How a Garden Helped me Introduce my Family to Canadian History!

While millions of parents worry about the summer slump, I gotta say, I just let summer be summer y'know? Luckily, the world conspires to teach my kids stuff anyway. This year, the family - including our beautiful American niece Della - learned about Canadian history... in the most beautiful garden! 

Truly the Mosaiculture (running for a second year in my home town in the National Capital region) is a gentle and gorgeous exhibit that features the provinces, territories and stories of Canada. From a beautiful Anne of Green Gables (made almost entirely of grasses and succulents) to the Native Canadian Mother Earth - caring for the Canadian landscape and its creatures - the kids were completely blown away by our walks through this sacred space. 

As ever, Canadian diversity and Native Canadian history featured prominently and the kids actually would shout out when they knew a Canadian story connected to one of the pieces! Mostly, though they had no real idea that they were "learning" anything and isn't that the best way to learn? 

We were blessed to share this summer with Althea's very dear friend Hannah every Monday and a special visit from cousin Della meant that even though we mostly "staycationed" - it felt like a very exciting season! 

Hoping you guys did a lot of completely ignoring the summer slump to really learn some new and amazing stuff too! The next few entries will be all about gearing up for Fall so take a peek at the Fall semester below: 

8 Weeks in Fall

$96.00

The Seasonal Lessons are designed to help you spend more quality time with your little one exploring the arts and nature. All Seasons are digital purchases which provide lifetime access to a secure, members-only section of the Artsy Startsy web site. 

This Season Includes: 

• 8 Weeks of Lesson Plans
• Lesson guidelines to give you options for how to enjoy the lessons with your little one
• A daily rhythm calendar to help you integrate the lessons seamlessly into your days
• A series of nursery rhyme activities
• Seasonal book selections
• Nature walk themes and related questions to ask your little one 
• Nature journal prompts
• Virtual explorations of natural environments or phenomena
• Art activities related to a particular artist or period in art history
• Virtual galleries to complement your art study 
• Open ended easel starters to get your little one's creative juices flowing
• Digital audio or videos of classical pieces of music by famous composers
• Listening games or homemade instruments to make with items found around the house
• Digital audio of orchestral instruments 

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