Seasons South and North

There Is Order in the Universe - the December Solstice

 
 

Today is the December solstice, the day of least sunlight in the northern hemisphere, the longest and sunniest day in the southern hemisphere. Children in both the northern and the southern hemispheres are perfectly aware of this difference from an early age. They all know and will grow up keeping the memories of summer days that last so long and winter nights that seem even longer. This is one natural experience that has not changed for people over the centuries. What we and our children do during those hours of extra light or dark may have changed radically, but not the fact that days lengthen and shorten cyclically.

This is order. This is structure. In a world where many adults are as confused as their children, and where chaos seems to lurk on every corner, where childhood is as frightening as it ever was, the ordinary movement of planets remains consistent, as well as beautiful.

Bring children's attention to the chnging amount of sunlight from this solstice onward into the new year. There is a French expression that, from this time the days grow longer by the length of a rooster's step per day. In the southern hemisphere, the days may be said to grow shorter by the same length, I would imagine. There is a baby steps and light/dark game in here somewhere.

The December solstice coincides with important holidays for a number of cultures. Holidays, especially the big ones, usually have traditions about food, and this can be used to help children understand the fact that, whatever their season, those in the opposite hemishpere are experiencing the opposite season. At this time of year in the norhern hemisphere, there is a lot of holiday baking going on: cookies, cakes,pies and tartes fill ovens and fill the air with delicious aromas. In the southern hemisphere, many families have the tradition of a great picnic feast for the holiday, with salads and barbequed meats and fresh fruits.

Have an Opposite Hemisphere Party

If you live in the southern hemisphere, bake cookies and mince meat pies with the children. One batch of cookies can be decorated half in chocolate, to symbolise the solstice. As you swelter in the double hat of oven and summer,  try to imagine snow on this December day.

If you live in the northern hemisphere, make a picnic of cold chicken and sandwiches (I do not think much fresh fruit is available) and potato salad. Bundle up and go outdoors to eat it if it is not too cold, and imagine those in Australia or Argentina playing in the hot sun this December day.

Use the globe to remind children of the earth's movements around the sun creating the seasons and help them to understand that the cycle repeats eternally.

©2009 Anne Morddel

Seasons South and North

Slowing Down in Winter

 
 

In the northern hemisphere, it is late autumn moving into early winter. Winter is a time of rest, of quiet, for some animals, of hibernation. 

Would our children know that? They live, for the most part, in cities, protected from the extremes of weather. We have power to keep us warm when it is cold, to keep it light when it is dark. Families race to skiing holidays or beach holidays at all times of the year. Children watch television and play electronic games at all hours. Yet our bodies follow still the rhythms of nature. We are more tired and grumpy when we have to move about in the cold and the dark; we become ill more easily when we are tired and cold. In many ways, we are living at odds with our physical world. Helping children to understand seasonal changes and how they affect us may help them to relax and accept certain changes in themselves, as well as those around them.

The Bear's Life

The bear is the star example of a creature whose life follows closely the seasonal changes. By following the bear's life through the year, children can learn about the seasons as well as nature.

Craft Aspect - Back to the Felt Board

Using this fine silhouette from Karen's Whimsy, with thanks, cut out a large felt bear:

 

 

Consider if you want it to be brown or black, as relates to what once roamed where you now live. Then, cut out from grey or brown, a large cave into which the bear can fit. You may wish to do another bear, curled in sleep.

Teaching - Repetition

When I was a schoolgirl of about eight or nine years, I had a teacher named Mrs. Doctorman who, every single morning, made us stand beside our desks and sing brightly:

Good morning to you! 

Good morning to you!

We're all in our places

With sunshiny faces

And this is the way

To start a new day.

Because we were young, we accepted it. In later years, I thought it was tacky beyond belief. In truth, it worked. She smiled, we smiled, and everyone got down to their tasks. The Bear's Life can be just such a morning repetition, focusing on what the weather is and what the bear would be doing. Encourage the children to pretend to eat lots and lots and LOTS of berries when the bear would be storing energy for the winter sleep, to stretch and pat their places when the bear would be settling down in the cave, to put their heads down and snore when the bear is hibernating. Do not do all of this in a morning, but in phases over many mornings. 

Extend the Teaching

If possible, visit a zoo's bear enclosure many times during the year to see how their behaviour changes. 

Read bear stories about real bears' lives, not those with bears acting like people. We have put some suggestions in a list in the column to the right: A Few Good Books About Bears.

This activity should go the year round, for only then will children, especially city children, gain a deep understanding of nature's changes.

©2009 Anne Morddel

Seasons South and North

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