Page 1 - Kind News, Jr. Parent Guide May/June 2023
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Parent Guide






                                                                                MAY/JUN 2023


                                                                        Teaching kindness while
                                                                         helping to instill good
                                                                       reading habits in children.



                                                                                BOOK NOOK
          KIND TIME


                                                                            The Animal
          The heat is on! In this issue, we investigate how
          warmer climates are affecting animals, from                       Adventurer’s Guide
          Yellowstone National Park to the mountains of New                  Written by Susie Spikol
          Hampshire. As children and pets prepare to enjoy                   Illustrated by Becca Hall
          more of the great outdoors, we review tick prevention
          basics. Students will meet a young Humane Hero who                  Recommended for Grades K-4
          reads to orphaned kittens, learn the why behind                     Discover how to prowl for an owl,
          whiskers, and read about a very special pet pigeon       hum to a snail, or let your fingers trace the
          who went from lost to snuggle-buddy!                     footprints of a wild animal in this beautifully-
                                                                   illustrated guide. Filled with 50 hands-on activities
          SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITY                                    for everyday wildlife encounters for families with
          TRY THIS AT HOME!                                        children, readers will learn to watch closely, blend
          CASEL CORE COMPETENCY: SELF AWARENESS, SOCIAL            in, and find things animals leave behind, like
          AWARENESS, RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING                   footprints, teeth marks, and (her favorite) poop!
          To go with “What Climate Change Means for Wildlife”:             About the Author: Susie Spikol has been
          After reading the article, ask your child what the word          fascinated by wildlife since fireflies lit up her
          climate means. Why are some moose getting more ticks             childhood. Now, she helps people of all ages
          on them? Discuss the work of a naturalist. Why would             connect with the wild creatures of our
          someone in that job pay attention to changes in weather          everyday world. She says that it’s the small
          and climate? Does your child think they would be         things in nature “children can hold, touch, or lay down
          interested in a career like that? Why or why not?        next to and watch closely” that open their hearts. A
                                                                   naturalist at the Harris Center for Conservation Education
            Then, have your child go to a quiet spot outdoors with   in New Hampshire, Spikol is the recipient of New
          a notepad or journal. Let them sit and observe. What do   Hampshire’s Environmental Educator Award. Her writing
          they hear? What do they see? What do they feel? Children   can also be found in Northern Woodlands and Taproot
          can jot down or draw their observations. After doing the   magazines and the “Backyard Nature” column in The
          activity, discuss with them how being outside in nature   Monadnock Ledger Transcript.
          might have affected their mood.                          THE ANIMAL ADVENTURER’S GUIDE  © 2022 BY ROOST
            Show them our resources on animal careers              BOOKS; AUTHOR PHOTO CREDIT: AMANDA KOWALSKI
          (KindNews.org/animaljobs) and have them take our
          animal career quiz at KindNews.org/animal-career-quiz.
          What animal job interests them the most? Why?

                                                                   To access an interactive version of this issue
                                                                   online, visit KindNews.org. Check out our
             A PUBLICATION OF                                      recommended book list at RedRover.org/books.
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