I Love You to the Moon and Back: Library Notes

This uplifting and positive book is by Amelia Hepworth and illustrated by Tim Warnes.  The colours lend themselves to pencil crayon drawings although I think using chalk on a blue or black background would be effective too. Drawing snow drifts or mountain peaks, the moon and the bears would make for a beautiful activity to go along with this book. As another option, water paints or oil pastels would make incredible patterns just like the aurora borealis (northern lights)

As a side note, Noah carved a bear for Christmas from soapstone. It is beautiful but also very soothing to hold onto. I would recommend soapstone carving as an activity with carving soap being a backup activity that would be fun to try.  I will add a picture soon!

As we learn how a bear shares her love with her cub in this board book, we can also find free things to do with our child(ren) to spend time and enjoyable moments with them. Splashing in the water, watching the patterns in the sky, going for walks in nature and more are all excellent options. It is so beneficial just to be present with our children and take time to go through the day together.  I hope you plan more of this in the new year. Time spent together is an excellent demonstration of love.

What does it look like to show love? The bears touch noses, play chase, see friends and cuddle. How will you show your love?  Reading books together? Building lego creations? Playing board games? Making meals together?  The key is to be together doing things that are enjoyable to both of you.

There is a book called The Five Love Languages. It is not for children but the concept is that people each speak a particular love language and so when you want to build a relationship with someone, it is important to discover that language and communicate with them in a way that is meaningful for THEM. For example, you maybe put a lot of thought into gift giving and carefully selected and wrapped the item you thought was perfect for a friend and they gave a quick thank you and put it aside, asking you to go for a walk to look at lights. Their love language is quality time and yours is gift giving. Not receiving a gift it return might feel like a slight whereas they may think the walk was the best gift to give because experiences matter more to them than things.  Perhaps your mother asks you to come help by drying the dishes after she washes them (Acts of Service is her language) but you are reluctant because she never says thank you or praises you when you do good things. You want Words of Affirmation.  Praises would motivate you more. The fifth language is Physical Touch.  Maybe you don't need a lot of affection but your child craves hugs and tickles.  They won't thrive without it even if you give them a ton of gifts and go places with them which you think is the best ever.  They may believe you love them but the love doesn't resonate as deeply as when it matches their primary love language (they may have more than one). So when you love your child or a friend or family member, consider who they are and show them love in a way that is meaningful to them. It is powerful.

Loving them to the moon and back is just a phrase to say it is a huge amount of love that is hard to measure.  This is an important phrase as it speaks to the depth of love you have which is awesome.

I hope you all take time to enjoy each other and find ways to show your love to each other in the new year!



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