Early Childhood Education: June 2009

The Sacredness Of Summer

By Anne Neuberger

Summer weather pulls us ‘outward’, as we spend more time socializing with friends, neighbors and family, traveling, along with a myriad of outdoor activities. It does not have the ‘pull’ towards reflection and prayer that Advent’s dark and quiet atmosphere offers.  Still, summer is sacred time, as all time is. How do we combine this inclination to turn outward with a sense of God’s continual presence?

Use the abundance of flowers, vegetables, fruits, insects and leaves of summertime to help children see the sacredness of God’s created world in a variety of activities.

Read a beautifully illustrated version of the Christian creation story. Then help children begin to see God’s ‘handwork’ in the world around them.

Look for as many differently shaped leaves as possible in a confined area. Don’t forget bushes, flowers and weeds as well as trees! Marvel at the variety in shape, size, color (how many shades of green do you count?)

Touch trees and compare the colors and textures of the bark.

Another day, look for seeds. Maple trees’ ‘helicopters’ are fun, but do the children realize each one carries the possibility of another tree? What kinds of seeds do evergreens have? What about marigolds, sunflowers, etc.?

Attend a farmer’s market. Are these lettuces different from the ones in the grocery store? What kinds of fruits grow in your area? Can you find different colors of potatoes? Smell different herbs.

Sow  lettuce seeds in a window box. Keep a chart of when the seeds germinate, and measure them for height. Learn how to thin seedlings, and how to make a salad with your produce.

Dig for worms. Talk about how they benefit soil. Look for insects in the soil and on the sidewalk. Show interest (not squeamishness!) in these amazing, tiny creatures. Bring in children’s books on insects.

In June, many nurseries have sales on annual plants. Have children plant flowers in pots,

And all the while, remind the children that all this is God’s gift to us. Do this simply by saying, “Look at the beauty of this leaf! God is such an artist to have made this!” “Thank you, God our Creator for all this!” “I wonder why God decided to have the robins kind of hop when they walk and ducks waddle?”

Your reward for this will be twofold: you will have the great pleasure of enjoying nature through the eyes of children, and you may come to feel the sacredness of summer yourself!

Visit Anne Neuberger's web site! www.anneneuberger.com