Friday, January 18, 2013

Being Birds

     jan 16 005
A few days ago I was chatting with another StrongStart
facilitator about our focus on birds and she lent me
the above grapevine wreathes. 
She used them at her centre and a child immediately
sat down and said “I’m a bird”.
     jan 16 008
That’s what happened at our centre too. 
The girl in the above pictures was the first to try the nest. 
When asked what kind of bird she is, she responded
“a robber bird that likes shiny things”.
jan 17 030 jan 17 032
The next day I brought in feather boas and we talked about
how birds use them to make the inside of the nest soft and
comfortable.
jan 18 016 jan 18 004
The feathers were the invitation that many of the children
needed to play as birds.

jan 18 011 jan 18 013
              They flew in and out of the nest.
jan 18 025 jan 18 029
            There were baby birds and mama birds.
jan 17 084 jan 17 085
I tried the nest too and was busy flapping my wings when this little guy
gave me a look that said “you gotta be kidding, Maureen”. 
But it didn’t take much persuasion for him to join me.
      jan 17 087
We are busy tweeting like birds in a nest when his dad flies over
     jan 17 088
with a worm to feed the baby.  Love when the grown ups
get involved in the play, it reinforces the positive learning
and that it's fun and okay to be silly. 

Often during the day I asked the question 
“If you were a bird what kind would you be?” 
We had eagles, crows, gulls, herons and more.

Now I put that same question to you –
"If you could be a bird, what kind of bird would you be?

3 comments:

  1. You do the coolest things at your centre. I love the picture of the dad who joined the play with a worm for his little bird :)
    I think if I was a bird, I would like to be a pelican; they live on the beach, can swim, fly, have the coolest beaks and seem to have a sense of fun.

    sandi

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandi, I believe when we put ideas out there - what you need to make it happen will come along.
      A pelican, hmm I would never have thought of that one but I do like their big bill.
      I read that you'll be coming to the valley next month to present, sorry I'll miss it, I'll be attending the CUPE workshops. Have fun.

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  2. What size is the grapevine wreath?

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