"A spoonful of sugar makes the parenting more fun. Hug, Smile, Play, Blow Bubbles, Laugh, Enjoy, Explore, Giggle, Get Messy, Dance." -- L.R. Knost
Creating More Nurturing Environments For Children
"Given a choice, young children will usually choose to be in a natural environment. They want to be outdoors, in the fresh air and sunlight, barefoot and naked, surrounded by grass, trees, and flowers, hearing the birds and the wind, playing in water with sticks and rocks. If you ask most grade school children what is their favorite part of school, they say outdoor recess. When children spend time outside where they can run, jump, climb, swing, swim, and play, they eat better, sleep better and are happier. We all know that children thrive in the outdoors. Yet we often forget how much the environment can affect a child's mood and behavior. When children spend too much time inside breathing stale air, hearing the hum of all the lights, electrical appliances, and the television, surrounded by synthetic fabrics, playing with plastic toys, eating foods that contain artificial coloring and preservatives, they get cranky and disagreeable."
This week's article delves into the depths of how all the different elements of nature and lifestyles affect the different ways a child grows, responds and learns, especially in their early stages of growth. The article shares ideas on recreating those experiences based on day to day surroundings and opportunities. It also sheds light on how families evolve together in this process. Nature is really important for the calm upbringing of a child, but also an equally important source of nurturing of a healthy family. [read more]
This week's article delves into the depths of how all the different elements of nature and lifestyles affect the different ways a child grows, responds and learns, especially in their early stages of growth. The article shares ideas on recreating those experiences based on day to day surroundings and opportunities. It also sheds light on how families evolve together in this process. Nature is really important for the calm upbringing of a child, but also an equally important source of nurturing of a healthy family. [read more]
Reading Corner
Title: Water Can Be...
By: Laura Purdie Salas
Ages: 5 - 8
"The snow has started to melt and soon flows and bubbles around the trees and past stones on its way down a stream. “Water is water– / it’s puddle, pond, sea. / when springtime comes splashing, / the water flows free.” Tadpoles hatch under the water beneath the smiling water lilies. Look, there’s a little girl who has broken into a wide grin as she catches a glimpse of her reflection in a puddle. There’s an otter who has snagged a fish from the lake waters and there’s a mountain range overlooking a waterfall as it crashes and curls down a mountainside.
Clouds overhead let loose their drops and the water becomes a “garden soaker.” The fog that lies low hugging the houses is none other than a “valley hugger.” It’s a “thirst quencher” for that doe and a “kid drencher” when that sprinkler is turned on high. Swish, swish, back and forth the water goes as they race through the stream of water. Ah, yes, there are those ice cubes to cool everyone down. Best of all when the rain passes by and the sun tickles the ground, it’s a “rainbow jeweler.” Water is many, many things to everyone. “Water is water– / it’s ice, snow, and sea. / Now go and discover / What else it can be!”
This is a wonderfully soothing, poetic book about water and the many things it can be." -- Amazon Reviewer
By: Laura Purdie Salas
Ages: 5 - 8
"The snow has started to melt and soon flows and bubbles around the trees and past stones on its way down a stream. “Water is water– / it’s puddle, pond, sea. / when springtime comes splashing, / the water flows free.” Tadpoles hatch under the water beneath the smiling water lilies. Look, there’s a little girl who has broken into a wide grin as she catches a glimpse of her reflection in a puddle. There’s an otter who has snagged a fish from the lake waters and there’s a mountain range overlooking a waterfall as it crashes and curls down a mountainside.
Clouds overhead let loose their drops and the water becomes a “garden soaker.” The fog that lies low hugging the houses is none other than a “valley hugger.” It’s a “thirst quencher” for that doe and a “kid drencher” when that sprinkler is turned on high. Swish, swish, back and forth the water goes as they race through the stream of water. Ah, yes, there are those ice cubes to cool everyone down. Best of all when the rain passes by and the sun tickles the ground, it’s a “rainbow jeweler.” Water is many, many things to everyone. “Water is water– / it’s ice, snow, and sea. / Now go and discover / What else it can be!”
This is a wonderfully soothing, poetic book about water and the many things it can be." -- Amazon Reviewer
Recommended by Cubs Editors
Be the Change
This week try looking at water or soil or leaves or anything that intrigues you in its different forms based on who is watching them. You and your children together can create this little exploration of games by using everything in your surrounding and exploring what it might mean to an ant, or a squirrel, or a flower or a bee, or even you in your different moments everyday!
