• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Lil Bebe Academy

Helping Home Child Care Providers Thrive

  • Our Play School
    • About
    • Welcome To Our Play School
    • Mission & Philosophy
    • Program – Mixed Age Learning
    • Registration Fees & Offerings
    • No Openings Available
    • Disclosure
  • THE BOOK
  • Consulting
    • Speaking Engagements
    • Home Child Care Audience
    • Home Daycare Operations – Where to Start
  • Activities
    • Creative Learning
    • Science
  • Nature Play
    • Nature Play
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Activities / The Dead Drunk Bird – Children’s Conversation

The Dead Drunk Bird – Children’s Conversation

September 30, 2022 By Lil' Bebe Academy Leave a Comment

On a beautiful warm Autumn day – as with most days in our play-based homeschool – we spend our time outdoors, exploring, learning, and discovering.  Today was no exception, except on our traverse, we found a dead bird.  A beautiful brown bird with a yellow tip tail.  I spotted the bird while walking with the four children in tow.  I stopped, looked in the grass near the sidewalk, and saw a lifeless bird with a large fly resting on top of it.  I beckoned to the children signaling a stop.

I cautioned them against touching the bird, fearing some disease or the unknown (the Windex advertisement of a bird flying in the window came to mind, but the bird was not near a house). We observed the bird from a distance – not precisely very far but not so close to the dead bird.

Some of the conversations that ensued –

  • “What do you think happened to it?” –  Miss Sue | “I don’t know!” – said the children.
  • “What got the birdie?”
  • “Is the birdie dead or alive?” – Miss Sue | “It’s dead!” – said the children
  • “Why is he dead?” – the children.
  • “Maybe it’s sick?  Who are predators?  We could try and find out?” – Miss Sue.

We walked, but the query lingered, and the ‘poor birdie’ sound filled the air. I realized the children were still wondering.  I motioned for us to go back; I wanted to hear more they had to ask or talk about (we circled back).

  • “He has claws – Oh no!” – said one child.
  • “He’s flat!” – said another child.
  • “Why is he dead?” – echoed the children.
  • “We don’t know why it died.” – said Miss Sue.
  • “We need to take it to the bird hospital!” said one child.
  • I asked what’s a bird hospital and one child said, “It’s a nest.”  Then another child said, “it’s like a house; a bird hospital is like a house!’

The children were extremely concerned, and their dialogue continued all the way home.

During their nap, I researched the bird and realized these birds eat a certain berry that causes them to get drunk and lose their bearings, thus slapping into trees, windows, houses, bricks etc.  How can I help the children with what we observed?

We have many birds in our backyard and the neighborhood – however, we’ve not seen a bird like that before.  We often see birds in our neighborhood –  Robins, Chickadees, Sparrows, Hawk, Doves, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Canary, Vultures, Crows, and Redwing Black Birds – seeing the yellow tip of this bird was a first for me.

A complete lesson can be built from this observation – an emergent curriculum.

  • We can investigate more about the kinds of  birds in our neighborhood
  • Why did this bird die?
  • What is a bird hospital – that’s more inquiry from a statement a child made.
  • Who is a bird doctor?
  • What were the colors of the bird?
  • The size differences of this bird to others we see (compare / contrast).
  • The feather size – we have collected many feathers during our walks, and the collection of feathers is ideal for adding to this inquiry.
  • What food do birds eat (we’ve fed so many birds they already know that, but it’s worth hearing and learning more).
  • Why did the berries (after gaining the knowledge of what made the bird sick) make it sick or confused (Instead of using the word drunk – confused, dizzy, clumsy, or couldn’t see may be appropriate for their age)?
  • Do all berries make birds sick?
  • What color berries do you think made it sick?
  • How many berries did it eat?
  • Is the bird family also sick?
  • Do humans eat berries?
  • What time of year do the berries get red or orange? (season)
  • Can you draw the bird? (representational drawing).
  • What was the position of the bird? (On top of the grass, lying down, sideways, wing position, etc.)
  • Children ask many questions – they are intellectually very curious; I love our dialogues as these open-ended questions help our curriculum.
  • One child mentioned the birds’ claws – that again is knowledge she already has from many of our outdoor interactions, teachable moments, and activities.

I would love to encourage educators, parents, and caregivers to practice using the outdoors as teaching tools.  Outdoor learning, outdoor classrooms, nature schools, play-based schools, and nature walks –  can create one of the most hands-on teachable moments.

May you continue loving your field of educating and nurturing the minds and hearts of young children -xoxo- Suzette Salmon aka Miss Sue

*The google search showed the bird’s name – Cedar Waxwing – there are many articles on this occurrence.

Filed Under: Activities, Nature Play, Outdoors, Science Tagged With: lesson plan, nature school, outdoor learning

Previous Post: « Hammer Process ART Made By Children – Dad’s Gift – Childhood Learning
Next Post: Toddler Showing Kindness To The Inflated Pig – A Documentation »

Reader Interactions

Latest from Lil Bebe

Yes Environment | Child Led Simple Learning With A Basket And A Tape Measure

Light Table Math Invitation | How The Children In My Home Childcare Used It

Children Play Residue | At The Light Table In My Home Daycare

More Posts from this Category

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Download Your Free Ebook

I invite you to download the Free Mud Kitchen Guide and Recipes
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Categories

Activities Creative Learning Daycare Operations Nature Play Outdoors Play Science Sensory Play

Etsy Store

Mindful Playthings

SHOP

 

Footer

lilbebeacademy

Another week in review. We experienced 7 seasons i Another week in review. We experienced 7 seasons in one week 😂☀️❄️☔️🍃🧊🥶
We got new outdoor gears from @outdoorschoolshop the children had fun both indoors and outdoors.
Thanks for watching our happy, fun, playful, loving days 🍃❄️

#homedaycare #makelearningfun✨🍎📓✏️✨ #outdooradventures #winteroutdoors #playinfebruary #naturekids #naturetoddler #lilbebeacademy #suzettesalmon #outdoorplayforkids #inhomechildcare #homechildcare #daycareteacher #daycareprovider #daycareowner #familychildcarehome #familychildcareprovider #sensoryplayathome #outdoorclassroom #naturalclassroom
Science with water, oil and food coloring 🧬 2 Science with water, oil and food coloring 🧬 

2/17/2023

Today the children spent some time outdoors playing with the fresh snow and having fun with this science experiment. This week we had all seasons in one - the joys of the Midwest ☀️ 💨 ❄️ 🧊 ☔️ 

#natureplay #naturebasedlearning #playoutdoors #1000hoursoutside #homedaycareprovider #naturebasedsolutions #naturebasedplayground #backyardplay #winteroutdoors #scienceoutside #lilbebeacademy #winterscience
Projector Play 📽️ This is our morning setup. Projector Play 📽️

This is our morning setup. It’s a very cold 🥶 day - bone 🦴 chilling cold. We will see if the children will want to continue indoor play or head outdoors (I know they want to play in the fresh snow ❄️). For now this is what I have set up 📽️ indoors 🤩

#shadowplay #lightandshadows #homedaycare #familychildcare #inhomedaycare #childminder #playbasedlearning #emergentcurriculum #playinvitation #playoutsidethebox #winterplay
The children spent some time cutting yarn, then gl The children spent some time cutting yarn, then gluing it to card stock paper. This activity morphed from red light, green light, yellow light. 

We spent the morning playing hide and seek, Simon says, and learning about traffic lights. Stories were exchanged and I’ve learnt which dad drives fast and which mom drive slow and vice versa - leave it to children to us their family stories 

#finemotoractivity #finemotorplay #simonsays #redlightgreenlight #trafficsigns #childrenprocessart #processartforkids #homedaycareprovider #homechildcare #lilbebeacademy #suzettesalmon #athomelearning
Today the children spent the day indoors 🫣😱 Today the children spent the day indoors 🫣😱

Yes, we’ve been indoors due to very high winds 💨 and a community situation that was not safe for our outdoor adventures. 

This is one of their many, many, many indoor play 🚧 
#homedaycare #familychildcare #earlyyearsathome #inhomedaycare #playadventures #loosepartslearning #loosepartsplay #loosepartsactivity #earlychildhoodeducators #earlyyearsteachersofinstagram
Guess what? 🍃 We are having more fun in our new Guess what? 🍃 We are having more fun in our new gears! I love when the children get messy and muddy - I am still a child at heart, yes I am! 2/14/2023
Today they painted old pizza boxes. We’ve been in that box painting phase since last week 🤩

We are still saying a bucket load of thanks to our parents💛
@outdoorschoolshop thanks again for your fast delivery💚☀️

#naturekidsplay #yourbackyardisenough #backyardplay #ourplayeveryday #winterplay #inhomedaycare #homedaycare #childcareprofessional #1000hoursoutside #outdoorclassrooms #naturebasedlearning
Instagram post 17998146676650019 Instagram post 17998146676650019
Parents we thank you from the bottom of our hearts Parents we thank you from the bottom of our hearts 💚

Today the children were super excited to jump into their new gears. The atmosphere was filled with giggles and lots of outdoor play.

#natureschool #naturebasedlearning #natureplay #parentsconnection #homedaycare #familychildcare #inhomedaycare #childminders #lilbebeacademy  @outdoorschoolshop - thank you!
@mccormickcenter_nlu - thank you for helping me grow
Welcome to snippets of our play 🍃 The snow was Welcome to snippets of our play 🍃

The snow was last week (I am trying to catch up from what I started the week before). 
- I am hoping to do a little recap of some of our play because we don’t get to the social as often (life happens 😁).
Hope your week was good to you. Ours was very good - the weather is starting to feel like Spring is in the air. 🌸 

#homedaycare #homeeducator #familychildcare #homebasedlearning #inhomedaycare #naturebasedlearning #naturebasededucation 

#
Rainy Day Play 2/9/2023 ☔️Today, the childre Rainy Day Play 
2/9/2023

☔️Today, the children had the luxury of playing and splashing in the rain. The rain creates such a wonderful sensory experience for the children. 

The morning started off with activities indoors. However, the children were restless. They looked at me and they said Miss Sue do you want to splash in muddy puddles? 

Miss Sue is always happier when she’s outside and yes, it takes some time to get all six children ready for outside but that is synonymous with a nature school. 
I don’t chase worksheets, the children to learn with their senses and what better place to have that than the outdoors. 
✨If you are a home-based educator with small ratio like I have of only six children, I hope you get to enjoy the fun outdoor learning . The beautiful sensory learning with your kiddos.
 ⚠️ 
1.The tip for cold play is layering the kids + keep hats + hoodie on
2. Change wet clothes  ASAP 
3. Layer them again while indoors so they’re warm and cozy.
4. Always change wet socks! Children get sick from wet head +  feet (Caribbean culture warning) 

Until next time Miss Sue 
#natureplay #winterplay #winteroutdoors #homebasededucation #homeeducator #homelearningfun #homedaycare #homechildcare
Wet Chalk Play 2/7/2023 @ 39 degrees Fahrenheit Wet Chalk Play 
2/7/2023  @ 39 degrees Fahrenheit with sun ☀️ 

Today the children played with some chalk + mortar + pestle. We couldn’t go out to the backyard because it’s soggy and their snowsuits are still wet from yesterday’s muddy snow melting play. So to suffice, I spread a padded blanket (a car visor) on the concrete of my front door, and here they are having a fantastic time outdoors. 
They did an amazing paint 🎨 activity indoors also.
This wet chalk in mortar was an idea from @wunderledteaching - we have done so many wet chalk paint but I can’t 
recall them doing it with a mortar. So when I saw her post about chalk + mortar + pestle, we had to make a go of it.
Isn’t it gorgeous! It’s so much fun doing this outdoors 🍃 even on cold days. 
#lilbebeacademy #makelearningfun #funoutdoors #playingoutside #1000hoursoutside #colorinquiry #playbasedlearning #winteroutdoors #homedaycare #childcare
Home Based Education in the Early Years is Booming Home Based Education in the Early Years is Booming ✨
- If you operate a home childcare, daycare, preschool or the likes our industry is expanding and more families are welcoming our constant flow. 
🍃I get numerous calls from families wanting to make the switch. I did not know how challenging it’s been for center based businesses. 
🍃Last week one lady told me her child based center is asking families to rotate because they can’t find staff.
This is no joke! I know we are all educators and my heart goes out to the center based teachers who are fed up and no longer happy in the field.
🍃As a Home Based educator, I get to do what makes me happy, I don’t have a boss or systems dictating the flow of our day. Instead I work with the rhythm of the children and we are HAPPY.
🍃My fellow childcare professionals home based education is happening and finally it feels like a welcome song 🎶 and validation.
#homebasebusiness #familychildcare #homeeducator #homedaycare #homedaycareprovider #homedaycarelife #earlyyears #childcare #daycare #teachersofinstagram #homeschoolpreschool #suzettesalmon #lilbebeacademy
Outdoor Fun Painting Snowflakes ❄️ 🎨 2/7/2 Outdoor Fun Painting Snowflakes ❄️ 🎨 
2/7/2023
Today the children engaged in some painting activities. It’s 38 degrees Fahrenheit, the snow is melting and the warmth is welcoming - it feels spring like. 

These snowflakes were some target clearance finds from 2021 - I am trying to clear inventory 😁. If you operate a home daycare, you know we have stuff and at times we just need to use them up. 

#winteroutdoors #februaryplay #homeeducation #homeeducator #outdoorclassroom #natureschool #reggiohomedaycare #reggioathome #suzettesalmon #lilbebeacademy
Our Play Day In The Snow 🎨 2/6/203 #childrenp Our Play Day In The Snow 🎨 
2/6/203

#childrenplay #winterplay #outdoorclassroom #outdoorschooling #natureschool #homebasedbusiness #homechildcare #reggiohomedaycare #reggioplay #lilbebeacademy #suzettesalmon #homedaycareprovider
This morning as I sat sorting buttons when one chi This morning as I sat sorting buttons when one child asked is this for us miss Sue? Light bulb 💡 went off and I hurriedly got some sorters and invited the children to sort - and here they are. 

#playbasedlearning #playislearning #colorrecognition #colorsorting #learningathome #homechildcareprovider #homechildcare #reggiohomedaycare
Braiding The Unicorns Hair 🦄 ✨ - the children Braiding The Unicorns Hair 🦄 ✨
- the children have been obsessed with hair braids and clips. Thanks to one our parents she recommends this unicorn clip holder (Amazon ) and our kiddos have been having a blast with some amazing fine motor activities 🤩

#finemotorskills 
#amazonfinds #parentconnection #collaborativelearning #collaborativeplay
 #winterindoors
 #reggioplayspace
 #reggiohomedaycare
 #homebaseddaycare 
#lilbebeacademy
 #suzettesalmon
Block Area - What did she make 🏰 Learning in Block Area - What did she make 🏰 

Learning in the block area helps children with their motor skills, both fine and gross. It helps their spatial skills, problem solving, creativity and for those who love independent play the block area supports their needs. 
Here she is exploring ideas, she also event ways to use the blocks. Notice how she places the objects on top of each other - balancing each piece, and when one fell she placed it on top again. The ability to solve simple problems. She also regulated her emotions - not getting upset when an item fell but had the emotional competency to place item back and continue working.

#homedaycare #homechildcareprovider #makelearningvisible #playbasedhomedaycare #homebaseddaycare #reggiohomedaycare #lilbebeacademy #suzettesalmon
The Child Is The Curriculum ✨ Play Schema ✨ - The Child Is The Curriculum ✨ Play Schema ✨

- ADAPTABILITY is a process of changing / adjusting to meet varying conditions. Do you practice this skill in the Early Years?  When a child show interests how do you meet their needs?

#playschema #schematicplay #toddlerschema #toddlerplay #toddlerlearning #homechildcare #familychildcare #learningathome #homechildcareprovider #mixedagelearning
Winter walks and adventures 🪶🦤 #natureisbea Winter walks and adventures 🪶🦤

#natureisbeautiful #winteranimals #winterwalks #optoutdoors #naturedaycareprovider #homechildcareprovider
Our girls constructing with Magnatiles ✨ #magna Our girls constructing with Magnatiles ✨

#magnatiles #stemgirls #childcareprovider #homedaycare #winteractivities #noworksheets #reggioinspiredteachers
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Disclosure · Design by Sharon Hujik · Log in