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When the grandkids and I are working on crafts or activities, I love to take that time to discuss, chat, learn, and engage with the kids. The kids are in deep concentration, with crinkled brow, and eyes on their project, and with no other distraction so the opportunity to talk is ideal. We usually receive each other’s undivided attention without the noise from tablets, television, telephones, and video games. Occasionally we might also have a little background music from our popular playlists and we sing along as we are working on our creations.
One craft we recently completed was a colorful patchwork elephant named Elmer. The craft can also be accompanied by reading the book, “Elmer” by David McKee. I bought two versions of the Elmer the Elephants Book; one was a picture board book for younger children and the other was a story appropriate for early grade school. We read both books during our craft time.
I then gather our craft materials and instructions (once again kudos to the Imagination Tree on Pinterest for this craft idea Milk Jug Elmer Elephant Craft – The Imagination Tree), and we were ready to start. The craft was simple: We glue multi-colored strips and pieces of tissue paper to a cut milk or water jug, add some eyes and ears, and Voila, introducing Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
As the kids are working on the craft, I read the Elmer story, as I show them the illustrations, and we talk about each page. The story is about Elmer, the Patchwork Elephant and how he felt sad because he was different from the other elephants and felt like he didn’t fit in. The rest of the elephant herd loved and accepted Elmer for who he was, his sense of humor, and his differences. Elmer just had to find out on his own, that it is a good thing to be different and unique in your own way.
When the kids were finished with their crafts, we let them sit and dry and we chatted once again about the differences in all people and how those differences make everyone unique in their own way. We then talked about “bullys” and how sometimes there are those bully type kids who feel the need to pick on, tease, or name call others because of their differences – whether it be skin color, physical appearance, social differences, etc.
I explain that these differences are the patchwork of our beautiful world which is why it is so wonderful. Can you imagine if we were all the same? How boring!
Finally, the kids took their completed crafts and actually played with them. What I thought would end up being a craft sitting on a shelf for decoration, became a mask, costume, a marching band, and a singing instrument. I hope the kids can remember that they are part of the patchwork of the world, unique in their own way. I pray that they learn to be accepting of the differences and uniqueness in others.
Until next time Warriors!
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