Monday 30th March: Some Dogs Do By Avril Dante.

Tap Team Blog

“Some Dogs Do”        Jez Alborough

I am the proud owner and career of two delightful (and aging) Border Terriers.  I have a fondness for all things dog, so when asked about my favourite children’s stories, this one is always in my Top 10!

 I like to get children wondering what their pets might be up to when we are not there, creating imaginative stories and pictures about their lives and adventures,, or just their ability to sleep anywhere, anytime.

This story leads to investigating what we need to do to take care of our pets, and our relationships with them.

In one ECC we investigated what animals do fly, and the ones that don’t, even though they are birds!  Why don”t they fly?

This leads to another of my more recent stories about a Penguin who thought he could fly….

Posted by Avril Dante

Monday 30th March. Be your own kind of superhero.

 

BE YOUR OWN KIND OF SUPER HERO!

 

A few evenings ago as I tucked my 5 year old into bed and said goodnight, I looked down at him and noticed a sad look on his face.

‘What’s the matter sweetheart?’ I asked him.

‘I wish I could be a superhero… I want to be Spiderman or Superman’.

I thought about this for a moment, and then asked him, ‘Superheroes are kind right? Do you think you are kind?’

‘Um… sometimes’ he replied unsure.

‘You are, you are great at sharing’ I said. ‘Superheroes are brave, are you brave?’

‘I don’t know’ he said.

‘I think you’re very brave; remember how you came with me to check out that noise we heard the other day when it was dark’ I replied. ‘Superheroes never give up, do you try your best and keep trying?’

A smile crept on his face ‘Yes! I really do try hard.’

‘I know you do, like that time when you started your first swimming lesson and it was really hard, but you never gave up and now you can swim 25m! Superheroes are strong too, I’m pretty sure you’re the strongest 5 year old I know’ I said smiling back.

Then he looked sad again, ‘But I really really want to be a superhero, in real life’

‘You know, superheroes were children once too. And they grew up to be amazing people. If you want to change the world, you have to start by believing you can do it.’

I could see him thinking really hard about what I had said to him, his brow furrowed like he was imagining his superhero self 15 years in the future.

‘Ok Mummy, I’ll do my best.’ he said, and closed his eyes.

I’ve been thinking about that conversation recently, and really contemplating what it is that inspires people to greatness. Like any parent, I want my children to grow up to be happy and successful in life.

But mainly, I want them to grow up to be good people. People who are kind, considerate and compassionate. I want them to be contentious members of society who care about the world and making a difference for the better.

Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook. Sometimes I wish it did. Then other times, I realise that even if there were one, it wouldn’t really make a huge amount of difference because every child is so different. There is no one size fits all rule for bringing up children. What I find works for one, rarely works for others. I’m pretty certain I get things wrong. A lot. I wish there were a re-wind button on days, after the storm has passed and I’m thinking more clearly.

So for now, here are the things I want my children to know about becoming a superhero. These are the qualities and values that I believe we all have the capacity to embrace and embody, and what truly makes a person fly.

Grow up having integrity. As C.S Lewis once said, do the right thing even when no one is watching. Sometimes, it may mean choosing to have courage to do what is hard instead of what is easy or fun.

Grow up with a fearless heart. Be brave and believe in your capacity to do something great with your lives.

Grow up with kindness for others. Kindness is one of the greatest gifts you can give another. It is easy to hate, but kindness takes great strength.

Grow up with resourcefulness. Look for ways to overcome the obstacles that come your way, be resourceful even if there are no resources.

Grow up knowing there is always a way to solve the problem. Superheroes don’t give up, they look for new ways to fight the enemy and solving the problem means trying different things, learning from mistakes and adapting until you find a way.

Grow up with resilience.  Remember that storms always pass. Choose to be stronger because of them. You are what you choose to be. When the bad days come knocking. Don’t run, say ‘Bring it on!’

Grow up being a seeker of peace. Be mindful of others and look for ways to serve. Success does not need to manifest itself loudly, but can be found in quiet acts of kindness and generosity.

Grow up remembering to nourish your mind and body. Superheroes need to eat well and exercise! Read good books that inspire you, watch good movies that uplift you. Take time to meditate and think about what you want to be, and how you are going to get there. Visualise your life as you want it.

Grow up to be daring and take chances. Those that change the world are not shy and reserved. They are bold and brave enough to take risks.

Grow up believing in your dreams. Walt Disney once said ‘If you can dream it.You can achieve it’. You have to unquestionably believe all the way to the end.

Grow up with strength of character. Be true to who you are. Make a stand for what you think is right and be strong enough to stick to it. Know that you can always rise back up after a fall.

Grow up understanding that there will be times you need to take the initiative. Don’t wait to be shown, or wait for the perfect moment. Sometimes you need to take the first step even if those around you will not. ‘The world is a dangerous place not because of those that do evil, but because of those that look on and do nothing.’ – Einstein

Grow up to realise your talents. Everyone has a talent. Everyone has something they are good at. Find your talent and use it.

Grow up to be the best version of you. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else but yourself.

We are all still growing up. We mustn’t ever stop. We may grow old, but growing up means reaching higher. It means looking inwards to find what we need to do to grow taller and be stronger.

 

Blog post written by Hannah Polland

Wednesday 25th March Amy’s Minibeast Memories.

One of my earliest and fondest memories of my childhood is the time I spent exploring the world around me outdoors. I grew up in the early 90’s when there were no mobile phones, tablets or computers to occupy the day – so going out to play was almost the only option.

Spending so much time outdoors fostered an appreciation and fascination for the animals and insects that could be found in the garden or local glen where I spent much of my time exploring. One of my most favourite memories is having a butterfly land on the palm of my hand. I remember holding it in the palm of my hands to show my friends and brother before letting it go, having it transfer the unique pattern of its wings on to my hands.

It is important we instil this appreciation for the world around them in our young children. Playing outdoors allows children to flourish and connects us as human beings to the planet that we live on. Being in nature stimulates our senses and nurtures our natural sense of wonder and awe at the processes of life.

Ideas:

Go on a minibeast hunt round the garden. What insects and animals can you find? What sort of environment do they live in? Is it bright, dark, wet, dry, sheltered?

Make a list or create a tally chart to keep track of the number of animals/insects you have found. Can you count how many there are? 

Can you make a minibeast house in your garden? Use some cardboard boxes and natural materials e.g. stones, grass, moss, dirt, twigs etc. 

Can you move like a minibeast? E.g. really slow like a snail, on your tummy like a worm etc. You could do this to the Ugly Bug Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utWrIWq2_tk

Draw or paint a picture of the minibeasts you found in your garden.  How many legs does the minibeast have? Does it have a pattern? Stripy, spots. 

Story suggestion:

Here’s one of my favourite stories all about minibeasts. Can you name the different minibeasts that appear in the story? Can you count how many _____ there are? How many legs does it have? How many spots?

All comments, feedback and suggestions are most welcome.

Enjoy your minibeast hunt!

Blog post written by Amy Wilson.