Issue #1 March 30, 2020

Welcome to the first edition of The Villager newsletter.  This was started to provide support for you in uncertain times whether it is a simple parenting struggle or a pandemic.  Parenting is a lonely road and right now it is more so than ever.  The ideas, articles, and general information posted here is intended to lighten your load, not make you feel overwhelmed.  Take from it what works for your family and increases joy and leave the rest.

Did you know?  Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards!

Nature Connection

As they are saying, Nature is not closed and in many way may be healing a bit from humans reducing their footprint during these times.  One of the main ways you can begin to connect with nature for you and your children is to bring your awareness to the birds.  The following is an excerpt from a dear colleague, Lia Grippo, Founder of WIld Roots Forest School

Birds!!
Posted by Lia Grippo

The Haudenosaunee people say that when all of life was created, the Creator gave all of us original operating instructions.  Among other instructions the birds were tasked with singing. It is believed that part of their mission is to affect the minds of humans.  When our minds fall down around our ankles and we start tripping over them, they say, listening to birdsong will lift our minds back up where they belong.  

Our young children are imitative beings.  You’ve all, no doubt, seen the truth of this in your children imitating you and others around them.  This means that our own actions are the strongest educational tool we have to offer our children. When it comes to nature connection, your own genuine curiosity and the actions that follow will be witnessed and imitated.  Your efforts will be more effective if you do not treat this as a lesson, but rather simply do this in your children’s presence.

What was the first bird sound you heard today? 
You can ask yourself this question every day. 

Try and imitate the sound you heard.  Keep trying. You might feel silly at first, but silly is a wonderful way to feel.  Do this in the presence of your children. 

Share with your family which bird sound was the first you heard. Notice and imitate bird sounds throughout the day.

Pay attention.  Soon enough your children will also begin to imitate bird sounds and might begin tell you which was the first they heard today!!  Celebrate! This is how connection begins.

STORY CORNER

The Little Gnome Who Had to Stay Home

By Susan Perrow © 2020    www.susanperrow.com

This story was written for use with young children (suggested ages 3-5 years) who are required to stay home during the current C-19 pandemic, or who have had their freedom severely modified (e.g. perhaps they can attend school but can’t attend special assemblies, festivals, parties or events). The song at the end has been left open for teachers and parents to create more verses with ideas from the children. The story can be changed/edited to suit different situations – e.g. mother tree could be father tree or grandmother or grandfather tree, or you may want to omit the part about ‘gnome school’. The main character could also be changed (e.g. instead of using a gnome, the story could be about a mouse stuck in his little house, or a bird that must stay and rest in the nest).

Little gnome was confused.

Why did he have to stay home? Didn’t everyone know how little gnomes love to roam!

He couldn’t go to gnome school, he couldn’t play with his friends in the forest, and his friends couldn’t visit him.

Little gnome was stuck in his tree-root home.

At least he could look out his window through the rocks and the tree roots.He was surprised that there was so much to see. Little ants were scurrying by, brightly colored beetles were climbing up and down the fallen leaves, and floppy eared rabbits were hopping in and out their burrows.

But even with all these things to watch, little gnome was growing impatient. Why did he have to keep on staying home? It didn’t make sense to him why he could not roam.

Then Mother Tree whispered to him:

“Things are not as they used to be - but trust me - soon you will be free - trust me, trust me.”

Little gnome knew in his heart that he could always trust Mother Tree.

Mother Tree carried the wisdom of the whole forest!

Mother Tree knew all about everything. The birds and the wind were her friends and messengers. They visited her every day, sharing the news of the big wide world.

Little gnome could hear when the birds came by. He could hear them singing high up in the branches of Mother Tree.

Little gnome could see when the wind was visiting. He could see the branches swaying this way and that. He sometimes had to close his window to keep out the leaves and dust stirred up by this busy friend!

Everyday Mother Tree continued to whisper to him:

“Things are not as they used to be - but trust me - soon you will be free - trust me, trust me.”

So little gnome had to trust, and little gnome had to wait. Soon he knew he would be free again to leave his home amongst the rocks and tree roots. Soon he knew he would be free to roam once again in the beautiful forest.

And while he waited, he was surprised how many things he could find to do in his cozy little tree root home.

Little gnome can dance

Little gnome can sing

Little gnome can paint and draw

And do somersaults across the floor.

Little gnome can dance

Little gnome can sing

Little gnome can clean and cook

And curl up with a picture book.

Little gnome can dance

Little gnome can sing

Little gnome can...............

And ..................................

Little gnome can dance

Little gnome can sing

Little gnome can................

And ....................................

Little gnome can dance

Little gnome can sing

Little gnome can.................

And .....................................

Note: I have chosen to write this story with a 'mirroring' structure - the story simply reflects the situation and expands upon it with images that help share a message that is too strong to state directly with little children. I haven't promised any timeline because that would be irresponsible as no one knows it at this stage. The story’s aim is to encourage acceptance of the current ‘social distancing’ situation, and to help motivate the children to find and enjoy activities that they can do within the home.
For anyone new to ‘story medicine’, stories can help navigate the emotions that come with different kinds of loss and challenging situations. By allowing rather than resisting the truth, and by dressing it with the fabric of the imagination, stories can help the process of weaving the truth into everyday life, especially with young children.

Nature Remedies- Natural Disinfectant