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Cool tiger!
What I've found time and again, when storytime comes along, you gotta inject fun into the learning. Children are keen to learn and if we do some things right, we've got them with us - eyes, ears and mind open for as long as they're with you.
More so, this time when I've a 'mission' to accomplish. Earth Day is round the corner and together with over 100 bloggers, headed by the King Monyet, we're zooming in on ' Save Our Tiger' in our special Tiger Blogfest 2010. I had the privilege of 2 sessions with some kids in the MBPJ library and Times Bookshop , all within an hour each. Big task? Yes, but like they say, chunk it and for the young kids, keep it simple.
Truth be told, the kids fear the tiger for all the stories they hear. But then, there's a part of the story missing . Exactly why do tigers kill humans. What's the underlying reason/s for tigers to leave their habitat and create havoc? And what about Man's irresponsible acts of poaching tigers. For the young ones, this information is something new. Unheard of! I could sense some uneasiness to know that the tiger falls prey to man's bad acts.
To get to the core of the important message, I made up a simple song for all to sing.We sang about the Tiger Is A Cat to the tune of The Farmer In The Dell. Simple, catchy and easy to sing -along. Thumbs up for the Tiger - Save our Tiger ! screamed the kids. Here are the lyrics:
The tiger is a cat (x2)
Hi ho the derry o
The tiger is a cat
It lives in the jungle (x2)
Hi ho the derry o
The tiger is a cat
Hunted by Man (x2)
Hi ho the derry o
The tiger is a cat
Killed by Man (x2)
Hi ho the derry o
The tiger is a cat
Eat the tiger? NO! (x2)
Hi ho the derry o
The tiger is a cat
Save the tiger? YES! (x2)
Hi ho the derry o
The tiger is a cat
The tiger is a cat (x2)
Hi ho the derry o
The tiger is a cat
Then, it was time to settle down to a beautiful story Tigress by Nick Dowson, illustrated by Jane Chapman. Well, not before I encouraged the children to growl their best to kick off a tigerish start. Would you have guessed? A little 5 year old wanted to be a tiger alright and that got the bigger kids going. So, altogether, we growled!
I love the excellent text. It brings into focus in the 32 pages so much to know about the tiger without wordy prose. How is it possible? Well, the high standard of illustrations go hand in hand with the text so beautifully. I gathered from the children's attention that what misgivings they had of the tiger , it was slowly shedding away. On and off, at various points, I brought their attention to the similarities of the domestic cat with our wild cat - in nursing their young, their mother's ever tender loving care, and the way the mothers carry their litte ones in their mouths, nary hurting.
Tigress takes the children from the cub stage to adult independence. The young tigers at 18 months will have to find new homes for themselves. With excellent brevity, it comes to a lovely ending as the majestic grown tiger seeks its own life in the jungle. I certainly recommend this stunning , nature storybook to parents. Such a lively book to get to know about the tiger and familiarize its behaviour.
Have fun with a juice carton - a tiger lives there!
Tigress at play and work!
I brought along a craft - tiger, of course! Out of recyclable juice cartons, the kids made their own hand puppet tiger. Very soon, the tiger earned its stripes!! - all lovingly from torn strips of black colour paper and then glued. The 2 sides of the carton were used to to write messages FOR the tiger.
Parents too can play - kids learn tons through play
Some parents were around and I really appreciated their presence. For the fact that it is bonding time and they are fully aware of what a session like this can reap the benefits of informal learning through play. Talking about play. Initially the kids were shy to don the masks. Me, big tigress took the lead. Then, shyness was lost and we had roaming tigers!!
Will our tigers be able to roam free in the jungle? The answer lies with with each and everyone of us. Ignorance is not bliss if we are to save our tiger for now and posterity. Yes, the kids need to know and love our tigers .
As a storyteller and a parent, I say besides the general public awareness campaign, let's invest in our kids. Granted, some are too young to know the implications. But when the love of nature, also our heritage is planted, it will only grow through the years. Storytime 's over but the knowing and learning has begun!
My friend, the tiger
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Keats, this is purrrfect. Congratulations. You are at your best (as always). Tiger is a cat and "we" love cats. Thank you Keats for this wonderful, cheerful, meaningful post.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance is will not be bliss cos the bliss will not be there for our future gen if we don't help 'em tigers.
ReplyDeleteReally meaningful post girl-wld be really happy if go thru mine too!
ReplyDeleteGood activities to raise awareness about endangered Tiger. Way to go for the Year of the Tiger....
ReplyDeleteWhat a great event. I agree, it's important to instill a love and respect for nature in children.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a lovely book - I love Jane Chapman's illustrations.
Yay for the tiger!!
ReplyDeleteI was born in the year of the tiger. GRRRRRRR!!!!
Ah! I am so afrad of Tigers especially those with the orange and black stripes. Even in my dream, I dreamt more of tigers than lions...lol.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteOcean Girl,thanks so much! am purrring here:))glad you alerted me about this blogfest for me to join in - more voices to speak as ONE!
AJ7, awareness is important and then we act, hopefully
rashmi singh, thanks for dropping in. will be visiting you too.
Pete, definitely the year of the tiger has to mean much more to us.
adrienne, thanks! do hop over to King Monyet's blog and check out the participants.I think you'll hear the 'tigers' roaring loud and clear!! Over 100 of tigers but stay calm, ok??
jeReM_Wacker1217, thanks for dropping in. We need support from as many people as possible.
Veronica Lee, tigers rule - me too!! GRRRRR!
alicesg, i'm also afraid of the tiger but it will not harm us if we leave it alone. Unfortunately, it is Man who is hurting and killing tigers. Poachers are always looking for 'valuables' on the tiger - skin, tail, you name it, they want it :((
Keats, I have enjoyed reading your entry. Look forward to reading more from you.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice of you to instill the wildlife awareness in children at such a tender age! Like the tiger carton art, would like to make it with my girl if you don't mind! Please have a nice day ahead!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteMonyet King,beribu thanks for initiating this BlogFest. Hopefully more tigers can live and sleep peacefully in the jungles.
Alice Law, please do try out the craft with your daughter. It's simple to make. For the whiskers, you can try various things like the 'lidi' - it will be stiff. I made neat holes in the paper and shoved the lidi in. I'm sure new ideas will pop up when you're at it. Enjoy!
Looks like a fun craft to mix with story telling for the children. My daughter is an adult but we used to have fun doing arts and crafts as well as making up stories together when she was growing up. Thanks for your visit to my blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's very kind of you to share the idea! Thanks alot, we are planning to give it a try this afternoon! Have a nice day to you!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteCarver,thanks for visiting too. Looks like mothers know best:))Making up stories is quite a challenge too. My nephew in Leiden always asks for this kind of stories and his father has to make them up almost every night! Little one remembers repeats too!!
Alice Law, my craft is for sharing - so go right ahead!
Wow!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post about tigers
(Grandfather from Kareltje ...... LOL)
Thanks for sharing this with us
Its amazing :))))))
I like the song !!!!
Wonderful contribution to save the tigers heritage. I always love to see and read about your inspiring activities. Have a great week, my dear.
ReplyDeleteExcellent work with our young ones, Keats! I love the juice carton tiger -- he looks fierce yet cheeky! I do agree that we have to inculcate a love of animals and nature in children as early as possible. I have yet to do my Tiger Blogpost. I am doing research as though for a postgrad thesis! Maybe it's time to lighten up?
ReplyDeleteYes, you did it again - great, very important posting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
BLOGitse
Looks like a fun event for the family, and a great way to instill some important information to all..Tigers are magnificent animals and if we can protect them for generations to enjoy, it's all worth it.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteAnya,thanks so much! let's sing the song together!! Clap and sing, LOL!
Rosidah Abidin, the list of contributers to this blogfest is increasing - do check them out at King Monyet's blog. Bloggers to the fore for our tiger!thanks for your encouraging comment.
~Covert_Operations'78~,like the saying goes, 'sikit sikit jadi bukit'! (little by little to make a hill). All the combined efforts by citizens will surely bear fruition for conservation. Keep hearts and fingers crossed.
BLOGitse, great to see you.Hope you're settled and having nice little discoveries in Casablanca. thank you, we want our tigers to live!
Icy BC, I agree absolutely with you - protecting them is our duty. Have a good day!
Good initiative! Let's keep the tigers (and the whales, and the pandas etc...) alive for future generations to marvel at.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, interesting art!~
ReplyDeleteVisiting you on Earth day as I reached your site at #103. Nice to play with the children, they enjoy they learn.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck.
Hi
ReplyDeleteShingo T, it's a commitment.let's hope our initiatives will sustain.
prince n princess mum, thanks for dropping in! appreciate your comment.
d'enricher,thanks! appreciate your visit on Earth Day! Kids enjoy play - that's what they do best!!
Beautiful post and thanks for highlighting this. We are going to Cameron tomorow for some 'cool' weather. Happy weekend Keats.
ReplyDelete