It is Reconciliation Week and a great time to tell stories from Aboriginal culture to all Australian children.

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I began to write a storytelling idea at Easter about an Easter egg hunt on a picnic, but for various reasons it wasn't finished in time. However, stories can often be changed to fit different occasions...

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Bushfire stories and activities

The news is all about bushfires at the moment and if you live in a bushfire area it is important to involve children in your plan of action. It is not only people who live in areas at risk of fire, but also families on holidays who have needed evacuation to safety. Storytelling and play activities can be useful ways of giving children facts and safety hints about fires. Here are some play activity ideas:

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It is the first day of summer today and a good time to think of wildlife both big and small, from insects to elephants, It is time to think of where they live and how they are coping with drought and bushfires, Children love animals and making stories for your children about animals familiar to them is a wonderful way to communicate facts and instill a love of nature.

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Despite the drought this spring there has been our usual wonderful

wattle and around town the established blossom trees are coming out.

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In June and July children are often sick so here is a story to tell them.

WENDY IS SICK

It was a cold rainy day but when the rain stopped Wendy asked,

'Mummy can I go out to play now?'

'Yes, if you put on your jacket and beanie.' But Wendy didn't listen.

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Winter arrived a few days ago. Sitting by the fire on a winter evening is a great time to cuddle the children and tell stories.

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This picture of Easter chicks comes from Pinterest.com

An Easter Picnic

Here is a story that you can play with the children in the backyard or you can really go to a park or into the bush.

‘We’re going on a picnic, an Easter picnic today, Let’s take our favourite toys with us. We might find some Easter eggs on our picnic too.’

‘Here is the picnic basket. Let’s take some fruit, and sandwiches and drinks.’ (Children will select food and put it into a basket. It may be real, or toy or a mixture of both).

‘Now bring your toys because they love going on picnics.’

‘Let’s sing a song as we go along.’ (Adapt the rhythm of the game We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to sing or chant the following verses)

We’re going on a picnic,

We’re going on a picnic,

We’re going on an Easter picnic today.

We’re going on a picnic,

We’re going on a picnic,

We’re going to find some Easter eggs,

Some Easter eggs today.

Tell the children to leave their toys with you while they search for Easter eggs and other treasures when you reach the chosen spot, but no eggs will be found at that stage. They might collect autumn leaves or cones or stones etc. while you spread a rug and put out the food,. Call them back to eat their food. The egg hunt will be after the food is eaten.

Hiding the Easter eggs you have secretly brought can be done in several ways.

• Hide them in the opposite direction from where the children were hunting
• Get the children to make a nest or a number of little nests from grass or leaves and sit their toys in or beside the nest or nests
• get the children to race to a distant point. While they are running put an egg in the nest/nests with the toys, to be found when they run back
• hide an egg container while the children hide their eyes then help them to find it
• Choose some children to hide the eggs while the others count
• Another idea that you have thought of.

The story can finish with the children

• talking about the eggs
• counting them
• carrying then back home
• playing egg and spoon races and eating the eggs.

A possum in a tree or in a book is cute and cuddly, but possums in my life get into trouble when they investigate homes and shops.

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Animal Stories-chickens

Animals fascinate babies and children and stories about them are popular. They are great for teaching children many things through watching, listening, touching and smelling.

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