Southwest Children's  Literature

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Baby Learns About Time

I shared Baby Learns About Time with 3- to 5-year-olds at a Flagstaff Public Library story time. I read the English text, and a Navajo reader read the Navajo text. The children (and parents) were mesmerized by the Navajo reading.

After the reading, I led a coloring activity about time. I spread out crayons and gave each child a piece of drawing paper with a sun stamped on one side and a moon on the other, and I asked them to draw something they do during the day and something they do at night on the respective sides of the paper. The Navajo reader participated in the coloring activity, giving the children (who don't interact with Navajo people in their daily lives) the opportunity to interact with him casually.

Some children found their picture ideas after helpful questions. ("What do you do when the sun's out? Do you play with your friends?") Some seized the opportunity to let their creativity fly.

Hailey's daytime drawing

During the day, Hailey smells the flowers.

Hailey's nighttime drawing

At night, she sleeps in her bed.

Cassidy's daytime drawing

Cassidy walks her dog when the sun's out.

Cassidy's nighttime drawing

She sleeps under at night in a bed with a ladder.

Ethan's nighttime drawing

For his nighttime picture, Ethan drew an anteater brushing its teeth.