Thursday
Stone Soup
Here, at Singing Tree, we have been enamoured with the changing of the leaves and the cool crisp air. Since we flow with Mother Nature and her offerings, we have been revelling in her gifts with leaf hunts, cool walks, pumpkins and stone soup. Yes, stone soup!
You might know the story of a hungry traveller, carrying a pot who arrives at a village starving. He asks villagers if they have any food to share. but they deny him any food. In his desperation, the traveller walks to the neighbouring stream, makes a fire and fills his pot with water. He chooses a stone and places it in the water. As the "stone soup" simmers, a villager walks by, and asks the traveller what he is making. The traveller replies: "Stone Soup, but it would be much more delicious with a vegetable." The villager is then inspired to return to his neighbours and friends to ask if people could contribute to the Stone Soup. In time the village comes together to make a communal soup and it's delicious.
This story demonstrates co-operation and what happens when people come together. In order to bring this point home, we took all week last week to re-enact this story. The children would contribute play food to the Stone Soup. Come Friday we asked each child to bring a vegetable of their choice to daycare. In the morning we got busy making bread and chopping vegetables, and re-enacted the story again but this time the children contributed real vegetables to a real soup. Of course, there was a stone in the soup :) It was so much fun and the children got a lot out of it. Even a child who doesn't usually eat his soup, ate it.
Before our feast we lit a candle and took a moment of gratitude. It was a great week that led into a great day.
You might know the story of a hungry traveller, carrying a pot who arrives at a village starving. He asks villagers if they have any food to share. but they deny him any food. In his desperation, the traveller walks to the neighbouring stream, makes a fire and fills his pot with water. He chooses a stone and places it in the water. As the "stone soup" simmers, a villager walks by, and asks the traveller what he is making. The traveller replies: "Stone Soup, but it would be much more delicious with a vegetable." The villager is then inspired to return to his neighbours and friends to ask if people could contribute to the Stone Soup. In time the village comes together to make a communal soup and it's delicious.
This story demonstrates co-operation and what happens when people come together. In order to bring this point home, we took all week last week to re-enact this story. The children would contribute play food to the Stone Soup. Come Friday we asked each child to bring a vegetable of their choice to daycare. In the morning we got busy making bread and chopping vegetables, and re-enacted the story again but this time the children contributed real vegetables to a real soup. Of course, there was a stone in the soup :) It was so much fun and the children got a lot out of it. Even a child who doesn't usually eat his soup, ate it.
Before our feast we lit a candle and took a moment of gratitude. It was a great week that led into a great day.
Here is Leo meditating on what makes him grateful
Monday
Daycare Spot Opening for November 2015
If you are looking for a daycare spot for your little one, Singing Tree might be a good fit for you and your family. We love lots of outdoor play, purposeful work like helping in the kitchen, lots of songs, books, puppet shows, love laughter and more. If you are interested please e-mail at: anniebdr@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you!
Thursday
Newborns
Last Thursday, I had the honour of taking photos of a 6 day old newborn. Here name is Irene, and she is ever so sweet. There is something about newborns that touches me deeply. It's their smallness that's found in their fingers, their toes and their spindly limbs. It's the sweetness of their deep slumber, and that angelic face. There is so much peace there, and so much promise. Each day the newborn grows, and in it's first year the growth is astounding, but as a newborn for a short time being they are timeless. For me, when I am there holding a small being, or gazing at them, it's like I can sense the bigger picture. They are like messengers telling us that all will be well. It's like they know the secret that we all wonder about. Why are we here? What is our purpose here?
Newborns remind us to slow down, to take it easy, and appreciate the moment, because one thing is for sure; things are always changing. Again, I am reminded of how children are our biggest teachers.
Can you believe that you were, once this small? That everyone of us, who walks this Earth has a birth story? Everyone of us has a life experience, that is unique, with happy moments, sad moments, moments of triumph, and of defeat. We all came from the same place, everyday we get older, until one day, we don't. In this way we are all brothers and sisters...
Wednesday
Monday
Blowing Bubbles
This is a very fun and simple activity that children love. Put a few squirts of natural dish soap, in a cup with water and let children blow out of a straw. What a hoot!
Thursday
Photo Shoot
As a 40th birthday gift, I gave a friend a photo shoot. So yesterday, we went to the dormant train bridge that hangs over the Ottawa river. we had a great time taking photos, and I learnt so much. The experience showed me that I have a lot of learning to do. I was humbled. It taught me that I am still mastering the art of focusing! There is so much more to learn, but the great part is that, I love learning and I love photography. I believe that with those two ingredients, I can make it happen!
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