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Kate Westerlund came to writing and adaptation late in life. Find out how she made her dream of becoming a writer come true.

1. If you didn’t write as a child, then when did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I came to writing rather late. I did like inventing stories as a child, acting out television screenplays,(my courtroom dramas were very Perry Mason) and always enjoyed creating musical extravaganzas in my room.  I was not one of those kids, however, that said, “I want to be a writer.” Actually, I remember wanting to be an ice skater, a ballerina, or a singer in musicals or opera. Once when I was grade school age, I sang the Sempre Libera, from La Traviata so loudly while in the bath that my parents came running, confusing my coloratura for cries of pain.

2. How do you choose the topics for your books?

Choosing a theme seems to come from another part of my brain. I have to do a lot of ruminating to get the story going that way. As this may be due to a lack of experience, I have started doing small writing exercises to practice working that way.

3. What’s your age range?

I have to date, only done picture books but am working on several projects for other age groups.

4. Where do you get your ideas?

I never seem to be short of ideas but taking those ideas and working them into good stories is, of course, what it is all about. I keep lists. I have a list of first lines, last lines, clever names, and a list of titles that pop out of nowhere. Usually, the things on the lists have no connection to anything, but I am learning not to let any of them escape.

5. Have any of your stories been inspired by real people or events? What inspires you to write?

Sometimes I’ll see something on the news or read about it in the newspaper and think, “Ooh, there is a story in there.” I think I am so clever but when I research a bit, I find that others too thought it was a great idea. At least I am in good company and it still goes on a list because what I might have to say about it at some point is probably very different than what others have said. Children inspire me the most.

6. Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?

Research and imagination seem to work together for me. I am always checking, verifying, rethinking bits and pieces of all stories, but fiction, thus far has been more interesting.

7. Do you work on more than one book at a time?

When I was a student I used to do my homework on the floor, books fanned out in a half circle in front of me. I would work on one subject for a while and when I felt myself disengage, I would move on to the next subject. I would go round and round till I had finished everything. It is definitely not a system for everyone. I spent years hearing complaints about not staying focused and not finishing what I started, blah, blah, blah… But I was focused and I did finish, just in a different way. I do that somewhat with projects, but I have to be careful to recognize the difference between disengaging and running away from a spot in a story. Sometimes, I just need to write through it or around whatever is in the way. When I start thinking dusting might be a good idea, however,or ironing, I know I am in trouble.

8. What are you working on now?

I am working on a concert story with a composer friend and I’ve almost finished the first draft of a collection of stories for my publisher. There is a novel waiting, no nagging to be worked on and an opera libretto sitting on the back burner.

9. Are you signed exclusively with a publisher? Are you self- published and how does that work for you?

I was very fortunate to meet Michael Neugebauer of minedition. Minedition is a small international house that creates beautiful picture books. I have done all of my picture books with him. I have also had the chance through minedition to translate a number of amazing books from German to English and have also adapted several books from wonderful Japanese writers/illustrators as well. I have learned a great deal about writing and publishing this way.

10. Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?

I write something every day. I get up very early so I can keep the outside world at bay and concentrate on the world of my stories. Some days I am more successful than others in what actually gets accomplished, but if I don’t write something at my computer, I am lost in thoughts that never get properly articulated.

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Translating and adapting

Translating is a delicate balancing act. Integrity and respect are things that I strive to maintain. There is the linguistic aspect, of course, and the cultural integrity that must be preserved. An Austrian author told me once that my translations of her work were like putting her words in another musical key. I have always remembered that.

As literature for children becomes more global; it shouldn’t be homogenized. What would be the point? It is the very differences that we should be sharing. Translations must seek to capture that essence.

Adapting can be different. To me it is re-telling the story. It has the spirit of the original with a touch of the storyteller.

 

About Kate Westerlund

Kate was born in Florida, but travelled and moved a great deal with my family.

She has degrees in humanities and education and started studying voice when she was fifteen. She has taught music and English in school, sung in musicals and operas and has helped to run a summer opera program.

She has come to believe that if we let it, fantasy and imagination can enrich our lives and can endow us with an enviable resourcefulness and a wealth of creative thinking. She has learned much from the wisdom of children.

Kate Westerlund has lived in Salzburg, Austria with her husband for over 20 years.

 

 

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Christian Children’s Authors Piscitelli and Gortier Talk About Their Creative Process

 

Donna: Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview with you.  We both just love your website.  You offer such a refreshing and inspiring view of the world.

 

1. Did you write stories when you were growing up? at school? Or at home. As a hobby? As a young child, or as a teenager, or both?

Donna:   I did write as a child.  I began when I was still in elementary school copying my favorite poems and story passages into a spiral notebook that I took everywhere.  And I committed these passages to memory.  Even today, 40 years later, these memorized passages spring to mind at unexpected moments.  In middle school, I moved from copying and memorizing, to mimicking in my own writing what I liked in the writing of others.  I didn’t know it at the time, but I was doing what all writers do – I was journaling.  I began making my own observations about people or places or events that moved me, and I wrote about them, learning to use words to evoke feelings in others.  To this day I journal.  Sometimes it is random thoughts.  Sometimes I journal to respond to a moving homily I hear at church, or to an article I read in the newspaper, a beautiful sunset, or any other topic that moves me.

Rosemarie:   I was an ardent fan of Lois Lane and Brenda Starr. I wanted nothing more than to be a newspaper reporter! My

friend and I used to make up stories to write. I was paid  for an anecdote published in Readers Digest when I was 12 years old and thought I had made the big time. I submitted two more anecdotes and never heard back, so I stopped submitting. While I was in Nursing School I wrote the majority of our yearbook, putting a short, descriptive poem under each picture and a narrative synopsis of our three years at school. Then as a new mom, I amused myself by writing humorous poems about things I didn’t like to do or if I had a cold–ie. An Ode to Dirty Dishes

and A Code in da Node.

2. When you were a child did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?

Donna:  I can’t say there was a single moment when it occurred to me that I could be a writer.  I know that by the time I was in high school I was writing plays and stories and poems, and I hoped to go to college to learn to

write.  It was an evolving dream of mine.  More a passion.  First was the need to write.  It was later, after college, that the desire was born to have my writing read by a wider audience than my family and friends – hence the journey into the world of publishing.

3. How do you choose the topics for your books?  What’s your age range?

Rosemarie:  The topics for our books were chosen because we both had a need to say what we felt. Our first book, Little Acts of Grace, was written for preschool children as a result of our desire to afford children of today the comfort of knowing, believing in and praising God. Donna wanted to share her thoughts about Mary, the mother of Jesus. So we wrote Just Like Mary, also for very young children. Our third book, The Mass Book, was a suggestion from the publisher and targeted second graders.

Donna:  When Rosemarie and I began writing together, our grandchildren were in preschool.  Our books have grown up with our grandkids.  As for how we choose what to write, sometimes I think our topics choose us.  Rosemarie and I are co authors, but our third partner is God.  We truly feel our topics are inspired by Him.

4. What kinds of things inspire you to write?

Rosemarie:  Love inspires me to write. I write about people I love, people who love, and the places and memories I love. I am inspired by the joys and sorrows of everyday life.

5. What gave you the idea for your very first book?

Rosemarie:   Donna and I met by accident–or Divine intervention– at a church dinner. We had each been on a Pilgrimage, compared notes and soon found that we had very similar thoughts and a desire to write from the heart. We talked about little things we did as children.  In spite of the difference in our ages, our memories, beliefs and feelings were so very similar. So, we wrote about how little actions displaying love for God would please Him just as little acts of love and kindness please people. And–we went on from there to create a series of books for children.

6. Have any of your books earned special recognition?

Donna:  Our 4th book, Living the 10 Commandments for Children, won 2nd place in the children’s category for the 2008 North American Catholic Press Association.  That was a real thrill for us.

Rosemarie: This same book has also been printed in Lithuanian at the request of a priest who enjoyed it while in America!

7. Have any of your stories been inspired by real people or events?  What inspires you to write?

Rosemarie: Most everything I write is inspired by real people or shared life experiences. I notice that in Donna’s work also. Her love and compassion shines through her words. The book she is self publishing at this time emphasizes pre teens respecting and caring about others —social justice.  Icky, CeCe and the Mysterious Mr. Thuan is due to be released at the end of November.

8. Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Donna:  I think this is sometimes one of our strengths, and a potential pitfall.  While Rosemarie is a focused writer, I tend to work on more than one topic at a time.  As a result, I am slower in brining any one project to fruition.  I tend to write in response to an inner calling.  Rosemarie is the disciplined one.

Rosemarie:  Donna and I get a chuckle out of the fact that our Myers-Briggs Type Indicator results are on target. I seek closure on each project before beginning another. Donna is comfortable beginning several projects. I believe we complement each other with these opposite characteristics. I speed her up on each project and she slows me down to make sure our words are what we really want to say.

9. Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?

Rosemarie:  It’s a tossup between The Beatitudes for Children and The 10 Commandments for Children. I learned a lot as we wrote about current life in relation to God’s teachings. My favorite adult piece was the story of the unexpected death of my granddaughter on the day my son came home from the Gulf war. That writing was therapeutic and helped me resolve her death. It took 2 years to write.

Donna:  For me, my favorite book it is definitely Just Like Mary.  Written for preschool aged

children, this book helped me answer a question from when I was a little girl.  I was always told that Mary, the mother of God, is to be my role model.  I couldn’t understand how to do that.  But writing this book helped me answer how we all can be just like Mary.

10. What are you working on now?Donna:  We have a couple of projects we are working on.  We have two children’s books:  one on Purgatory, and one on Priests.  I am working on a series of middle grade novels.  And we are experimenting with developing one of our books as an animated book for an ipad.

11. Are you signed exclusively with a publisher?  Are you self published and how does that work for you?

Donna:  We have not signed exclusively with any one publisher, but to date, all of our children’s books have been published by Our Sunday Visitor.  That has been a wonderful relationship we hope will continue.  I am also currently working on self publishing my middle grade novels.  I am working on a series of 4 middle grade novels, each one which addresses a different issue related to social justice:  homelessness, the plight of the refugee, etc.  These books will appeal to that segment of our population who embraces conservative values.  As you know, this is a small, niche market.  So I have ventured into the realm of self publishing.  I am working with an editor who has some experience in this area and feel confident this is a plausible way to go.  With the help of social networking, Amazon and e-bay, marketing the books has become, while not easy, certainly possible.

 

12.  Do you do school visits, if so what question do children ask you most?

Rosemarie:  I love doing school visits! Last year I read to a pre-school in Northern Virginia and had a wonderful time with 4 year olds.  Last week, I read snippets from Little Acts of Grace 2 to the Kindergarten and 1st grade classes. They were a great audience, wanting to participate as well as listen. I also read A Really Scary Time to 3rd and 4th graders. We sang the World War ll songs from the book. Donna and I have had opportunities to speak to children and their parents at PTO meetings in the public school and at a Military base. We both enjoy talking to adults and to children.

Donna Piscitelli lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband Steve.  They have four children and ten grandchildren.  Donna has been writing and publishing children’s books for ten years, and is currently working on publishing her first middle grade novel.  She has worked in the field of education for 32 years and has been a teacher, a counselor and an adminstrator.  Donna and Steve are both active in their church.

Rosemarie Gortler lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with her husband Fred.  They have five children and seventeen grandchildren.  Rosemarie has been a nurse and a clinical counselor.  She and Fred are active in their church.
Your may find Piscitelli and Gortier’s books on Amazon by clicking here.

 

 

 

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Finding time to do what you love is important to Allyn Stotz. Allyn balances her work as a children’s author with a full time career in another field. Find out how she makes it happen!

1. When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I wrote a little bit when I was a child  but I never really thought of becoming a writer until I was an adult. What inspired me was really strange. One day I was reading my brothers blog. He was just playing around and making up a fantasy story. I thought he was really good and thought “Hey, I could do that!” So I sat down, started writing a fantasy story about something we used to play as kids and I haven’t stopped writing since.

2. How do you choose the topics for your books?  What’s your age range?

The age range that I find the most enjoyable to write for is 4-8 yrs. old. They are still so imaginative at that age and in love with learning new things. They also say some of the funniest things! As far as how do I choose topics for my book, it’s all up to how I’m feeling on any given day. If something inspires me, then I write about it.

3. What kinds of things inspire you to write?

All sorts of things inspire me. If I hear a child say something funny, I’m inspired. If a co-worker tells me something hysterical or unusual that their child did, I’m inspired. If I see a movie or TV show where something amazing happens, that inspires me as well. Reading other books also inspires me. The world is full of inspiration; you just have to be open to it!

4. Have any of your stories been inspired by real people or events?  What inspires you to write?

Yes, A lot of my stories do contain something about a person I knew or an event that happened in my past. I once wrote a story about two little old ladies who lived next door to us when I was growing up. They were very sweet ladies but a little on the unusual side because they had never been married, lived in a little white house, and had hundreds of salt-n-pepper shakers all over the place. They left a great memory in my mind so I just had to include them in my story writing.

I’ve also written quite a few stories about pets I’ve had or currently have.

5. Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Oh yes. I don’t know how smart or good that is, but I’m usually working on at least four or five stories at a time. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming but I find that I am constantly coming up with new ideas and just have to get them on paper. However, when you are working on so many stories at one time, it tends to prevent you from completing any one item, therefore it slows you down from getting things completed and out the door. I need to work on focusing on one story at a time!

6. Are you signed exclusively with a publisher?  Are you self -published and how does that work for you?

I am signed with FutureWord Publishing for my book The Pea In Peanut Butter.

7. Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?  Where do you write?

Yes, I write or do something with my writing every single day. There is so much involved with writing that it’s nearly impossible not to be involved in it every day. However, sometimes I spend more time marketing, blogging, and doing administrative things that my total time in a week actually writing is probably only four hours. It just depends on what I have going on and what deadlines I have.

I don’t have set hours to write because I also work a full-time job elsewhere. I have to fit my writing time in around that.

I do some of my writing at work in between busy times, and at home on my laptop in the evenings and weekends. I have a designated room to do that.

8 .Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?

My book has only been published since June 2011 so the word is still getting out about it. However, I once received an email from someone whose children read my book. She said it’s their favorite book at present and they keep trying to memorize the beginning of the book which reads:

I love the super duper, gummy yummy, sticky lickin’, and belly rubbin’ taste of peanut butter. If Mommy would let me, I’d spread it on hot dogs, fish sticks, chips, and pancakes. I’d eat it on bananas, grapes, apples, and frosted flakes.

And to me, that is what it’s all about for me. Knowing that a child smiled and enjoyed my story!

9.  Who was the first character you ever created and why?

I don’t remember the first character I ever created because it was back in grade school. However, I do remember the first PLACE I created. It was a land of nothing but peanut butter. And surprisingly, my first published picture book, is about peanut butter as well! Hmmm, guess it’s a no-brainer that I love peanut butter!

10. Is there anything about yourself that you’d like to share – hobbies,where you were born, special talents other than writing/illustrating?

I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan but was raised in Edgerton, Ohio. When I turned 22 or so, I moved to St. Louis with my husband. From there his job has transferred us to Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and back to Louisiana where we currently reside. I have many other hobbies. I read a lot, dabble around with stained glass, do interior decorating, and at work I do a lot of graphic design type things.

Find out more about The Pea In Peanut Butter on Amazon.com!  Or visit Allyn at www.allynstotz.blogspot.com

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The Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program teaches the children of Naudain Academy, a Montessori school, about “The Hidden Treasure” – being grateful

Voorhees, New Jersey – The children of Naudain Academy were excited to learn about The Hidden Treasure today and as they discovered the next Secret Of The Heart. Students had several guesses before Stephanie Pelly, the program facilitator, revealed the secret. “Is it love, friendship or sharing with your friends?” they asked.

Stephanie slowly drew the the word gratitude from her special container. This was a new word for most of the children, so she explained that gratitude means being thankful. She also explained that being grateful is showing appreciation for people or things in your life.

The children were excited to hear the story from the Young Masters Little Wisdom book,  The Hidden Treasure. They began to understand that while it’s wonderful to receive gifts, the true gift is being thankful.  They discussed the many things for which Butaan and Phylos were grateful for in the story and after the story they shared all for which they were grateful as a class.

Then Stephanie passed around a red gift box and told the children that there was a wonderful, amazing, awesome, super, fantastic and great gift inside.  In fact it’s the greatest gift.  She told them they could all have a chance to peek and see it, but they would need to keep the gift a surprise until each person discovered the gift themselves.  One by one the gift box was passed as each child took a peek inside.  She repeated, “thank you for being here, you are a gift!”  as one by one they each looked inside the box and saw a star mirror and  – their own face looking back at them.  Some children got it right away… some took a moment to realize that they are the gift.  It’s who they are and all that they can share with other.  Some were a little confused and didn’t see themselves as a gift, so after each person had a turn Stephanie asked, “So what is this wonderful, amazing awesome, super, fantastic and great gift?”  One little boy raised his hand and said, ” Each one of us is a gift to the world!”  “Exactly,” Stephanie said.  “We can share our smiles and friendship with people every day! We each have something to give. Something for which to be truly thankful.”   She then asked the children to share some of the gifts they can give to others.  Immediately they chimed in, “friendship, imagination, love, kindness, sharing and playing together.” “Yes, all the secrets of the heart,” said Stephanie.

 

Stephanie then told the children she was going to use her imagination to give each child a gift.  One child said, “we learned all about imagination in the book The Magic Eye.  They remembered.  She went on to tell them that  in order to receive the gift she was giving them, she would need to use her imagination… and so would they.  One by one she pulled out “imaginary gifts”  and placed something inside each child’s hand or around their necks or once in awhile I even rolled a special gift to a child.  Every child said “thank you” and said they were grateful for their gifts.  One child said… “I know what my gift is, a baseball.”  Another child said, “You gave me sparkles.”  “My gift was a mircophone!” “I got a telescope.”  “I got a necklace.”  One child pondered long and hard and might still be thinking about what his gift really was.  “You can think about it while you’re in bed tonight, ” Stephanie said, and added, “I gave you each my love with your gift…and that’s the best gift.”

They sang “Circle of Appreciation” and had fun playing a game where the students got to point to all their different friends during the song.  They loved this song and game.  The lesson ended as they passed  around earth ball and shared the many gifts they earth gives to us.  “Something for which we are are very grateful,” said Stephanie, “to be on this beautiful Earth with our families and friends.”

Stay tuned for the next secret of the heart and the continuing journey for these very fortunate Young Masters at Naudain Academy.

See what wonders are happening at Naudain Academy.

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This Little Light – The Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program teaches the gift of love to students at Naudain Academy, a Montessori School

Vorhees, New Jersey – The Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery program begin with the Young Masters pledge as a group. “I promise to use my gifts everyday, in every way, for I am a Young Master.” Several children wanted to say the pledge by themselves or with a friend or two. They took turns.  One of the youngest girls, said the pledge all by herself with no help. Stephanie heard a child say, “What’s today’s gift?”  Each week Stephanie pulled a Secret Of The Heart  out of her cermaic gift box.   “Oh,” she said,  you mean what’s today’s Secret of the Heart?….well…”  Imaginary drum roll……as she reached in and pulled out the word LOVE.

Stephanie explained to the children that in this week’s book Young Masters:  This Little Light, that Butaan, Phylos and EEtha  share the gift of LOVE with their family, friends, teachers, pets and even the earth.  Since today was the last day for a while, she wanted to honor each child in a special way.  They read the book and then shared some of the music.

For the activity, one at a time, she asked each child to sit on a chair in front of their classmates.  They were invited to, if they wanted, wear Stephanie’s special red heart-shaped glasses.  The children took turns saying three things they loved about their friend.  A few things the children said were  “I love when she plays with me outside!,”  or “I like the way he makes me laugh,”   Children even gave compliments, like, “I like your hair or I love your shirt!”  One little boy sat in the chair for his turn and said, “Can my friends say five things they like about me?”  “I guess he loved hearing kind words,” Stephanie said, admitting she is truly entertained by the honesty of children.

Today each child was presented a special certificate for being a Young Master and completing the Little Wisdom Discovery Program.  During the past six weeks, the regular teachers have told Ms Stephanie that the children were always very excited to learn about the Secrets of The Heart – Friendship, Imagination, Gratitude, Courage, Creativity and Love.  It’s been a remarkable and memorable experience.  One they will never forgot.

As the class ended each child put their hand on the hearts and said, “I AM A YOUNG MASTER!”  Then they all shouted PEACE!  “Yes, you are,” said Stephanie. They all closed their eyes and sang Thank You For Being Here one last time, with Ms. Stephanie.  “Always remember to use your gifts,” said Ms Stephanie, “you each have special gifts to share with the world.”

Before she left, she noticed all the YOUNG MASTERS books and CDS are in the classroom library.  One little boy commented, “I like to sit at my desk and listen to the books on the CD and look at the pictures of Butaan, Phylos and EEtha.

“It’s been a very rewarding time,” said Stephanie, presenting this program.  “Now off to the next school and a new classroom of Young Masters.”  Join us for Stephanie’s continuing Little Wisdom adventures.

Stephanie Pelly is co-creator of the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Curriculum and conducts the program at Montessori Schools throughout New Jersey, New York and surrounding areas.  Contact us to find out how Stephanie can conduct the program at your school.

Download your complimentary copy of the Young Masters Little Wisdom Curriculum today!

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Dream A World® Excels At Montessori Conference in San Francisco – Special opening ceremony appearance by Bunny Hull

San Francisco, CA – This past weekend Dream A World’s founder, Grammy Award-winner Bunny Hull was featured at the opening ceremony of the American Montessori Society Conference in San Francisco as she performed Peace In Our Land, the title track from her award winning album and book.  Supported by 150 children from Northern California Montessori Schools, the event drew over 3,000 conference attendees from around the world and t00k place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel near Union Square.

Dream A World® celebrates a successful week as they exhibited their award-winning books and music, including the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Curriculum created by Hull and Stephanie Pelly, a Montessori specialist in New Jersey.  The curriculum and books are used in Montessori schools.  This exceptional character education, values and life skills program, also used in public schools, is based on the Little Wisdom books and music and teaches children they’re born with gifts to share with the world – these gifts are called the secrets of the heart.  Hull and Pelly provided a pathway of understanding about programs methods and goals as they shared links to parent involvement and building classroom community.

Executive Director of AMS, Richard Ungerer thanks Bunny Hull, Founder and Executive Director of Dream A World

This week the books and curriculum were purchased by Montessori Schools from around the world including it’s adoption by Ambassador Schools – Montessori in Saudi Arabia and a Montessori school in Shanghai, China, where there are plans to translate the curriculum for use in additional schools.  Dream A World® is making a deep mark in the world of children’s education with this program and the Secrets of the Heart Arts Residency curriculum currently a huge success in Los Angeles area schools.   “I am deeply touched by the commitment of these incredible Montessori educators I connected with in San Francisco and heartened by their reception and comments about our work,” said Hull.  The Young Masters Little Wisdom movement is on the rise!

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Naudain Academy students learn they have the Heart Of A Lion. Lessons for young minds from Young Masters Little Wisdom Curriculum for Montessori

Voorhees, New Jersey – A class of enthusiastic students from Naudain Academy, a Montessori school, continued on their journey to self-discovery this week via Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program as they learned about the next Secret of the Heart – COURAGE. Stephanie Pelly, the program facilitator began by reading Young Masters: Heart Of A Lion. “What does courage mean?” she asked. Immediately one little girl proudly offered her bright reply. “Courage means you are feeling confident!” “Courage is being brave,” said another.

In the story Heart Of A Lion, which introduces EEtha as a new character in the series, Phylos is afraid to cross the river.  He has his reasons, but friends EEtha and Butaan offer their support and encourage Phylos to believe in himself, after all there’s a first time for everything.  The children loved that Phylos faced his fear and tried something new.  They also learned, in the most simple way, that it’s our perceptions that sometimes create our fears. Phylos thought the water would be over his head, but in reality it was only ankle deep.  He ultimately discovered his fears were unfounded.

“Sometimes our fears,” said Stephanie,”keep us safe. If the water had been very deep perhaps Phylos would have needed to learn how to swim first. So fears are not bad to have, they can warn us that there is something we need to know. And sometimes we can learn to have courage and face our fears. Have you ever been afraid of the dark?” asked Stephanie. “Maybe we take little steps to over come our fears like, turn off the bright light and sleep with a night light and then take another step to turn off the night light and sleep with a flashlight next to the bed. And before we know it we don’t need a light at all, because we realize there was really nothing to be afraid of.”

“Have you ever been afraid of anything?” asked Stephanie. One girl shared she was afraid of heights. Stephanie suggested climbing a little higher every day and to ask a teacher or parent to stand next to her when she climbs for extra support. She really liked that idea. “It’s good to ask for help and little by little we can face our fears,” said Stephanie.

For the lesson Stephanie rolled out a mat.  She asked the children to pretend it was water, a river like the one Phylos was crossing.  She then placed “paper rocks” on the mat with words written on them that said “I believe in myself, “I can do it,” “I am brave,”  “I can ask for and receive help.”  One at a time the children in the class crossed the river and as they stepped on the rocks they read the empowering statements out loud with confidence.  “Great job,” said Stephanie.

Today, once the lesson was finished they listened to the songs on the Young Masters:  Heart Of A Lion accompanying CD. Hey Young Masters and The Heart Is Very Smart are two of their favorites.  Each lesson the children love concluding by singing Thank You For Being Here.

Thank you for being here to read about how Naudain Academy is changing the world.  If you’re interested in using the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program at your Montessori school.  It’s free for a limited time by clicking here.

Stay tuned for more adventures in learning .