Work Bench

Age: From 2.5 years old

This is quite a fun toy that helps fine motor skills development with screwing and hammering, but not totally necessary. I got it second-hand for Joshua (or rather for myself, ha ha), so it did not cost us much. You can also make your own from inspiration from Counting Coconuts. The electric drill works with the screws and nuts. Joshua learns about how to change direction for the drill to screw and unscrew. Alternatively, there are also some good ones from Amazon:

References:

http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/01/diy-activity-board.html

http://tinkerlab.com/2012/06/why-is-tinkering-important/

Montessori Activity: Ring, Ring, Hello Mommy!

Age: From 3 years old

Objectives:
1. To enrich your child's language development with conversation game.
2. To develop your child's ability to express himself.
3. To train listening ability.
4. Provide a fun way for your child to follow instruction and complete his chore.

Materials:
1. 2 plastic or paper cups
2. 1 string of approx. 1.5m long.

Directions:
1. Hold a telephone receiver each and find a spot to sit down.

2. Ask your child, "Where are you?"

3. Your child would answer for example, "I am sitting on the sofa calling you."

4. Invite your child to ask, if he does not do it himself, "Where are you, mommy?", to which you answer, "I am in the kitchen" for example.

5. Invite your child to find another place and continue the telephone call game.

Tips:
Provide a fun way for your child to follow instruction and do his chore:

1. Mommy phone child and give him a simple instruction and ask him to your instruction to complete the task, e.g. Could you put on your clothes please? or Could you bring the newspaper to Daddy please?

2. Child complete the task as instructed.

3. Child phone Mommy back to inform Mommy and invite Mommy to give instructions for another task.

Additional Information:
This is a very simple activity and cost next to nothing. I learn of this idea from a Chinese Montessori book, which I hope to try with Joshua.

Easy Colouring Activity

Age: From 3 years old

While waiting for me to prepare breakfast, if I remember, I will try to occupy Joshua with colouring activity, so that the time is not wasted in waiting.

According to the book, On Becoming Preschoolwise, colouring is a good activity to train Joshua's character development in patience and perseverance, and I agree. But it is not always an easy task, and can be an uphill task sometimes. It requires consistency and determination from parents, but I will try my best.

Colouring is also a good activity for preschooler to practise pencil grip and control, which is a pre-requisite skill to writing.

If your child doesn't like colouring, you can try this.

Montessori Activity: Pruning Flowers with Scissors/Skæring med Saks/使用剪刀 [shǐ yòng jiǎn dāo]

Age: 3.5 years old

Activity Duration: 5-15 minutes

Objective(s):

1. To train the child’s fine motor skills
2. To inculcate life skills
3. Teaching the Science of pruning flowers

Materials:

1. 1 pair of scissors
2. 1 pot of flowers ready to be pruned
3. 1 container to contain the waste

Directions:

1. Demonstrate to your child by cutting the withered flowers with the scissors slowly one by one.

2. Explain to your child that most plants benefit from some sort of regular pruning and maintenance. The flowers will start setting new buds as soon as the old buds have fallen.  

3. Encourage your child to try.

Additional Information:

The sun was shining this morning. We were off from work. What a joy in life it is to be able to spend time with your child and your the other half! I didn't discover this joy, until we decided to have a child, and we have never regretted ever since! It is far better than buying expensive handbag, branded goods, going to expensive restaurants, etc. I would not exchange it for other so-called more sophisticated pleasures in life. The only thing is... this would not last, as we will not live forever on this earth. J is fast growing up, and we are fast growing old... In the midst of joy, I have been reminded about the transience of life... and my melancholy reflective mood took over. Shutting off that thought, let me be reminded to count our blessings, our health that allows us to enjoy the simple joy in life, and be thankful.

This pruning idea was Daddy FECSs'. We needed to prune the Margarethe flowers that we bought. And Daddy FECS thought why not turn it into a Montessori's activity!

I didn't get to do this when I was a child in Singapore, as it is such a academic chase life there! I am torn, between the culture I come from and the childhood that I would like J to have. I pray for God's wisdom to strike a good balance, and avoid the tendency of becoming a "Tiger Mom".

J (3Y2M12D) did very well. There were mishaps though - he cut two nice flowers! Well, he gave them to mommy instead :-)

References:
http://gardening.about.com/od/pruningplants/a/Pruning_FAQ.htm

Look of the flowers after pruning by Joshua :-)



Close-up

Two mishaps cut by Joshua, given to me :-)

Big Enough to Overlook the Offenses of Others

Jua (3Y2M7D) entered kindergarten about a month ago and I had the privilege of following him for the first two days. J wanted to sit beside A during Circle Time. However, she went away to another spot taking another friend along without taking J along. I was for a moment worried about feelings of rejection that J might experience, but I resisted intervening. J needed to handle the real world courageously. J did not take offense. He paused for a moment calmly, thinking whether he should follow or not. He did not follow suit. A day later, I asked him whether he would be glad to play with A. He gladly said yes. He was large and gracious, no trace of being offended by what happened the day before. J always comes home from the kindergarten full of joy (although given the choice of choosing staying at home with his parents or going to kindergarten, he would choose the former.) Far more important than intellectual development is character development. I am glad that J has shown to be emotionally and mentally strong and large to deal with the children at the kindergarten. He is by nature a kind, sweet, big-hearted and generous boy. I hope he will grow up as such as an adult too.

I look at J. I look at myself. I am quite a world apart. How could I be a good model to J? J spurs me on to pursue with greater determination my own character development. I want to be a good influence on J and not to ruin his sweet, kind and gracious nature. I hope I will find myself worthy to be his mom.

Recently some incidents in my life have put me to the test and I struggled. I took comfort in King David’s experience: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” and “for it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it... But it is you... my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together...” (Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14)

I struggle to deal with it God’s way versus the man's way. The world says, “If people mistreat or insult you, get even, lash out, make them pay, give them back what they deserve, bite back. Why should you suffer a wrong?” However, God showed me this verse from the Bible:

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” ( Proverbs 19:11)

I did my quiet time using the Daily Bread on the train on the way to work, and the passage on April 28 spoke to me. There are many great men before me whom I could learn from. One of them was George Washington Carver, who “overcame terrible racial prejudice to establish himself as a renowned educator. Rejecting the temptation to give in to bitterness for the way he was treated, Carver wisely wrote, “Hate within will eventually destroy the hater”.”

There and then, I got off the train and walked to take the bus. The bus came. I stood at the entrance of the bus. The bus-driver shut the door right after the person before me, just as I was about to board the bus! The bus was not at all full. I knocked the door. The driver ignored me. He drove off right in front of my eyes. The other people at the bus-stop sympathized with me. My first reaction was to curse and get mad at the driver. I was about to shout B******, but I stopped myself.

But then I got mad at God.

I told God, “I have been struggling with overlooking offenses and do not need another one, God!”

He said to me, “You have just read the Bible and the passage from the Daily Bread, and now I am giving you a chance to practice. I had a purpose. You are one of my chosen people - You are a Christian. The driver is not. Perhaps the driver had been offended by someone else earlier. Perhaps he had a bad day. He was taking it on someone else, and I have chosen you to be that someone else. Because you are a Christian, you can pray for him. Pray and do not curse. If this incident had not happen, you would not have a chance to pray for him.”

Alright God.

I made a conscious choice to pray for that driver. I no longer felt angry, but sympathy for the driver, and hoping that he would one day get to know the good God, the God who wants to reach him and bless him, and got my attention to pray for him that day.

I had passed the test that morning, but there are more challenging ones to come. As I quote from a text I read somewhere, "Living in a fallen world with imperfect system that is less than fair comes with a guarantee: somebody, somewhere, is going to do you wrong. If not, the system is going to treat you unfairly."

"Am I big enough to overlook the offenses of others? Do I have a thick skin when it comes to the little barbs that inevitably come whenever people are working together? Do I turn bitter? Does it stop me dead in my tracks and take me out of commission for weeks."

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” - Proverbs 19:11

What does Proverbs 19:11 really mean and how I can truly practice it? I want to know and understand it more, so that I can truly put it into practice. I pursued this verse and studied it. The following are not my own words, but from my internet research (see references below):

What does it mean by wisdom here? It means discretion. It means good sense.

What is an offense? An offense is disrespect, rudeness, insult, humiliation, unfair treatment.

What is this patience here? It is similar to showing grace. We are to respond to offenses by giving evidence of the grace of God. It is being slow to anger. It is restraining one's anger. Other version of Proverbs 19:11 shed more light:

"The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression." - Proverbs 19:11

"Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense." - Proverbs 19:11

The first thing we have to do when we are offended is to pray for patience and grace that comes from godly wisdom.

To overlook an offense is to be big enough to excuse it, disregard it, to pardon, to forgive, to shrug off "without the transacting of any communication with the offending party" (quote unknown).

To overlook an offense means "to refuse to give notice, to refuse to consider, to refuse to judge the actions or attitude of another, to refuse to take revenge, to even refuse to get stirred up, to look beyond the offense to Jesus". (mixture of quote from references below)

To overlook an offense is to entrust it to the sovereign God and trust Him for justice*. The God who bore my offense through Christ on Calvary. Jesus, who did not retaliate when he was hurled with insults, and who made no threats when he suffered. He was treated harshly, He was beaten, ultimately crucified and through it all “he never said a word”, “he did not open his mouth“. Jesus is an amazing example to us and set the pattern for dealing with offenses:

"But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. When they hurled their insults on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly" - 1 Peter 2: 20 - 21, 23

"When we bear the burden of justice, it constantly stirs in our soul. But when we release that burden to God, then we experience the light air of peace. God is able to work together all things for the good." (mixture of quote from references below). We can learn from Joseph’s experience:

Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” (Genesis 50:19–20)

Choosing not to get offended is glorious according to Proverbs 19:11. The glory is found in the fact that this action reflects God’s grace. By so doing we will reflect the glory of the gospel in our lives like few other things can. We become more beautiful when we overlook an offense, despite what our fallen nature screams at us. Exacting revenge not only robs us of our peace, it robs us of our splendour. Only feelings rule our hearts in moments like these, not glory. The wise, even in their anger, overlook an offense.

That means that we can surely have the chance to get glory today, for someone will certainly offend us. Tongue-in-cheek :-)

According to http://preacherstudy.com/premium/david25.html, to be a good leader, one has to learn to be big enough to overlook the offenses of others. The greatest leaders are not easily offended. Instead, they are big enough to overlook the offenses of others. They develop rhinoceros hide when it comes to the words of others. They show grace and practice the habit of overlooking offenses. They take the high road, give the offender the benefit of the doubt, and move on. If you do not, then you are not going to last long in the service of God. Sooner or later, someone is going to offend you, and that will shoot you down. This is especially if you have aspirations to do something special for God. And the best management style is servanthood - having the heart of a servant and lead by serving, lead by example.

I will try again God. Please help me God. 

* Note though that the justice may not happen in this life, but it should not be measured in this regard. What God "takes away", He gives us blessings in other areas of our lives, if we open our eyes and count them, and that in itself is also justice.

References:
http://preacherstudy.com/premium/david25.html
http://danisedelights.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/how-to-overlook-an-offense-bible-study-notes/
http://www.toddpylant.com/2011/11/08/wisdom-anger-overlooking-offense-a-meditation-proverbs-19-11/
http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38291&PN=1
http://www.frangipane.org/
http://www.freedomvictorycentre.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105&Itemid=121
http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001832.cfm
http://orlandograce.org/2011/04/the-glory-of-overlooking-an-offense/
http://michaelhyatt.com/why-leaders-cannot-afford-to-be-easily-offended.html
http://michaelhyatt.com/my-keynote-speech-on-dealing-with-offenses.html
http://www.kidsofintegrity.com/

How to Encourage Bible Verses Memorization for Toddlers?

I think it is high time I put more emphasis on Bible verse memorization with Joshua. The importance of Bible memorization could not be over-emphasized in helping a child to digest and hide God's word in his heart - also for myself.

I have however been neglecting this area and I would like to work harder on it. I have been unable to do so due to limited time, competiting activities (Montessori Practical Life activities, academic pursuits, physical activities, music activities, social activities, work commitments, etc. etc.) and the lack of planning. But this is no excuse. All other activities should not be taking higher priority than this all important work in a child. I have to re-focus and put the first thing first.

But how do I fit into a very tight and limited amount of time that I have with Joshua as a working mom? I found this extremely challenging. It is also equally challenging for me to find suitable Bible verses for toddlers and to remember to use it after finding them. I also wish there would be illustration accompanying the Bible verses to make it more tangible for young children.

If you are blessed to be a stay-at-home mom (which I wish I am), you could make your own Bible memory verses suitable for toddlers or search the internet for free resources. But I find that many such sites are hard to navigate, and very time-consuming. I sometimes give up half way through navigating them. But if you are a working mom, and face the same time constraints as I do, I think I have found a very good book called "ABC Bible Verse Book". I am really so excited about it!!!

Here are some ways that I could work Bible memorization in with this short and simple book:

1. Read a verse as a opening or closing for dinner time.

This would only take one at most one minute. A child's attention span at this age is at most three minutes. Thankfully it does not require so much of my time to incorporate such "lesson" into Joshua's christian development and academic education. I have to constantly be reminded of this, so that I am not over-ambitious with my expectations.

Here is an example of a verse and its simplicity:

2. Use the verse as discussion point during dinner.

I have been wanting to find ways to be more positive when making conversation, as if I am not self-guided and self-reminded, topics could degenerate to talking about work problems at the dinner table, making it very heavy-going and irrelevant for Joshua. I pray and hope to improve on this with the grace of God.

3. Stick to only one or two verses for the whole week.

I have the tendency to change lessons too fast and too soon. I need to remind myself that repetition works for toddlers and preschoolers. So I will try to stick to one or two verses for the whole week. I have read about how some toddlers only two years old are able to easily remember and memorize verses, when repetitions are provided.

Advantages:

The advantages of this book are:

1. It is a board book and perfect for toddlers to handle it without fear of tearing or damaging it.
2. It contains only one verse a page in very short simple sentence suitable for very young children.
3. It ties in with phonetic and alphabet learning, helping me to kill two birds with one stone.
3. It has very attractive and cute illustrations that appeal a lot to me.

Disadvantage:

There is some use of ye, thou, thee, etc. Some people consider this a disadvantage, but after using the book, I find that they actually make the verses rhyme better, making it easier to memorize.

I am looking forward to put Bible memorization back on track for our family with Joshua.

You can also get this book from Amazon:

Montessori Activity: Learning Number Recognition with Thomas-the-Train Number Puzzle

Printables from http://www.veterantoget.dk/media/1611/opgave4x.jpg

Age: From 3.5 years old

Objective(s): To teach number recognition and number sequencing concept in a fun way.

Materials:
1. Print 2-3 sheets this from http://www.veterantoget.dk/media/1611/opgave4x.jpg
2. Pencil
3. Eraser

Directions:
1. Demonstrate it on your sheet, saying, "Each dot represent one number. Let's try to connect the dots according from 1, 2, 3.... We start with 1. What comes next? Yes, 2. Can you find the number 2's dot?.What comes after 2?...

2. Invite your child to try on his own sheet. Mark his progress and try again on another fresh sheet if needed at another occasion.

Additional Information:
I am constantly interested in fun and varied way to teach numbers and Basic Maths. I happened to find this free resource from the Danish vintage train website. I think this may be too advance for Joshua right now, but he loves Thomas-the-Train. I will save it for future use.

References:
http://www.veterantoget.dk/media/1611/opgave4x.jpg

Nursery Lesson Plan: The Bible Is Right and True - 20th May 2012

Lesson Plan

FIBC Nursery (0-4 years old)

Date: 20^th May 2012, Time: 1 – 2.15pm

Concept Area: Bible – The Bible Helps Me Know the Right Things to Do

Bible Verses: 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 33:4 “…For the word of the LORD is right and true.”

Teachers: Elaine, Chen Ying and Stephen

12.45 – 1pm: Preparation Time

·         Teachers to arrive 10 minutes earlier to prepare and set up the room.

·         Bring a jug of water.

·         Mark Attendance.

·         Fill in Food Allergy Alert Chart for new children.

1-1.30pm: Early Arrival Activity Time

Activity Station 1: Reading Bible Story Foam Books (for children younger than 2 years old)

Activity Station 2: Making Bible Figurines on Popsicle Sticks (for children from 2 - 4 years old)

Activity Station 3 (Contingency): Colouring Letter B for Bible and Handwriting Worksheet

1.30 – 1.40pm: Bible Lesson & Story Time

Gather the children to sit around in a circle.

Bible Lesson

Do you know what this is? (Hold up a Bible)

This is the Bible.

The Bible is the Word of God. (Point to your lips)

Do you like to listen to bedtime story? Just like you like to listen to story, God has told His story in His word.

The Bible tells the story of God’s love for His people, about Jesus dying on the cross to forgive our bad behaviour and give us new lives.

The Bible tells us who God is.

We see God’s goodness and His character revealed in the Bible.

How do we get to know God?

We get to know God by reading the Bible and by praying.

God teaches us what is true through the Bible.

The Bible helps us know the right things to do.

Bible Verses: Psalm 33:4 “…For the word of the LORD is right and true.”

What does God says about His Word?

When we memorize God’s word, it will help us to do the right things.

Can you say after me, Psalms 33:4 “…For the word of the LORD is right and true.”

Bible Story: Daniel and the Lion

Today, we are going to read a story from the Bible from the book of Daniel chapter 6 with the Bible figurines that you have made just now:

Daniel loved God more than he loved anyone. Give yourself a big hug.

The king wanted Daniel to stop loving God. The king put Daniel in a cave with the lions so they would eat him. Can you roar like a lion? (Make hand sign for lion and make roaring sound)

God took care of Daniel. The lions didn’t hurt him. They played like they were big kitty cats. Say meow like a kitty.

You probably won’t meet any lions today, but whatever you do, God will take care of you. Show how God loves you. Give yourself a big hug.

Pray: Thank you, God, for taking care of me. Amen.

1.40 – 1.50pm: Singing

Use musical instruments, hand motions and songs as follows:

·         The B-I-B-L-E

·         Read Your Bible

·         Read, Read, Read Your Bible (To the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)

·         The Bible is God’s Word (To the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)

·         Jesus Loves Me

1.50 – 2pm: Snack Time

·         Ask the children to queue up.

·         Ask the older children to give out the cups, plates and rice snack.

·         Sing the “Say Grace Song”

·         Ask each child to recite: “The Bible is right and true.” Psalm 33:4

·         As the children to help to clean up before moving to game time.

2 – 2.10pm: Game Time (if there is time)

Game: The 10 Commandment Hopping Mat

Contingency Game: Run-&-Freeze

A great exercise for movement and body part identification in this version of FREEZE. Say, “RUN” and ask the children run freely until you say, “FREEZE”. After they are frozen, call out only one body part for them to unfreeze and move. For example, say, “Wave your right hand.” or “Kick your left leg.” The children will of course move other parts while doing the activities called out, but for the most part the rest of his body will be still. Start the fun over each time by saying “RUN” and then “FREEZE”.

2.10 – 2.20pm: Clean up Time

·         Clean up together and sing the song “Time to Clean Up”

2.15pm: Parents pick up kids

Resources & References:

- http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/files/BibleABC/bibleb.pdf

- http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/files/Daniel/BSPMinibookDanielLions.pdf

- http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/files/StoryFigures/DanielLions1.pdf

- http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/files/StoryFigures/DanielLions2.pdf

- http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/files/StoryFigures/DanielLions3.pdf

- http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/files/StoryFigures/SSNoah5.pdf

- http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/files/BibleVerseCards/Bible_Verse_Cards_Bible_color_Flash.swf

- http://utah4h.org/files/publications/publication/pub__1984425.pdf
- http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/TutorialBibleFigures.html
- http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/TutorialBibleminibooks.html
- http://lapbooklessons.ning.com/

J Summary (3Y2M) - Loves Strawberries

When we went strawberries picking when J was 1 year old, he gobbled up strawberries happily. From 2-3 years old, he went an about turn and gave me quite a hard time with fruits and vegetables. He just didn't like strawberries. We planted strawberries last year, but he didn't finish tasting one full strawberry. Now at 3 years old, he has found liking for strawberries again and are eating them happily. He is also happy eating raw carrots. It shows that as parents, we perhaps should not worry about the children not eating fruits and vegetables, if we have introduced them to him, when he is a baby. We just need to patient and one day, the prodigal son would return home to find the goodness of fruit and vegetables again.

He also likes banana, honey melons and can tolerate peas, broccoli and raw baby spinach. But I found a way around by hiding them in his super porridge every morning.

However, I still could not get him to eat tomatoes. For some reason, I just didn't introduce tomatoes to him, when he was a baby. And until today, he hasn't developed a taste for it. He still does not like avocado.

The 10 Commandments Hopping Mat

Objective: To provide a fun and active way for young children to learn the 10 commandments

Materials:
1. 1 dice
2. 1-10 homemade disposable number mats
3. Masking tape
4. 1-10 commandment flags. The following are child friendly version:

1. Love God
2. Don't worship other gods
3. Respect God's name
4. Rest on Sunday
5. Love your mommy and daddy
6. Don't hurt anyone
7. Keep your ways pure
8. Don't snatch someone's toys
9. Always tell the turth
10. Don't wish for your friend's toys

Directions:
1. The children take turns to roll the dice and jump the number of space indicated by the dice.

2. When the child stops, he picks up the respective 10 commandment flag, and the teacher reads it out.

3. The child rolls the dice again and repeat until he hops to the no. 10th commandment.

4. The next child's turn to roll the dice and hope.

Additional Information:
I made this game and hope to try it out at the next Nursery lesson.

J Summary (3Y1M29D) - Visit to Odense to See Thomas-the-Train

J is now three years old, and could understand what Thomas-the-Train is. Today, we travelled 170km or approx. 2 hours to Jernbane Museet (http://www.jernbanemuseet.dk/) in Odense to see the Thomas-The-Train, because we know that J would love it.

My friend and her husband, did the same, bringing their children there. We brought along our friend and her daughter with us. Her dad wasn't there, and I could see that he was clearly missed. He reminded me of my dad. I remembered how as a child I also missed my dad, when I saw other children having their dad around on excursions.

Another friend, whose wife could be in labour anytime soon, travelled this distance also to bring his son there, because his son loves Thomas-the-Train.

Over there, we met another friend, who also travelled the same distance to bring her children there.

I marvelled at how we parents would inconvenience ourselves to travel such long distance and spend  so much time on the journey, in order to bring our children to a fun place, because we know they would enjoy it. Such is the love parents have for their own children.

I remember my own dad and wished that he would have had the chance to do the same with us. He could not afford it, nor did he have the time. Apart from Chinese New Year, I had little recollection of him bringing us out for excursions. This was why Chinese New Year was so special and precious to me as a child, because that would be the only time in a year we got to go out as a family with my dad along. How I cherish those memories.

It also makes me more determined to spend time with J. I am glad that Daddy has the same wishes.

I also realize that it is a privilege that Daddy and I could go on regular excusions with J. It does come with a price - the sacrifice of career indirectly. The time you spend on your family also means the time you could not spend elsewhere, which means the time you could not spend on professional development, that would benefit your work and career and get ahead of competition. Today is a Danish holiday, but not for my workplace. The kindergarten is closed today. I took leave from work today instead, so that I can be off with the family. I could have hired a baby-sitter and go to work. I chose not to hire a baby-sitter, but took leave instead. It is a luxury that not many could afford. It is a choice that one makes. I am reminded that until the present day Daddy and I have been very blessed to be able to make such a choice and have the peace of mind to stick with it. We cannot guarantee what the future hold, whether we can still make such a choice, but as long as we can, we are grateful and we are grateful to God for today.

Montessori Activity: How Plants Drink Water

Age: From 3 years old

Objective(s): To give your preschooler a taste of Science

Materials:
1. 4 stalks of Anemone or other white flowers
2. 4 food colouring
3. 4 transparent glasses or vases half-filled with water

Directions:
1. Ask your child to add a few drops of food colouring to the water in the glass and stir it with a chopstick or teaspoon.

2. Ask your child to put in a stalk of flower.

3. Leave the flowers for a few hours or overnight.

4. Ask your child what he thinks may have happened during the night. To help him understand the concept, you can compare it to him drinking from a straw. Tell your child that the stem of the flower is like the straw.

Additional Information:
It is spring time in Denmark. The forests are carpeted with small white flowers all over. It is really an amazing sight... the beauty, peacefulness and simple joy that they bring when you stand in awe of their presence is a very special feeling. For a moment, it makes you forget all the problems, and simply imbibing in the sight, admiring the beauty of God's creation. What a gift it is to be able to experience this in person. It makes me count my blessings.

These small white flowers are called Anemone. They only come out at the very first sign of spring, before the trees sprout their leaves. And they last for about 2 weeks, usually between mid to end April. So we have to hurry in order to catch them in their bloom. When the tree leaves come out, they will crowd out and block the sunlight from reaching the Anemone, and these small white flowers will wither away as quickly as they came.

We have been wanting to go and see the Anemone in bloom, but we have been very busy with other activities. There is only last bit left, but finally we went to Geels Skov, a very enchanting forest near Holte this evening with Joshua. We could afford to let Joshua go to bed a little later, because tomorrow is a Danish holiday - Big Prayer Day -  and the kindergartens are closed. I have thus taken the day off from work.

We plucked some of the Anemone, before they wither away and brought it home for a little Montessori activity for Joshua. It was actually Florian's idea. Then I went to my Montessori book for inspiration on lesson plan. We put each of these small white flowers into four different colour water. Show it to Joshua and asked him to guess what would happen to the flowers, when he wakes up in the morning? He could not guess it. We told him that the petals will change colour. Joshua was very excited and requested to put these flowers near him, so that he could see them, when he wakes up tomorrow morning.

As with all experiments, you sometimes succeed and you sometimes don't. Fortunately we did this with a few flowers, and only the blue one succeeded. The other flowers were too tired to drink in the water. But at least we have one successful experiment. Next time, we have to go earlier in the season.

References:
- Teach Me to Do It Myself by Maja Pitamic

Geels Skov

Geels Forest is rich in oltidsagre, and a few places you can with the naked eye glimpse of the old high-backed fields. The woods consist of approx. 2/3 deciduous and 1/3 pine forest, operated with timber production and recreation in mind. Deciduous forest rejuvenated, except oak, solely by natural regeneration while coniferous forests rejuvenated by planting, usually after the harvest of old pine forest. The pine trees that are planted today are predominantly Douglas and larch.What can you see? The forest is pretty hilly. The soil consists of sand and clay that quickly alternates between the sites. The squirrels and the birds mostly live in trees, are commonly found.

The middle of Geels Forest Holtekollen stands out very clearly with its height and it was there we saw the anemone.

How to get there?

From Holte train station, you can get directly into Geels Forest, and from there take a pleasant stroll through the woods and finish at Virum train station.

Parking:

Cars can be parked in parking spaces at Vangebovej at Kings Road at the top of the Geels Tray or by Holte Station Avenue.

Mountain Bike Trail:

A new mountain bike trail in Geel Forest was opened in 2009 by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency. Here you can find the track:

http://www.singletrack.dk/component/content/article/68-sjaelland/261-mtb-geel-skov-lyngby

Public bonfires:

Fireplaces may be used freely. Bring your own charcoal or sank burn the forest floor. Turn off the fire when you leave the fire.

References:
http://www.naturstyrelsen.dk/Naturoplevelser/Beskrivelser/Hovedstaden/Geels_skov/