Just like in the movie “UP,” balloons were the catalyst we needed to take our experience to new heights. became irrelevant. It was an activity that felt comfortable with or without words as we focused on the activity. We challenged ourselves to see how many we could keep in the air all at once, while always forgiving each other when we missed. Like magic, once again, we had tapped into the virtue of humanity and connected to something deeper through our shared joyfulness. I have since tried to think of other games to play but we always come back to balloons because it is so much fun and no one seems to have yet grown tired of the game. I realize now that it’s not so much what we do together, but how we do it together. I look forward to living out this new view of volunteering with my children. As they get older, I believe that this type of heart work will help my children fulfill their need for “being with” and “being like” in pro-social ways that enhance positive mental health and encourage tolerance and compassion. For now, however, I love the fact that volunteering can be fun and synonymous with play, all the while fostering unity and nursing the seeds of character.
2016 Child Care Award of Excellence for Leadership: Lexie Biegun
September Registration for our 3 to 5 year program opens February 1 Reggio-Inspired programs Nurture through Nature Infants/Toddlers/ Pre-Kindergarten On 2 acres in the forest!
Photo: Tashamae Cline Photography
children, but I must admit that even I had grown bored of our routine. We were “doing to” instead of “doing with” which felt somewhat hierarchical and disconnected. How could I recreate the same feelings we discovered that afternoon at the Bocce field and bring my children out of their heads and into their hearts? Just like in the movie “UP,” balloons were the catalyst we needed to take our experience to new heights. All we did was toss and catch balloons together and in doing so, age, missing teeth and wheelchairs
“In every walk with NATURE one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
www.lexieslittlebears.ca
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Janine Fernandes-Hayden is an educator and mom of four children. She is a trained Virtues Project Facilitator and also works for Volunteer and Community Resources on Saltspring Island. IslandParent.ca
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