Enter into the wonderful world of insects and animals with lovely stories!♥♥♥
These lessons attempt to present natural science to the youngest readers who are from the ages of 4+. This version is a reproduction of a valuable and classic book published in 1895 that from the collections of Standford University Libraries.
The subjects of this series of lessons are mainly insects or other animals as the children may observe for themselves.
The forces of nature are personified and each object of nature studied is placed in its proper relation to its environment, thus making a story that is enjoyable not only to small children but to those "grown-up."
It is hoped that such readers may become interested, while children, in the abundant life about them, and that when this interest is gratified by learning of the wonderful lives and habits of these "little people," respect for all life may be inculcated.
It is desirable that children acquire such feeling for lives weaker than their own, that they may never give unnecessary pain to any creature and never take a life except in self-defense or for some other very good reasons. A child thus trained to feel for the lower forms of life cannot fail to be more considerate of his own kind.
By interesting children in the wonderful ways of insects, it is hoped that the timid, fearful children, who scream if a"bug" happens to come near them, may become less fearful and find pleasure where they once found only pain. Let them learn that in most cases these insects will do them no harm, if unmolested. Let the children see that it is possible for us to learn much about insects or animals without hurting, or even touching them.
The purpose is to discourage the study of any animal at the cost of its life, or of giving it pain. If the animal cannot be kept in the school-room with a home and comforts reasonably like its own, it should not be kept at all. The children may be led to a search and observe it in its natural environment. That is the place to study life.
From the book:
"...Children, did you ever think how much your mothers do for you?
They give you good things to eat, clothes to wear, and help to make a pleasant home for you.
Let us look at some of the very "little people" about us.
See how these little mothers take care of their little ones.
Here is a picture of a little mother..."
"...Do you see me?
See my four beautiful wings!
See my big bright eyes!
Some little children call me a snake feeder.
That is not my name.
I have nothing to do with snakes.
I am a Dragon Fly. I am a dragon to little insects..."
Some of the reviews:
"The child who is endowed with the spirit of observation learns for himself a multitude of things which forever escape minds that are indifferent and incapable of observing."
"Properly presented, no lessons are so interesting and attractive to children as those which deal with living plants and animals; and none are more effective in the cultivation of habits of exact observation, accurate comparison, and sound reasoning."
"It has been well said that teachers can in no better way train the perceptive faculties of the child than by teaching him to observe carefully the operations of Nature, but such observations should be intelligently guided under the direction of a skillful teacher... The child at first studies those things that delight his senses, such as flowers and the pleasanter forms of vegetable life, animals, the most attractive minerals, and the most common forms of insect life."
Pick it up now to enjoy endless time together with your children!