Parenting Handouts

From the moment of birth, when we draw our first breath, air becomes one of the most important elements of life. It is all around us, all the time, yet it is often taken for granted. We don't consciously think about how much we need it every time we breathe in and out. Only when breathing becomes difficult do we take notice.

Sometimes it is like that with God. We are gifted with life by God. We are sustained in being by God. Everything we have comes from God. Yet in the rush of everyday life, we fail to take time to realize the importance of God in our lives.

Religious symbolism abounds with references to air, wind, and breath of life. How much richer our appreciation of such references is when we fully comprehend the reality. Like the air around us, we can't see God. We can only feel God's Presence in our life, like a gentle breeze or gusty wind. Without air we cease to live. Without God?

Young children must learn a lot about life as they grow. Unless the importance of all God's creation is pointed out to them, they will not develop the appreciation and respect God's creation deserves. Air is just one item in a long list of gifts that children enjoy exploring.

Did you know that you have warm and cool air inside you? Try this experiment breathing on your hand - with your mouth wide open, puff (warm), then with your lips pursed, blow (cool). To young children it is a miracle! "Thank you God for the air inside me!"

Flying kites is a fascinating pastime. Everyone from young children to grandparents enjoy the excitement of launching a kite and watching it climb higher and higher into the sky, another "little miracle." What a perfect time to say, "Thank you God for the wind that lifts my kite."

Spend some time watching air in action. It can be a cooling breeze on a hot day, a gusty, cold wind that blows leaves and papers around, or a full force gale that knocks down trees. Wind can be helpful in many ways; it propels boats on the water, enables planes to fly, turns windmills that generate electricity and pump water.

Think of the many things that require the action of air. Balloons would not be much fun if they were not inflated by air. Bubbles are just liquid in a bottle until someone blows them into the air. How many musical instruments could not make a sound if air was not blown into them?

As you explore these common activities with young children, just remember to add the God-talk that is so important. Simply thanking God for air reminds children that it is a gift from God. Taking care of that gift is important, too. Explain to even young children why it is important to not pollute the air all people must breathe. Show good example by being ecology-minded. Recycling is an important way to help take care of the world God gave us.

Time spent with your children is the most important time you can spend. How can the pace of life be slowed down so that there is time and energy left to spend with the children? There is no easy solution. Priorities need to be examined. Less important activities can be dropped. Game nights together with no TV are fun.

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #41

Light of the World, Help Us to See

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

What a world of darkness we would have without light! What a world of darkness we would have without God! Jesus is often referred to as the Light of the World. Light is an important religious symbol. Exploring the experience of light deepens appreciation of that symbolism.

Humans seem to have an inborn fear of darkness. Primitive humans were at the mercy of nature until they learned to control fire and illuminate their camps. This light warmed them, enabled them to cook, kept away night predators, easing fear.

Many children have a fear of darkness. Frequently they request lights be left on, so they can see what is around them. Acknowledge such fear, it is real! Feelings and emotions are part of being human. They are neither good nor bad, they just are! Never ridicule a child for being afraid. A night light is a small price to pay in preserving a child's self-esteem. Reflect on times you have been afraid in the dark. Share your story with the child. Let children know it is acceptable to have fears then work with them patiently.

Explore the importance of light in our lives. The sun is the most important source of light. Without the sun's light plants couldn't grow. Put a box over a plant for a few days and see what happens. People need sunshine, too, for warmth and good health. Experience the warmth of the sun. Let it beat down on you, warming you. Step into the shade, feel the difference. Touch the ground or cement in full sun and in shade. Notice the temperature difference. How does it feel on cloudy days when the sun is hiding? The world even looks prettier on sunny days. Colors reflect the sun's rays. When it is overcast the world looks rather gray, things appear drab and dull. Even people's moods seem to change. Thank you God for the sun!

Think about all the other lights that are important to us in everyday living; talk about them with children. Moon and stars tell seasons and directions. Fire gives light and warmth - campfires, candles, barbecues. Electric lights come in lots of shapes and sizes - lamps, traffic signals, street lights, store signs.

Much is taken for granted unless it is pointed out and examined. Light is essential to life. We couldn't live in darkness. When you go to the Holy Saturday service and the church is dark until the Paschal candle is lit, think about how much we need light in our lives. Perhaps the importance of Jesus coming into the world, taking on our human nature, and really experiencing life, as we live it, will have a new depth of meaning for you.

With the light of Christ's love in us, we can become a light to the world. When children see how much light one candle can make in a dark room, the words to the song, "This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine!" take on new significance!

Teaching young children about light and darkness helps reduce fear. Play with light. Darken a room, light a candle, watch as your eyes adjust so you can see better. Enjoy the shadows dancing around the room as the candle flickers. Make dancing shadows. Give children a small flashlight of their own to dispel the darkness. Play "light tag" with them on the ceiling with your light chasing their light. Make shadow animals. Time spent enjoying light with children is true "quality time."

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #42

Living Water, Give Us Life!

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

To the desert people of the Old Testament water was vital to their survival. Without water everything would die. Water meant life! Much of religious symbolism centers around water. As you read Scripture, watch for the many references to water and meditate on how God's love is reflected in life-giving water, gentle rain, and the cleansing/birthing action of water in Baptism that makes us a child of God.

In everyday living, we have come to expect clean water to pour forth from the tap at the turn of a handle. The plight of drought victims seems distant, until we face a similar problem. Conserving water then becomes high priority. Children today are very aware of ecology issues, recycling, and water use. Many times it is the children that remind us of the issues. By talking about the basic needs of life, adults can enhance children's understanding of the wonderful gifts God has bestowed on us.

In helping children learn to value water, point out the many ways we use water every day. Start with getting up in the morning and see how many things they can think of that involve the use of water. Until the water must to be shut off for plumbing repairs, we tend to forget how many ways we use water. [Or go camping where all water must be brought with you or carried from a central spigot!]

Thirst quenching is a primary property of water. Since humans are about 60% water, we must drink water to live. Irrigation comes next since plants couldn't grow without water, and without plants humans and animals would have no food. Cleansing ranks as a highly significant purpose, since it is essential for good hygiene. Don't forget recreation! Nothing refreshes like a hose on a hot day, except maybe a lake, river, stream, ocean, or swimming pool!

Water takes many forms that children need to understand. When heated, water becomes steam. Steam condenses and becomes water again. When frozen, water becomes ice. Melted ice becomes water again. Such qualities of water help children understand how water cycles in the world. God's ingenious plan gave the Earth a specific amount of water, and the same water cycles over and over. The sun beats down evaporating water into the sky where it gathers into clouds. When the clouds get full of water, turning gray, they release the water back to somewhere on Earth as rain or snow.

Although greatly simplified, children can begin to learn about nature and why we must care for God's creation. Adults tend to take these "miracles" for granted. Remember to look at ordinary things through the fresh, young eyes of a child. The world is filled with wonder and awe. God placed us in such a marvelous environment. We need to do some exploring and investigating to realize just how marvelous!

Since young children are concrete learners, the best way to teach them about water is to let them experience it! Give them water and let them wash their toys. Give them a funnel, some plastic bottles, spoons and cups to improve their coordination skills. Play "sink and float" games with them when they are in the bathtub. Let the children "paint" your house! Give them a bucket of water and a large paint brush. The water changes the color of cement or wood, temporarily, and the children have great fun! Thank you, God, for the gift of water!

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #43

"We Are Part of the Earth and It Is Part of Us."

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

In the words of Chief Seattle, a respected leader of the Suquamish Indians, "What befalls the earth befalls all the sons and daughters of the earth." For this reason, the subject of God's gift of earth is an important topic in early childhood curriculum. It is another of the basic elements of survival which people need.

Young children have natural curiosity and desire to learn. The first six years of life are the optimal time to instill in them a thirst for knowledge, a love of reading, and a desire to make the world a better place. Explore with them the many components that make up the Earth on which we live. Soil is intriguing to look at with a magnifying glass. There are many kinds and colors. Run a magnet through dirt and separating iron particles. My children used to spend hours playing with dirt when they were young! Mud always holds special fascination! Don't flinch! You don't have to "goosh" in it, but allow children to experience fully the enjoyment of earth.

Plants need soil rich in nutrients to help them grow. Animals and people need plants for food. Some soil is very rocky. Farmers must work hard to prepare this type of soil for planting crops. Clay soil, while not good for plants, is used for making products like bricks and pots. Early civilizations relied on this soil and valued it.

Sand is a type of soil made up of rocks and shells which are pounded and ground into tiny particles by the forces of nature. Found mainly by oceans and river beds, sand has many uses but playing in it is a child's favorite use. Examine it with a magnifying glass to reveal beautiful surprises.

Rocks are another of God's fascinating creations, coming in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. Pick one up. Meditate on the stories it could tell of the events it has witnessed in its thousands of years of existence. How many Scripture passages refer to God as "our rock"? Do you have a favorite rock around the house to remind you of God? Maybe you need to find a special one and keep it as a treasure!

Help children develop a sense of wonder at the world into which they were born. Help them to see themselves as having a special purpose in God's plan. Help them to believe that they can make a difference in the world we all share.

An inspiring book to read with children is Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, A Message from Chief Seattle, with gorgeous paintings by Susan Jeffers (ISBN#0-8037-0969-2). Although the words were spoken in the 1850s, it is truly a message for today!

In exploring and learning, young children need to involve as many senses as possible. Go on a nature walk and look for various kinds of soil, rocks, and sand. Encourage children to smell and feel, in addition to looking. Don't panic if they even taste it. That is just another way of learning! Save samples in clear plastic jars, especially when traveling on vacation. Label jars as souvenirs.

Rock and shell collecting are easy hobbies which children enjoy. Give them a special box to hold their treasures. To make their rocks and shells more beautiful, children can "paint" them with an inexpensive clear nail polish. The small brush prolongs the fun! Enjoy God's world and remember to say "Thank you, God!"

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #44

Kingdom of God Like A Mustard Seed

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

The tiniest seed contains life, as does the tallest redwood tree. All life is precious. Respect for life should be nurtured from the early years, and encompass all God's living creations. Throughout the New Testament Jesus used parables with agricultural themes. He taught in stories the people of the day could understand. These people were familiar with the hardships of growing their own food and relying on the earth to provide sustenance for them. Farming was a way of life.

After receiving the blessing of rain, signs of new life quickly cover the hills. Lawns that looked hopelessly dead "miraculously" come back to life. Seeds hidden in the ground during dry days are sprouting. Take a nature walk with children and look at the many ways God is renewing the face of the earth! Slow down and point out some of the "miracles" of nature!

Children need to learn about the miracle of life contained in a tiny seed through experience. Children will only appreciate the struggles of farmers when they have a chance to nurture life through growing a plant from seed. In a small pot on a window ledge children can grow a plant. It teaches patience to wait for the sprout to appear. It takes care to keep the soil moist. These lessons are best learned from experience, not from a book. The pride in accomplishment builds self-esteem.

Human nature must contain a basic drive to grow things. Children get so excited! To see sprouting action, simply place a few seeds on a wet paper towel in a pie tin. Set in a sunny location, keeping the towel moist. Watch with a magnifying glass for changes. Place some soil in a clear plastic zip-bag with popcorn kernels, squirt with water before sealing the bag shut. Place the bag on a sunny window ledge and in a few days - signs of life.

Using paper egg cartons is ecological. Put soil and seeds in each compartment. Water daily - children love using squirt bottles - watch out! When plants get big enough, cut the egg carton in sections and place in the ground with the seedlings. You may even see roots growing though the carton. Clear plastic 2-liter soda bottles make good terrariums; just cut in half, fill with soil and seeds, water, then tape top back on.

When you are in the market, let children explore the various fruits and vegetables, looking for how the plant grows and where the seeds might be found. Show them seeds that we eat, like beans, corn, peas. Let them examine foods as you cook to see seeds that are inside, for instance tomatoes, squash, apples.

Ask how many apples are in an apple seed? Children might think you have the question backwards. Think about each seed producing a tree, and each tree producing thousands of apples within which are seeds for more apple trees! There is a lot of potential in an apple seed!

Maybe Jesus' parable about the Kingdom of God would have more impact on us if we talked about each person's love being like a tiny apple seed. As the seed is nurtured and grows, it bears more fruit that reaches more people, who in turn grow and bear fruit. What a Kingdom we could be!

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #45

We Are All Flowers in God's Garden of Love

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

In a child's chubby little fist, a dandelion, given in love to Mommy, is probably the most precious flower on earth. What one person might call a weed, becomes a treasure! Flowers are a symbol of love! Flowers are a gift of love - from God! Some of the most wondrous qualities of flowers are their magnificent array of colors, shapes, and sizes. God certainly used a lot of imagination in designing such inspiring gifts for our appreciation. Can you visualize the world without flowers?

Part of the magic of Spring is the sudden emergence of color all around us. The dullness of winter is dispelled. Landscapes that were only green and brown take on a vibrancy with red, yellow, purple, orange. All the colors of the rainbow are found in flowers. Take time to appreciate fully the variety of color.

Look at the sizes of flowers. Some, like a sunflower, are quite large. Others are very, very tiny. A magnifying glass helps to observe their delicate shapes. Some flowers grow alone, some come in clusters. Some are fragile, while others are strong. Some have thorns to protect them from harm.

Are there similarities between people and flowers? Spend time examining the differences between flowers, always recognizing the beauty of each flower. No matter what flowers you put together, bouquets are always beautiful, especially when created by a child! How boring it would be if all that existed were roses, or marigolds, or daisies. God knows variety is best. People are all different, too. Every person has a beauty all their own. They are an unrepeatable image of God. Each person has gifts and talents to contribute to the world. Together, all the differences make the world a more beautiful place.

Then consider the fragrance of flowers - roses, gardenias, carnations, jasmine! Each scent is distinct and individual. A whiff can bring a flood of memories. I wish I lived in Hawaii. I would wear a lei all the time (I don't have allergies). Once in a while a particular flower's scent reminds you of Grandma's garden, or your childhood home.

Flowers have a purpose, also. Watch fruit trees as they start to bring forth blossoms. Help a child to watch blossoms turn into fruit. A miracle of life is taking place. Someone has to be there to point it out to children. Nature walks are one of the best ways to encourage children to explore the changes taking place in nature. Give them a small bag to bring home their treasures.

Pressing flowers is easy to do, and preserves the beauty longer. Place the flowers and leaves you want to flatten between two pieces of waxed paper. Put the paper between two heavy books and wait two to four weeks. After the flowers are pressed, they can be arranged as a window hanging. Press the waxed paper with a warm iron. The wax melts , sealing the picture. Frame with construction paper.

Another easy method is placing a piece of clear Contact paper on a table, remove protective paper, leaving sticky side up. Press flowers and leaves onto the adhesive. When picture is complete, cover with another sheet of clear Contact paper, or plastic wrap. Place the work of art in a sunny window! Write "Thank You, God, for flowers!" around the frame!

Let your beauty shine. You are part of God's bouquet!

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #46

Trees Teach Many Important Lessons

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

Spring is a bountiful time for scientific exploration, new life abounds. Take a good close look at the trees around you. Maybe there are butterflies hiding there during the rain! Maybe birds and other creatures hide there, too!

Trees are important to survival for people and animals. Without the oxygen produced by trees the earth's atmosphere could not sustain life as we know it. This is a main reason for concern about destruction of the rain forests. People, animals, and other plants need trees!

Many animals make their homes in trees and in burrows under the roots of trees. Visit a park, sit quietly under a tree. Watch the activity of animal life, insects, too. If it is allowed, find a tree that can be climbed. Children need to experience trees up close and personal!

My sons used to scare me to death with their tree climbing adventures, but their broken arms never came from falling out of a tree! Some trees, especially oaks, just beckon you to climb them.

The tree in our front yard and my daughter have a special relationship. She started climbing it when she was four years old, following her older brothers! It became her special place, her cat would join her. As a teen, she still ascended to her "thinking spot."

Many fruits and nuts come from trees. In Southern California it is relatively easy to find citrus trees with oranges and lemons growing on them. Let children examine the way the blossoms turn into fruit. Look at the different sizes and colors of the fruit as it grows.

As a family outing, at the appropriate time of year, look for farms where you can pick your own fruit or nuts. Children are sure to remember an adventure like that for a very long time.. Particularly popular are cherry and apple orchards.

Shade is another gift from trees. On hot summer days is there anything, short of air conditioning, more refreshing than laying on cool grass in the shade of a tree? Trees help reduce air temperature by absorbing heat. God truly has gifted us with many wonderful kinds of trees.

A popular activity in the early childhood classroom when Spring comes is making a "popcorn tree." After taking a nature walk,we return to the classroom for a very special project. Having looked at signs of new life, especially trees blossoming with white or pink flowers, the children are ready to "create."

Earlier in the week, teachers have filled tuna cans with plaster of Paris, or modeling clay. You can find this at craft supply stores. Place a small branch into the wet plaster, or clay, allowing it two days to harden.

The children can decorate the can with stickers while a batch of popcorn is being popped. Each child gets a small bowl of popcorn and a margarine tub lid with a "glob" of heavy craft glue on it. Then the children go to work making their tree look like the trees outside, full of blossoms.

These trees become centerpieces, while the children start looking for "popcorn" trees all over town! Thank you, God, for trees, and Spring, and popcorn!

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #47

Yes, Spinach Is A Gift From God!

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

Vegetables are a very important part of everyday life. Sometimes appreciation of these gifts is obscured by children's aversion to some types of vegetables. Becoming acquainted with the immense variety of vegetables which exist can broaden children's outlook and taste. Let children explore what is available at the market, talk to the produce manager, and then let the children pick something new.

Vegetable day in an early childhood classroom is an adventure. The variety of vegetables brought in are closely examined; carrots with tops still on, peas in a pod, sprouts. They are washed, cut up, and consumed raw. Even broccoli and cauliflower can be cut into small flowers that invite munching. Children are willing to try an amazing variety of fresh vegetables if they can dip them. Plain yogurt with powdered dip mix makes a healthy dip. For young children who might choke on crisp foods like carrots, steam them until just slightly tender, then chill. This makes them a little softer to bite and chew, but they don't taste cooked.

While exploring the variety of vegetables in the market, see if the children can tell if it would grow on top of the ground or underground. Let them look for roots. See what roots we eat, like potatoes, radishes, carrots, beets. See what leaves we eat, like lettuce, spinach, cabbage. What vegetables grow on bushes? When you bring home fresh carrots or beets, cut a half inch off the top. Remove any existing leaves. Place the cut off section in a shallow dish of water. Keep water in the dish for about a week and the vegetable will start to generate a new leafy top.

Growing a "yam vine" is an interesting experiment for older children.Place the yam, pointy end down, with half of it suspended by four toothpicks in a jar of water, You need patience! Roots will start to sprout in the water after about two weeks, but it takes six weeks to see leaves start to burst forth from the yam. Another miracle of life!

While talking about all the wonderful gifts God has given us to eat, the lesson easily turns to taking care of our bodies. This involves eating healthy foods that will help you grow. Children learn the four basic food groups easily. Developing an appreciation early of their health and respecting their bodies is important.

Drug abuse prevention starts with recognizing that we should not put substances into our bodies that will damage the wonderful creation of God. Children should appreciate at a young age how special they are and how much God loves them and wants them to grow up healthy and strong. This attitude will help them say no to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco later in life. You cannot wait until adolescence to teach respect for life. It needs to be ingrained during the formative years.

Strong self-esteem is the most significant preventive force against drug abuse. God needs to be part of children's self-esteem. Children need to know that God cares about what happens to them. God created them and gave them to their family to share love with each other. Jesus said to love others as we love ourselves. He knows how important it is to love and appreciate who we are, children of God! Unless we love ourselves, it is impossible to truly love others. Practice telling yourself how good you are every day. Praise your good qualities to yourself, just in case nobody else notices. Recognize other people's good qualities verbally; they need a self-esteem boost, too.

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #48

Tiniest Creatures Demonstrate God's Care

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

Some of God's tiniest creatures can provide hours of fascination to children. Entering the world of the young child requires a new vision and appreciation of animals you might otherwise ignore or DEPLORE. Magnifying glasses are essential to a thorough exploration. You might find beauty that you never witnessed before.

SPIDERS! The word itself makes some people shudder. Try to remember that this reaction is a learned response, it can be "unlearned." Your attitudes will be transmitted to the child, influencing their attitudes and behavior. Start out slowly with simple observations. Work up to trapping spiders in jars and releasing them outside.

Nature relies on spiders to catch tons of flying insects each year. Every spider has an important job to do in reducing the number of flies and mosquitoes in your neighborhood. They work extremely hard building intricate webs to catch the food they need. God gave them a special talent that enables them to care for themselves.

An early morning nature walk hunting for spider webs can reveal magnificent, dew-filled works of art. Children can see the intricate patterns more clearly when the web has dew on it. In case there is no dew, take along a spray bottle and gently mist webs to make them more visible. The water will evaporate.

You might not see the spider at first, but if you make a tiny motion on the web, it will alert the spider that something is caught in the trap. It will probably rush out to see what is for dinner! Isn't God wonderful to make such interesting "bugs."

BEES! All the wonderful plants God created need bees to pick up pollen on their bodies and take it to other plants. As bees fly around gathering nectar from blossoms, they do this job for God. In addition, bees take the nectar back to the beehive where they turn the nectar from the flowers into honey. Mmmmm, do you like honey on biscuits? God gave bees a special task to do in helping fruits and vegetables grow. Thank you, God, for bees and honey!

With a magnifying glass in hand, small creatures can be found all over the outdoors (sometimes inside, too, but they belong outside!). Pick up rocks. Turn over pieces of wood. Encourage children's natural curiosity and desire to learn. As repulsive as "bugs" may be to you, personally, children are fascinated by these tiny creatures. Allow them to study them closely by making a special "bug house." The easiest one to make uses a 2-liter, clear plastic, soda bottle. It is unbreakable, inexpensive, and a handy size for children to carry. Make many small air holes by having an adult push the tip of a heated nail through the plastic. fill the bottom of the bottle with dirt to bring the viewing level up to the clear area. Through the neck of the bottle the child can add sticks, leaves, grass, and "bugs." Screw the cap back on the bottle to prevent "escape." If you want a larger entrance, cut the bottle 3/4 of the way around. This makes a hinged top, but you must tape it shut securely.

Flies, mosquitoes, moths, snails, worms, butterflies, even "pill" bugs are all special creations of God. Each one has it's own special place in God's world. We may not understand their purpose, but we can appreciate their existence. Respect for life starts early and should encompass all forms of life.

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #49

"And God Saw How Good It Was." Genesis 1

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

Over and over the Book of Genesis emphasizes that as God created all things, He saw how good it all was and blessed Creation. Biblical concepts certainly play an important part in developing lessons for preschoolers. A person does not need to read the Book of Genesis to a four year old, or have them memorize words they can't understand. Experiencing God's creation is the key!

Birds provide an interesting study in God's plan because of the variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. God has gifted them with talents to find food in many interesting ways. They know instinctively how to build just the right kind of nest to shelter their eggs until hatched. Have you ever been lucky enough to find a bird's nest? Examine the care with which the parent birds weave a secure home to shelter their young. See if you can identify some of the materials the birds have used. Look around this Spring and see some of the unusual places birds have built nests. I saw one in a traffic light!

If you can find a nest to watch, children find it fascinating to keep track of the comings and goings of the parent birds when they are feeding a nest of young. Then suddenly one day the nest is empty and all the baby birds have flown away. They are grown up and on their own! It's a life lesson all parents must learn!

Listening to the sounds of birds can improve children's listening skills. For a successful educational experience, children must learn to listen. Help them identify the calls of various birds. Make it a game. If they listen very carefully, they may be able to track down a nest of chirping, hungry baby birds.

At a child development symposium, the keynote speaker, an anthropologist, was stressing the need for children to experience nature. She lamented that at an inner city center, where she had worked, days went by without hearing the song of a bird. She bought canaries for the center because she feels so strongly that children need to experience and appreciate these simple, natural phenomena.

Hummingbirds are one of God's tiniest birds. If you watch carefully around fruit trees with blossoms you might be able to watch some in action. God gave them the ability to hover. It looks like they are standing still, but their wings are going very fast. In this way they can sip the nectar from the blossoms. Their beak that acts like a straw.

Putting a bird feeder near a window of your home will entice a variety of birds into the child's realm of experience. Either birdseed feeders or hummingbird nectar feeders will usually work. Children can participate in caring for God's birds by reminding adults when the feeder needs refilling, or helping as age and ability dictate.

A wonderful outing to appreciate the variety of birds which God created, is a trip to the zoo, especially if there is an aviary. In the many exhibits children can witness the rainbow of colors. Birds truly make the world a more beautiful place.

Our parish hired buses on a Sunday morning for a Family Zoo Outing. We arrived at opening time, when animals are more active. We spent only two hours seeing the aviary and Children's Petting Zoo. Had a picnic lunch and came home. The timing was perfect! Remember young children's attention span is short and they tire easily. Leave before MELTDOWN! While you can still sing songs on the ride home! "God has made a great big world....eeeeiiii, eeeeiiii, ooooo!"

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #50

God's Wild and Wonderful Zoo - the World!

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

Looking at the diversity of people, animals, and plants around the world, one must marvel at the ingenuity of the Creator who brought everything into being. Each creation of God is special and unique in its own way. Young children get excited every time they learn about a new animal. The world is new and exciting to them. They want to learn. They need to learn. It is the responsibility of the adults in their lives to stimulate their natural love of learning. If properly nurtured, the love of learning will stay with them throughout life.

Although children may never have seen some wild animals in person, through the use of pictures, slide shows, songs, and videos, children can be transported on an imaginary safari into deep jungles. Examining the different places animals live, how they are colored to blend with their surroundings, and the special ways they have of getting food, bring animals alive to young children.

Elephants are used for transportation and power in places where there are few tractors. Pulling down tree branches with their strong trunks helps elephants obtain food. They use their trunks like a straw to suck up water. Then they squirt the water into their mouths, or give themselves a shower with the water. Ask children what they would do if they had a trunk?

Giraffes are another fascinating animal to explore. Their extra-long necks help them reach leaves which are higher than other animals can reach. Their necks, combined with long, spindly legs give them a very awkward appearance. How do they get a drink of water? God gives each animal the gifts they need to survive.

Many kinds of wild cats live in the world. Lions are majestic, the "king of beasts." They are the color of the dry plains where they live and hunt. They blend in with the bushes and can sneak up on their "dinner." Tigers live in jungles with shadows and light. God gave them stripes to help them blend into their jungle homes.

Hippopotami, rhinoceroses, bears, antelopes - the list goes on and on. Each animal is a fascinating study by itself. If you are fortunate enough to visit a zoo you can see the animals in person. Monkeys and gorillas are popular attractions. Children enjoy watching them because they act like children as they run around teasing each other. After studying various wild animals, children enjoy playing a game of charades. Acting out the animals and guessing which it is creates a fun filled learning activity.

Knowing about all the marvelous animals God created, we should do what we can to see that they are protected and cared for around the world. If these concerns are introduced to children early, hopefully it will influence their behavior later in life.

Educational use of television viewing should include programs on wildlife around the world. Parents may have to research the details of when such shows are available, and record them if necessary, for later viewing. Make TV work FOR YOU! There is very little programming for children that is of benefit. Left on their own, children will not usually pick educational shows, unless they are guided there by the adults in their lives. Create a library of recorded shows from which children may choose when TV time is earned to stimulate an interest in learning about God's world

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #51

God's Handiwork Evident On the Farm

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

Primitive man was dependent on hunting skills to provide food for his family. As civilization developed, people learned to domesticate animals and use their gifts in helpful ways. Harnessing of horses, cattle, and oxen provided transportation and strength for heavy work. Before automobiles, these animals pulled the wagons in which people traveled. Plowing a field to plant crops would have been impossible for early man if they had not had animals to pull the plow.

Dairy cows and goats are raised to provide milk and many other products. Young children do not automatically know where milk comes from, nor do they know the many variations of dairy products. Butter, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, and ice cream are just a few examples. Thank you, God, for the cold milk that helps me grow.

Imagine if you had to hunt for eggs to eat. We are lucky that chicken growers learned to take care of large numbers of chickens so we can buy fresh eggs when we are hungry. Ducks live on farms, too. Duck eggs are good to eat also. Sheep are soft and cuddly. Farmers give sheep a haircut then use the wool to make clothes and blankets. Do you have a wool sweater to wear when it's cold? Thank you, God, for warm wool clothes.

Some farmers provide us with the meat and chicken we eat. Unfortunately, since most city dwellers are far removed from agriculture, the growing and harvesting of food is not their way of life. Discussing the aspect of where our meat comes from with young children is a sensitive subject. When my daughter was young her older brothers delighted in telling her at every meal just exactly what she was eating. Singing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" as I dished up lamb chops was not helpful! This probably contributed to her current status as a vegetarian!

Keep any necessary explanations simple. Remember young children's lack of understanding abstract concepts. Unless they have seen an animal killed and cooked, they cannot connect a living animal with the package on the shelf. God created a great variety of animals to provide humanity with food to sustain them. It is part of God's plan. Civilization has reduced the need for us to hunt our food. We can go to the market. Native Americans thanked the Great Spirit for providing them with animals to hunt. They also thanked the animals for giving their lives for people to live.

Remembering to thank God at mealtime for the food that has been provided is important. Maybe we could include the farmers who grew the food, the truckers who brought the food to the market, the grocers that sell the food, and the cook, too!

Since young children are experience oriented, the best way for them to learn about farm animals would be to visit a farm. Unless you know someone in the country who is willing to let you visit, an alternative is visiting a County Fair. Summer is a wonderful time for this kind of outing.

As you make vacation plans, write to the Chamber of Commerce in towns you may visit. Find out if there are any local fairs at the time of your vacation. Take pictures of the various animals and make a scrapbook that children can look at and remember the trip and the animals they saw. Making family memories builds unity.

Having scrapbooks available keeps those memories alive. Come on, you can do it!

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BUILDING FAITH FOUNDATIONS #52

Environmental Awareness Is Religious Education

by Marilyn Spaw Krock

Thirty years ago, in Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII urged Catholics, and all caring people, to be aware of the ecological crisis facing the world. He implored the highly industrialized nations to recognize their moral obligation to assist developing countries and share the God-given resources of this planet. Recently the bishops of the United States issued a statement entitled "Renewing the Earth." Reiterating the previous plea for concern about our world, the bishops ask, "How are WE called to care for God's creation?"

Realizing that the early years are crucial to value and attitude formation, most secular preschool programs include materials teaching children to take care of the Earth. This is OUR HOME and OUR FUTURE, destroying our environment will destroy life as we know it. At home and in Sunday school programs we have the opportunity to include a deeper dimension. God gifted us with a wonderful world, filled with marvelous resources. With these gifts comes God's expectation that we treasure, take care of, and use these gifts wisely. This is no option - it is a moral mandate!

Because young children learn far more from adults' attitudes than by listening to the words they speak, WE are called to model a sense of REVERENCE for all things of nature. Concrete experiences of the workings of nature are the teaching tools. Developing a sense of wonder and awe at the marvels of God's creation is the foundation of faith development.

All creatures have a place in God's world. We need to have REGARD for each and every living creature and RESPECT its place in the cycle of nature. Whether the creature is cute and cuddly, or ugly and slimy, it is part of God's creation and should be admired (in its own habitat).

As children learn about animals and their habitats, they come to realize that people, animals, and plants must share God's world. Everything needs air, light, water, and a place to live and grow. From these early realizations develops appreciation of clean air, pure water, and a litter-free, unpolluted land.

"Renewing the Earth," issues the following challenges:

"We ask the members of our Church to examine our life-styles, behaviors and policies - individually and institutionally - to see how we contribute to the destruction or neglect of the environment and how we might assist in its protection and restoration."

"We invite teachers and educators to emphasize, in their classrooms and curricula, a love for God's creation, a respect for nature, and a commitment to practices and behavior that bring these attitudes into the daily lives of their students and themselves."

"We remind parents that they are the first and principal teachers of children. It is from parents that children will learn love of the earth and delight in nature. It is at home that they develop the habits of self-control, concern and care which lie at the heart of environmental morality."

Make your family motto, "REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!" Reduce consumption, learn to reuse items instead of buying more, and participate in recycle programs.

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