In our case tonight, it was the egg. Let me explain…
How does learning happen here? It does so randomly most of the time. I’ve tried having a plan, but I’m not a home school mama so I definitely don’t have the discipline many amazing mamas do. I’ve tried setting up planned activities, but they rarely work out. I’ve tried keeping a schedule, but it doesn’t really happen. I used to chalk it up to my lack of knowledge, my technique, my inexperience… But it was simply that I wanted it too hard. So now learning happens naturally in our home and when it does, it is truly wonderful…
A few weeks back, I wrote about having found fresh quail eggs at the local farmer’s market. The farmer had suggested that we let the eggs age 7 to 10 days to make them easier to boil and peel. So we did just that. So earlier this week, the eggs were ready and the whole family stood around the boiling pot excited to try quail eggs (some of us for the first time). Little Miss became entranced by the size, color and delicate nature of the tiny jewels and just reveled in the slow and prudent process of peeling them. Did I mention that peeling eggs is like her favorite thing in the kitchen right now?
She had been eating one for breakfast almost everyday until today, when she asked to bring her egg to school to eat for lunch. You can imagine the other kids’ curiosity at the strange little spotted blue shelled shape coming out of her lunch box. But when it came time to explain what a quail was, she really couldn’t do it. Beside knowing it was a bird, she couldn’t recall much else.
So she asked to learn about quails tonight :
We looked them up together…
We colored them by candle light…
We hung our art and discussed it…
And we found them in one of our books and read a Buddhist Tale about Team Work and cooperation…
I’m thinking “all things quail” isn’t really on any preschooler curriculum, but it works for us. Letting them take the lead, letting them take you on an adventure, giving you a little glimpse of the vastness of their minds… To be a parent truly is the greatest gift.
Good night everyone…
Family, Faith, Food and Fabric 
I adore quail and use to have them here on my land, Napoleon and the Josephines.
Following rabbit trails of interest are always fun and exciting. Enjoy.
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Thank you… I remember seeing wild quail for the first time when I was in Arizona years ago… Such adorable little creatures. Tonight was definitely a fun evening. 🙂
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I love teachable moments like that! We saw quail eggs at the winter farmers market last year (or was it the year before) and had a similar experience. Grace adores Quail and I have no doubt will own some someday! xo
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That would be sweet… I wonder if they are harder or easier or the same as chicken? I know they are not as cold tolerant so I,m thinking for us at least, it would mean a lot more serious over-wintering… Hmmm… I may have to look into that! 🙂
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What is that book? I want it! 🙂 I adore quail and yes we have lots and lots of them here in AZ.
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The book is called Buddha at Bedtime. (http://www.amazon.ca/Buddha-Bedtime-Tales-Love-Wisdom/dp/1844836231) They are wonderful children stories about applying the virtues of the Buddha in your everyday life. There is a follow-up book for older children called The Buddha’s Apprentice at Bedtime (http://www.amazon.ca/The-Buddhas-Apprentice-Bedtime-Compassion/dp/1780285140/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0WM9D1CHX7H5F71BGKKY). Two of our favorites here… 🙂
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We have that book, love it! We have another one too, called Nightlights, similar idea to Budha at Bedtime. Have you ever steamed your eggs instead of boiling. You don’t have the wait at all. We take fresh eggs from the hens and steam boil them the next day, and they peel no problem at all 🙂
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Oooh! I will add that book to the list. Thank you. 🙂
I’ve never tried steaming : How long do you steam them for? I will try that for sure cause when we get our day fresh eggs from a near by farm, we always have issues with peeling them. Thank you for the tip!
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What a great way to learn! Following the children’s interests is fun, and the information sinks in… We had a lengthy peacock phase in our house; lately we’ve learned about black holes! I love her drawings, as ever.
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Oh, peacocks would be one for her as well I think. She just loves animals. She wants to work at a zoo one day she says. I think it is so lovely to see their interests grow as they mature… Black holes, now THAT is a subject fit for learning. Lots of stuff there! 🙂
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I am not or never was a homeschooling mom and I do not have littles anymore(my youngest is 20) but Sounds like a great way to learn-at their timing and interests at the time. Have a beautiful day!!
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It truly is… we get so sucked into the pressures of doing things a certain way… But life just isn’t always made like that.
Have a beautiful day as well, thank you for stopping by!
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both of my children loved to learn that way. My son would spy a bug, we would look it up (in books, no internet invented those early days….) and my we would color drawings, pin them up, look for other bugs. Never ending but so much fun!
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Never ending is fine with me. I’m 40 and still want to learn everything about everything… an eager mind is a wonderful gift from Heaven!
xo
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The very best way to learn, so much more meaningful, they are such amazing sponges at that age and interested in everything.
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I agree… the retain so much. Even some stuff we don’t always want them to sometimes. LOL!
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I absolutely love this. Right now Panda is fascinated with snow so we are following his lead and learning about snow.
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How fun. Little Man (for now) is not a winter boy. Being outside is like pulling teeth 9 out of 10 times. But right now, he is all about putting things into things… He walks around with “containers” and tries to fit everything he can into it. The house is in absolute chaos, but it’s so worth it! he is so cute…
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I love your adventures in learning with the kids. They mirror ours somewhat. We are totally a child-led learning team. 🙂 I also have never tried quail eggs, but gosh, they sound delicious!
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I really think it’s the best way to go. I’m always amazed at how much they learn even when your are not “trying to teach”… My daughter started walking around the house adding the other day. Counting out fruit on the counter, cups on the table… it was amazing to watch!
Yes, quail eggs are amazing and great for liver function… helps with your immune response in winter. And ids can pop them in their mouths whole. Always fun!
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hi there (over from Kim’s blog)
i am able to connect to this post entirely, because it’s exactly how we learn. interest-led, eclectic…. quails! love it.
what is that book at the end. the story sounds lovely and the illustration is beautiful. i’m not buddhist but can relate to many teachings (taoist leanings myself)
http://www.inkandchai.co.uk/
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Welcome! Thank you so much for stopping by. Looking forward to heading to your space after. 🙂
We are not Buddhist per say, but Tao practitioners and our teachings study many scared texts including the words of Buddha. But I think this book is an amazing book for any faith. It truly is about developing amazing virtues in today’s world. It is titled Buddha at Bedtime : Tales of love and wisdom. Our copy is falling apart we have read it so much. You won’t be disappointed if you look into it. 🙂
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We had a female and male quail here on the acreage this summer (and maybe babies! who knows). It was very neat to see them on a regular basis, I managed to get some photos too.
We have Buddha at Bedtime and LOVE that book.
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If you like the first, you should get the second “Buddha’s apprentice”… great for kiddos getting older. Kim suggested Nightlights from the same series. We ordered it last week! 🙂
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