Archive for the ‘Parent Notes’ Category
Butterfly Paradise
September 16th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
On Monday, the Little Bear Daycare took a field trip to The Farmer’s Daughter’s Butterfly Pavilion.
The pavilion entrance was decorated beautifully with flowers and this cut-out caterpillar.
Inside were tons of flowers and milkweed.
We noticed this caterpillar shaking out of its caterpillar skin to become a chrysalis.
Butterflies, caterpillars and crysalis’ were everywhere.
One chrysalis had turned black (transparent) and the butterfly was about to emerge.
While we were there it did! Here’s the butterfly drying its new wings ready to take flight.
The children had a blast.
Jeremiah had so much fun, he needed a break!
So, we took a wagon ride.
To the raspberry patch!
And picked an afternoon snack.
The butterfly pavilion is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily. The last butterfly release will be on October 4th during the harvest festival. Call 401-792-1340 or check out their webpage for more information.
The Chrysalis (Pupa)
September 14th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
We collected caterpillars which have all become chrysalis’ and so we wait as they transform into butterflies. The oldest chrysalis (and the one that was feature in my previous post) is in the upper right corner; the middle one is, yup, in the middle and the youngest is in the lower left corner. Just for the heck of it I’ve named ‘em Chris (short for Christine or Christopher), Kyle(e) and Jordan- we won’t know the gender till they emerge. Chris is due this week- probably Wednesdayish (the 16th). Kyle(e) is due next weekend around the 21st and Jordan the 26th or so.
Within each chrysalis an amazing transformation is occurring. Their mouths are transforming from chewers to suckers, and their limbs from crawling feet to magnificent flying wings.
I spent a little time this weekend transforming, and I am convinced that having these creatures perched in my kitchen is a significant inspiration. I reorganized our playroom and moved my office into the corner of the living room. From where I am sitting typing I can see seven windows and two doors, I used to look straight into the wall. My aim is for the new perspective to filter into all I do- kind of like turning from a crawler into a flier.
What are you doing to help “spread your wings?”
Stay tuned for the births of Chris, Kyle(e) and Jordan!
Book Review: i love dirt! and let's go outside
September 11th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
Jennifer Ward, children’s book author, is a leading pioneer in getting children (back) outside. Her books i love dirt and let’s go outside are wonderful resources for parents to remind us of the fun we’ve had outside.
i love dirt has 52, seasonally related, activities for children ages 4-8 to do with their parents rain or shine, day or night… exploring and reconnecting with the wonders of nature. Richard Louv writes in the forward:
“There is no exotic setting required, no special equipment: simply flip through the book to the appropriate season- or mix and match- then find and activity (or inactivity) that speaks to you, and go out there. I say inactivity, because there are a number of wonderful suggestions that are designed to get readers to slow down, see what is around them, and pay attention to the senses.”
let’s go outside, contains four chapters of activities and projects for children 8-12 years old. Being in nature can be therapeutic for all of us, so moms, dads, educators, grandparents, this is a wonderful resource. In the words of Jennifer Ward:
“Most preteens are aware of nature’s existence on a surface level but do not take advantage of what the outdoors offers. It’s easy to learn about the force and physics of wind through the use of the Internet or a book, but it is a completely different experience to feel the force and physics of wind for yourself with a kite in hand. Which type of activity do you believe offers a deeper appreciation and a more meaningful comprehension?”
I have borrowed both books from my local library and enjoy thumbing through them for ideas, inspiration, and information… if your library doesn’t have them, make a request or purchase it and donate it to the library. You’re doing your family and community a favor making these books available.
Share your ideas here in the comments or on your own blog. I’m excited to add new adventures to my treasure chest!
Blueberries for Snack
September 10th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
One of the most wonderful aspects of my home daycare is snack during blueberry season. Earlier this week one of the littlest children that I care for decided to take care of herself by plopping down in the blueberry patch in our play area and eating.
I liked that she decided to take care of herself, and trusted me to watch out for her, but not smother her. She only ate the blue berries, none of the shriveled up rotten ones, or still green- late bloomers. She was so proud of herself too.
This same toddler, will pick her own cherry tomatoes and eat up!
Blueberry season is nearing its end. Luckily, we harvested pounds and pounds of delicious ripe berries, which are now frozen and ready for the winter pancakes, muffins, snacks and whatever we can cook up in the kitchen.
The end of blueberry season is one of the first signs of autumn. I enjoy eating them during the summer, but now I start to long for pumpkin pie and squash muffins.
Farewell blueberries… see you next year! (Yeah!)
Nature Play
September 9th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7uRlFWtauo]
I was dinking around on the internet this evening and found this very cute video about the benefits of exposing children to nature. Enjoy! I do not know anything about Wilderdom other then this clip is neat, I like the music and their site promotes learning outside. Click on the link to learn more or be inspired!
Nature Bags
September 8th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
Nature Bag is a mom-run business with the vision to reconnect their families with nature. Each bag contains 20 fun activites to engage children with the natural world! (Picture from naturebag.com)
Children in the Woods
September 7th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
I am happy to say that my son is not suffering from nature-deficit disorder, he learned to walk in the pine forest featured in the photograph above, it’s a rare day when we fail to venture outside to learn from the natural world.
In 2004 as a third grade teacher, I proposed that my class make a small garden on the school property… I wish I had pictures to show off my nine year olds eating radish’s and lettuce. My love for gardening and nature have carried me through the good times and the bad times. As a geologist, I have tried to understand the Earth and know things about the rock types and history, rocks are our universal foundation. Nature is a foundation for me.
I am so excited about the national movement to engage children with nature. Although it does seem a little bazaar that we need a movement to get children outside. That said; I want to share some helpful webpage links for parents and educators interested new ideas for taking children outside.
Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, outlines beautifully the disconnect from nature that our children are experiencing and the subsequent consequences. His book is a best-seller and a must read.
Countless organizations have jumped on board to sail into a new time, where we can hear children playing in the woods, along streams, through the mountains. Check out what’s going on in your neck of the woods!
Children in Nature Collaborative
Children’s Nature Institute
Children and Nature Network
GreenHour
No Child Left Inside
Please email me or comment with additional links that you know of specific to your region.
Fly Like A Butterfly
September 6th, 2009 | Author: Shannon
Here is a picture of our caterpillar friend nibbling on milkweed. When I took this picture, I was unaware that the caterpillar was weaving a silk mat to attach to during the next stage of development: the pupa.
Here is this same caterpillar a few hours later, it has secured itself to the milkweed and become a J shape. It hung here for a few hours or up to a day.
The next day, I decided the caterpillars needed some fresh air so, I took the vase of milkweed to the back porch; I was really busy all day but came home to find a pupa (chrysalis). Here are a couple pictures of this beautiful structure.
In Rhode Island, we have a few week window in early September to watch this awesome event. The monarch butterflies begin their migration to Mexico and lay their eggs on the milkweed plants along the roadsides. For the past three years I have tried to “catch” some caterpillars. It’s really fun to watch this happening.
More later… the chrysalis will hang there for a week or two as the butterfly forms.
A September Getaway
September 3rd, 2009 | Author: Shannon
Jeremiah loves the beach.
Summer time beach trips here in southern Rhode Island can be very stressful during the tourist season… but now, after “they” have left we get to really enjoy the warm water, cool air, moist sand, awesome sunsets, and as we saw tonight, the full moon over the ocean.
I am very blessed. Many years ago, my grandfather bought a little cottage on one of the salt ponds that lead to the ocean. Since I was a few days old, I have been enjoying the beach by arriving through the ponds in a boat.
Tonight Jeremiah, my father, my step-mom, and I voyaged across the pond, scurried through grasses, and bushes of the sand dunes, finally arriving at the ocean for an evening dinner picnic.
The moment we saw the water, Jeremiah ran full blast into the crashing surf.
The sun set, and the almost-full moon peaked out from behind a gentle veil of clouds. As we drove back across the water, the moon came into full silver randiance, flanked by the cool blues of the night sky while the sun sank deeper beneath the horizon leaving behind the warm daytime hues of yellow, orange, pink and purple.
A splendid evening.
A Night Walk
August 31st, 2009 | Author: Shannon
At 7:30 p.m. this evening, it was twilight, and night time was coming on quickly. These last days of summer go so quickly as the days shorten; just a few weeks ago I was still gardening at 7:30 pm.
Earlier this year I used T.V. as a way to persuade Jeremiah to sit long enough to potty train. But T.V. quickly became a habit before bed, and upon rising in the morning. It was easy to change the morning habit, but the night time T.V. session has taken a little more discipline (mostly on my part) to stay away from it.
These past couple weeks Jeremiah has rarely asked for T.V. and will quickly dismiss my “not now” and run off playing. Tonight I was tired, I so wanted to turn on the tube and let him enjoy; but no, our T.V. has miraculously stopped working! So I needed to come up with some pre-bedtime, wind-down activity.
Ah ha! A night hike! We dressed for the chilly air of a late summer evening, took out the stroller, Jeremiah, in his pajamas, climbed up and off we went! Our neighbors have a big open yard in which we could see the moon. Further down the road, we went to our favorite daytime hiking spot “the waterfall” and looked for stars.
Jeremiah commented “Mom, the moon is coming on a walk with us. There’s not enough stars here Mom, let’s keep going!”
He loved it and I have this feeling that perhaps taking a walk in the dark will help him appreciate night time more rather then have a little fear of it.
We could see our breath, and heard tons of animals in the forest and the swamp. It’s a little cloudy, and we need to go out a little later for better viewing, but I think he is fascinated with the night sky.
As the summer wanes, and it’s darker earlier, take the family on a night hike, or out the back door to gaze at the stars and feel the immensity of the Universe. Breath in the cool night air, pause; close your eyes, listen deeply to the sounds of nature.
As we spend more time outside at night, we will become more comfortable with whatever feelings come up. Breath deeply. Hold hands. Grow faith.
Turning off the T.V. and taking a break outside tonight gave me exactly what I needed; a break from the ordinary, a spontaneous moment of joy, connectedness, appreciation and faith.
I feel rejuvenated!
