later went on to change the world's thinking about animal behavior and continues to inspire others to care about the environment and social issues.  McDonnell has included some actual drawings from her childhood notebooks as well as a message from Dr. Goodall remarking that "each one of us makes a difference." This book shows how big dreams are realized. The resulting effect of illustration and text is more than magical, it is inspiring and empowering for little people. (You will like it too!)

Be a Storytelling Parent:
Pre-Read the story before you have storytelling time. Turn off all technology and tune in to your child. Find a cozy spot to snuggle and read the book all the way through.  Add some drama to the big reveal near the end of the book.

Conversation Sparks
What animals do you notice in our backyard (or the park)? 
Where is your favorite place to imagine when you are outside?
What do you like to think about?
Jane was curious about where eggs come from . . .
What things in nature do you wonder about?  How could we learn more about those things?

Jane wanted one day to work with animals in Africa.  What did she do to get ready for her grown up life?  What made her think that she would like that job?
What are some of your ideas about what you would like to do when you are older?
What are some things we could do now to learn more about those jobs?

Extention Activities:
Take a walk in your neighborhood or park and observe local wild life, pick up fallen leaves to bring home and look up the names of the trees. 
Go to the zoo and watch the animals that are most interesting to your child.  Make observations out loud and encourage your child to dialogue about what he/she notices about animal behavior.
Visit the children's section of the library to check out books about your child's current interests.  
Check out Jane Goodall's foundation to inspire you with more ideas about empowering you and your child to make a difference together http://www.rootsandshoots.org/parents. 

Please share your experience in storytelling with this book- Happy Reading!

TGIF: It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Hi Neighbor!

Fridays are celebrationary.  For many of us it  marks the end of the work week and the beginning of less structured time. Speaking for myself, I function best with a balance of both.  I Found this video on Pinterest Supernova board.  It made my Friday special and I wanted to share it with you- my neighbor- wherever you live.

Mister Rogers = Stellar Storyteller

Are we ever too old for Mister Rogers?

Let The Wild Rumpus Start

A great children's book has the ability to take a singular experience and create the universal.  Every kid can relate to Max and the havoc he created in his wolf suit.  Looking at Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak through its storytelling value we have the opportunity to spark conversation about anger, separation fear, time out, parental love, and bounce back from stress. 

 

Maurice Sendak won the Caldecott Medal in 1964 for this classic picture book.  He grew up when the depression, the Holocaust, and the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby were world headlines in his Brooklyn neighborhood.  Mr. Sendak was controversial in his courage to reproduce the intense fears of childhood in story form.

Where the Wild Things Are is my all time favorite (I have many favorites but this one has been longstanding!) so I wanted to start here to book review and encourage a revival of reading time. My vision of A Storytelling Parent is an intentional parent who selects books to help their child with everyday problems and unusual life experiences.  A Storytelling Parent is both a comfort and a resource.

Be a Storytelling Parent:

Read or re-read the book to yourself first. Reflect on recent experiences with your child and their needs at this time as they relate to the story.  Review the conversation sparks and lessons in bounce back guides.  Be mindful in the present experience of reading and listening to your child

Find a quiet place to snuggle with your child and a copy of  Where the Wild Things Are. Read the book at a slow and steady pace so you and your child can take in the pictures and the mood of the story.  Pause before reading the last page: "and it was still hot."

Conversation Sparks

 Why did Max's mom send him to bed early?

How did Max feel when he was alone in his room?

How does Max use his imagination to calm himself down?

Do you think those monsters are scary?

Why isn't Max afraid?

Can you remember Max's trick to tame the wild things?

Why did Max send the wild things off to bed?

Does Max's mom love him even when he does bad things?  How do we know?

 Lessons in Bounce Back

How would Max feel if he used time out to focus on how hungry he was?

     How would the story change if Max used time out to think about how unfair it was that his  wild rumpus ended? Or how mean his mom was?

 

Story time is an opportunity of attachment first, learning second. Pick and choose your questions based on your child and their current need for help in these areas. Storytelling is interactive, and informative to both parent and child--You may be surprised at the answers you will get if you wait! 

Because life has many chapters, every child needs a storytelling parent.

 Please share a favorite insight from your Storytelling with your own wild thing!