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Dear Friends,

Perhaps it is because children are always on my mind that I see everything, everywhere with children in mind. Last week, I was at the Farmer's Market in San Francisco and I saw a lovely jar filled with small dried rose buds. They were just beautiful to look at and the smell was delicious. At first, I thought just having them out on a table in a small bowl for children to feel and smell would be delightful and then I remembered the mortar and pestle work that every child likes to do. They love to grind dried corn and herbs. Of course, I bought the jar filled with roses. It only takes a moment of watching the children crushing the dried flowers, smelling and touching them, to know how right lovely things like this are and how deserving of beautiful experiences children are.

When we talk about children learning through their senses, we often forget about the sense of smell. I believe if you blindfolded children and took them for a walk through the school, inside and outside, they could tell where they were by the smells -- especially the bathrooms, you say?

A good friend from Louisiana gave me this next tip. Run to a beauty supply store and buy as many "Heel and Toe Callus Smoothers" as you can afford. Next, buy some cinnamon sticks, whole nutmeg, whole cloves, star anise and as many other whole dried spices as you can find. The children rub the spices on the smoother, and the fragrances are wonderful. And, they love the dust they create, too. You can an emery board, if you like, but itseems much more difficult for the children to use. The callus smoothers have a handle that makes this process easier.

We have several mortar and pestles that we purchased at our local hardware store. One of them is wood, another is made from stone and we have a smaller marble one as well. They require a bit of effort on the children's part and it reminds me of the phrase, "children working hard at work worth doing." Aside from the sights and sounds and smells, I know the children are also attracted by the opportunity to use "real" tools. Compare this mortar and pestle experience with a "scratch and sniff" version. I am continually pushing myself to provide as many real and authentic experiences as I can. As soon as you can, make your way to a Farmer's Market or to the neighborhood hardware store and just browse with your children in mind. I am planning a trip to the Fish Market soon to fetch a geoduck for the children to examine -- but that's a story for another time.

Love, Bev Bos

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