Children's Author/Illustrator Lois Ehlert Inspired Me to Create This Craft

A favorite book I have referred to often making lesson plans and selecting suitable activities for summer camps is Bill Martin Jr.’s Big Book of Poetry.  This colorful tome includes a number of classic verses you’d likely recognize by well-known authors as well as artwork by some of the most popular illustrators in children’s literature. 

Author and illustrator Lois Ehlert’s illustration for “Ten Little Caterpillars” inspired me to combine some counting, artwork, and creativity for one of our projects.  This page in the book is what sparked my imagination to make a version feasible for preschoolers. 

Below is my modified version for preschoolers.  (It honestly didn't occur to me to check online for crafts she might already have ready to go.  I made this one up on my own and had fun doing it.)  I used decorative scissors to cut out the soil from a brown paper bag, edged scissors for the leaves from two different colors of green paper, a stencil for the flower, 1-inch whole punch for caterpillar body and center of flower, and a regular hole punch for the eyes.  The purple stem I drew by hand and cut out 6 at a time.

I was so fascinated by the biography of Author/Illustrator/Artist Lois Ehlert, I included a copy of it in the plastic sleeve of the artwork each child did.  Click here to read more about this fascinating woman and/or watch the following interview of her.

Birthday Bashes and Heartfelt Prayers

Kevin finds his birthday kind of depressing.  He sees it as a yearly reminder of all that he hasn’t accomplished or done by this age.  When he was younger and dealing with Type 1 Diabetes, he honestly didn’t think he’d make it to 30.  Now that he’s made it well beyond that, he feels that he should have something more significant to show for his half a century plus.

From what he’s told me, an impressive career, or at least one that would make finances not such a major concern, getting a couple of his inventions patented, getting a condo or a house, his dream car, having the ability to take an actual vacation to somewhere fun and/or exotic, something to show for his community service and being a good neighbor are at least some of what he believes would give his life more meaning, significance, worth. (Without saying it out loud, I know that he would also feel more important or valuable if we were parents.  But we're not and may never be.)

I understand this discouraged, self-bashing birthday sentiment.  I have often dreaded my own birthday for the same reason: another year has passed, and I still have nothing major to show for my life, work, or impact on the world.

This morning, I looked out the window at Kevin on his motorcycle as he was heading off to work.  Riding is one of the few luxuries in life that he has and still enjoys.  My prayer for him, other than that he will be kept safe, is that he would know how he has made a difference and glorified God by the many small and big things he has done with great love. 

I have known him for the past 18 years, and I honestly can’t imagine who I would be or where I would be without him playing a starring role in my life.  Most of the time, he doesn’t recognize or accept that who he is and how he is are gifts to everyone around him.  His enthusiasm, smile, quick wit, encouragement, and hard work combined with the fact that he genuinely cares about people all make a lasting impression, whether he realizes it or not.     

Lord, please allow Kevin to see and accept the many ways he is who and where You want and need him to be right now.  Help him focus on You, above everyone and everything else, so that his sense of worth, value, and significance are affirmed by the Truth and Love with which You have created him to be Your holy servant.  Amen.

Preschool Bugs and Butterflies Lesson and a New Insect Song

Last week in Bugs and Butterflies Camp, we confirmed there are insects and spiders all over campus.  Miss Claire and I taught the kids a modified version of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” about insects.  I must give all the credit for this idea to RMS parent Sarah, with whom I have worked in Montessori Enrichment.  She was the one who first suggested these lyrics to help kids remember the three main body parts and number of legs insects have:

Head and Thorax, Abdomen, Abdomen

Head and Thorax, Abdomen, Abdomen

Eyes, Antennae,

Legs and legs and legs (putting arms up, level and out, then downward and out to represent 3 pairs of legs (6 altogether) that most insects have)

Head and Thorax, Abdomen, Abdomen

(I may make a video of this and put it on Youtube, but I haven't made it, yet.)  Check back.  I'll put the link here as well if I do make one.

We also sang "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider," but since those are arachnids, not insects, I thought we should include one that applied to the six-legged friends who outnumber all other animals combined.  I remember this tune from when my youngest sister was little, but I didn't include it in our activities this week when attempting to foster an appreciation for insects and bugs:

Hate Is Hurtful: Seven Practical Ways to Fight Prejudice

This is another original piece of artwork I made
in recent months and hung in the classroom
where I taught camps for two weeks.

Spend Quality Time Together

We can embrace the opportunity to live with and/or near people who are of a different race, ethnicity, religion, and/or socioeconomic background.  The experience of loving and caring for others while residing in close quarters often creates a bond that other interactions tend to lack.

Learn about Other Religions and Faiths

We can attend religious services with a friend who is of different faith or denomination.  We believe in a Higher Power and Being that is far greater than ourselves.  This commonality as well as the values of love, honesty, compassion, kindness, and peace espoused by each of the faith traditions we encounter show that our humanity is the same, and, therefore, our respect for one another’s sanctity and dignity needs to be equal for everyone.    

Travel in the United States

We all have the same basic needs for food, air, shelter, water, and love.  Moving out-of-state several times while growing up showed me that while people’s lifestyles and certainly their accents can (and do) vary greatly; each individual wants to be loved, valued, acknowledged, and appreciated.    

Live, Study, and Travel Abroad/ Learn a Foreign Language

We can learn about other cultures, traditions, and practices.  I’ve found that learning French and studying abroad in France for a year in college dramatically improved my understanding of and appreciation for European culture and francophone countries.  Living with a host family, being immersed in the language, current events, the daily grind, and the historical richness changed me and my perspective of the United States as well as other countries. 

Volunteer 

When we work towards a common goal to meet the basic needs of others, we put aside our differences and use our time, energy, and talents to alleviate human suffering.  We all have gifts we can share with others.  When we are willing to meet people where they are and are attentive to what they most need and want, instead of concentrating on what we think they need or want, then we are being truly present, listening, and accepting others where they are. 

Interact with Children of Various Races, Religions, Ethnic, and Socio-Economic Backgrounds

Kids aren’t naturally prejudiced.  They are taught who or what to hate, fear, and fight against as well as how, why, and when to express those judgments.  They learn this from the adults in their lives, from our culture, and the people they interact with on a regular basis. 

Acknowledge Our Own Biases, Fears, Lie-Based Beliefs, and Misconceptions

This can often be the most painful and uncomfortable to do, at least it is for me.  It’s easier to say, listen to how prejudiced that person’s comments are rather than admit that we typically make unfair and inaccurate assumptions about others based on their words, appearances, and/or the groups with which they identify themselves.

As human beings, we tend to respond to people, situations, and circumstances based on our previous experiences and what we came to think, believe, and/or how we were taught or conditioned to react.  Those are not necessarily the best or most appropriate responses to current situations, though.

Do you have additional suggestions to add to this list?  I’d love to read them!
Please leave them in the comment section below or e-mail them to me directly. 

Not Just in for a Trim: How Getting a Haircut Led to Discussion of Picking Favorites, Sibling Rivalry, and Adoption

Yesterday I got my hair cut by someone I have gone to for several years.  I usually share some recent stories from working with children to amuse her while she’s clipping and snipping.  That’s how we got on the subject of whether or not parents (and this nanny) have favorites. 

Do I have favorites?

She asked me who I would select if I had to choose one child out of all of the ones I have taken care of who I would take home to raise.  The idea baffled me.  Each time I have taken care of children for a large chunk of time each week over a period of several months or even years, I become very attached to them, and I reach a point at which I no longer adequately describe or quantify my love for them.  The connection continues to grow and deepen the longer I’m taking care of and in contact with them.  

There is one cutie in particular that I’ve taken care of for the longest amount of time (in addition to my youngest sister) who came to mind.  However, if anything were ever to happen to her parents (Lord God Almighty, please forbid it!), I sincerely hope all family members and close friends would do everything in their power to make sure the three silly sisters would still grow up together in the same household, wherever and with whomever that might be.

Years, even decades, after children have been in my care on a regular basis, I still think of them often and pray for them.  Fond memories and stories surface pretty much daily sparked by things that the children I’m currently taking care of, tutoring, mentoring, and/or teaching say or do.  I’ve written about these fond flashbacks throughout the series of blog posts I’ve done called My Nanny Diary.

Do grandparents and parents have favorites?

I recounted to my favorite hairdresser a discussion I had months ago with my dear friend and spiritual director regarding favorites in families.  I told her that knowing there is nothing I could ever do that would bring my mom as much joy as she takes in having a grandchild can sometimes weigh very heavily on me.  This isn’t because my mom’s love for her three daughters, two sons-in-law, and other family members has dried up.  It’s as strong as ever!  Her utmost enjoyment and delight in spending time with her grandson is as it should be.      

I feel frustrated and guilty that there is still a part of me that screams out: “I can’t compete with that!”  Why do I feel so discouraged that nothing I have done or will likely be able to do would ever bring my mom the same level of excitement, sheer pleasure, admiration, or attention?  To me, genuine love wants what is ultimately best, most joyful, and fulfilling for the other person, regardless if I’m a part of that or not.    

When honest with my spiritual director about the thoughts and feelings I’d been having, she asked me if I think that my mom loves my sister more because she has given her a grandson.  I wasn’t sure how to answer, so my friend explained how she loves both of her own daughters beyond measure.  Both of them are happily married, and one of the couples has two daughters of their own.  They are very different people, so her relationship with each of them is unique, but she was clear about how her love for them isn’t increased or diminished based on whether or not they have kids.  I could accept that was true for her and see how my mom likely feels the same way. 

This led us to a discussion of whether some parents have favorites among siblings.  Again, I emphasized that usually, from what I’ve observed and experienced, parents love each of their children so much that, though, one might be easier to handle or be around at times, that the amount of love for one child doesn’t surpass the affection and compassion for another.    

Baby in a Basket

We’d talked enough over the years that I knew my hairdresser had been adopted.  I didn’t recall the circumstances surrounding her adoption, though.  I was horrified when she told me the details related to her story.  She was left on a doorstep as a baby.  What’s worse is that she never really felt accepted or liked by the other children in the family that took her in.  How awful to go through life not feeling wanted by anyone!  She said that she hasn’t kept in touch with any of them. 

“Have you ever tried to find your real parents?” I asked, cautiously.

“No.  And I wouldn’t want to know who they are,” was her abrupt response.

What would you do?

I stayed pretty quiet after that.  I mostly prayed silently that God would somehow let her know that she is dearly loved and allow her to experience that depth of love that seems to have been missing from her life for a long time.  She’s single.  No family of her own or relatives she keeps in contact with.  She does have some friends she’s told me about that she’ll go on short trips with now and again. 

Hearing more about her reality and life has affected me.  It's made me want to do something to let her know that her life matters and that people do care.  Maybe I’ll write her a note and drop it off to let her know she will be in my prayers.  Presence and prayers are pretty much what I can offer at this point.  Who knows?  Maybe that’s enough.  

Top Six Things Never to Say to Couples, Parents, or Caregivers

The child in the picture put the sock
in her own mouth, interestingly enough,
well before I was more worried about
what might come out of her mouth than
what she might put in there that didn't belong. 

I have put the following statements some of my friends and I have heard ad infinitum (as well as a few I’ve been guilty of asking or saying myself) by putting them into three categories:

Never: just stop saying these things altogether.

Okay: frequently used questions or statements that aren’t quite as taboo or offensive, but which should only, if ever, be uttered by close family or friends in a private setting.

Better: suggestions can be used much more liberally and usually is acceptable to say to acquaintances.

#1. Got Kids?

Never: Why don’t you have children? 

Okay: Do you have children? It is okay to ask if you genuinely don’t know the answer. If you’re digging for personal information about their fertility or infertility, don’t bother even asking this. 

Better: Tell the person the reason behind your inspiration for asking if it’s something complimentary about them that has made you wonder if they have their own offspring. 

Example: You’re so great with kids.  You have so much energy, patience, compassion; such a high tolerance for pain, lack of sleep, utter chaos, knowledge of First Aid, triage, etc…

#2. Are You Done, Yet?

Never: Are you finished now that you have X number of children? is NEVER okay to ask.  Not even the primary care physician of the mother or father should ask this question in such a way that implies the couple shouldn’t have any more children.  That isn’t your decision to make.  

  

Okay: Would you like to or are you hoping to have more children?

Better: Would you like us to watch the kids for an evening, so you can have a date night with your spouse?

#3. An Improbable Epiphany

Never: Have you ever thought of adopting? We’ve gotten this one a lot.  It's kind of a ridiculous question to ask if you really consider it.  I don’t know any couple who has struggled with infertility and has not considered adoption as one of the possible options.  You’re not suggesting anything we haven’t already thought about.  There’s a lot more to it than you realize and/or probably want to know. 

Okay for a friend to ask: How do you feel about adoption?  Are you and your spouse open to adopting?

Better: Share a story about someone you know who is adopted or has adopted and see how they respond.

#4. Endangered Adults 

Never: Cherish this time, because it goes by so fast.  It not necessary to remind a parent or caregiver of this when they are holding a cuddly baby, a snuggly toddler, when the kids are sound asleep, the adult is able to laugh about earlier embarrassing incidents, and/or the discussion is centered on admiring the personality of an older child, because the adult in question is probably already treasuring those precious moments.  

For your safety and their sanity, don't ever say cherish to a parent or caregiver who is currently: a.) covered in spit-up, snot, vomit, pee, poop, and/or splattered food b.) in the middle of changing a messy, nasty-smelling diaper while the pooper is flailing fecal matter in all directions,  c.) in desperate need of a shower, a good night’s sleep, or just a measly five minutes alone, d.) trying to pry a toddler-sized blob off of the floor e.) attempting to calm a young person of any age who is presently pitching a knockdown, drag-out fit in the middle of any place, public or private f.) liable to leave you with any or all of the offending parties and run away.    

Only crazy people would be able to “cherish” these types of moments as they’re occurring.  You have my permission to despise the exasperating aspects of parenting, nannying, teaching, and/or taking care of children in any capacity.  You don’t need to cherish the crappy moments or even like them.  Do your best to keep cool or even just a low level of warm instead of blazing enraged. 

#5. The Pollyanna Approach

Never: Things will get better soon.  For one thing, this isn’t necessarily true.  Things may get worse, more hectic, and be more painful for quite some time before they eventually improve.  On the other hand, things may improve, but not in the timeframe you had hoped.  Then again, life could continue to drain all of your energy and creativity by presenting ever new challenges and obstacles that will basically keep you at the same level of struggle without getting better or worse.   

Okay: I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time.

Better: So tell me about what’s been going on…said sincerely and followed by attentive listening. 

#6. Used Up Euphemisms

Never: Someday you’ll look back on all of this and laugh.  I’m guilty of saying this to a friend who was at her wits end after a tough time with their infant daughter.  Fortunately, her husband helped me snap back to reality by responding with: “Yeah, maybe when dementia sets in.”

Got Something to Add to this Never List? Please share it!

I’m sure other people can make some great additions to this list; it is my hope they'll add them in the comments section and/or e-mail them to me directly, so I can create a more thorough list of what not to say, at least, if sensitivity, compassion, and/or tact are important to you. 

Naturally Inspired Camp for Elementary Schoolers

I love bright colors, photos, pretty papers, and art supplies!
These are some of the ones I brought
from home to share with the kids.

This past week in Naturally Inspired Camp we spent time enjoying the beauty of nature.  I taught each person how to use my digital cameras, so they could take photos around campus of various trees, plants, insects, and favorite spots in The Wishing Woods. 

    

A number of the poems we read together came from two of my favorite poetry books to use when I teach creative writing to this age group (1st-3rd graders): Poetry Speaks to Children, which comes with a CD recording of many of the poets reading their own work.  The other main book we referred to is The Bill Martin Jr.’s Big Book of Poetry, which includes a number of classic verses you’d likely recognize by well-known authors as well as illustrations by some of the most popular figures in children’s literature. 

I hung and placed colorful artwork and photos wherever they looked along with word games and other writing prompts to help get their creative juices flowing.  With a puppet theater, magnetic poetry, animal and nature prints scrapbooking paper, a colorful assortment of art supplies, photos, stencils, and their own very active imaginations, they were naturally inspired to write, draw, take photos, and express themselves through poetry, art, and impromptu skits. 

I’m very impressed with their work.  I loved reading and seeing what they came up with.  We were also amused by the group discussions we had.  Many of the boys stated snakes are their favorite animal.  

After we read Imogene’s Antlers, I asked everyone what feature of an animal they’d like to have and why.  Most of the girls (and both teachers) answered that we’d like to have wings so we could fly.  

When someone asked me if I’d want to have butterfly wings, I answered in a very practical fashion that I’d prefer to have stronger wings, ones that were proportionally large enough so that I could actually get off the ground.  “If you get the feature, I bet it comes in your size,” was the immediate response of a wise young girl.  How could I argue with that?! 

I simply couldn’t resist putting out the little miniature erasers in the shape of flip-flops that I found in the supply closet.  When one of the boys made a mistake while writing, I had to laugh at his simple proclamation on the way to retrieve one: “I need a flip-flop!” 

On Friday, I asked the kids what activity they liked best over that week.  A couple said writing poetry, others taking photos, then several decided they liked all of it.  I know I had fun writing, reading, taking photos, hearing their discussions, and doing artwork.  The assistant teacher said she really enjoyed it, too.  Yippee, Naturally Inspired Camp was a success!

Check back, I may include some of the poetry I wrote and photos I took in another post.