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Do you practice strewing? If you don’t strew, you’re missing some teachable moments with your kids. You probably strew and don’t even know it. Are you asking: What is strewing?!
Strewing is simply consciously leaving material around the house for children to discover and engage with.
One of the places I like to strew is in the bathroom…captive audience, you see. One of my nieces said once that she loved using the bathroom at my house because she always learned something. (At the time, I was swapping out pages with the Greek and Latin roots to English words in a clear page protector hung on the wall).
Depending on the ages of your kids, you can strew building toys, art supplies, or puzzles. Lately, I’ve been strewing books. And I have found a fantastic resource for them: Candlewick Press.
Candlewick Press was kind enough to gift me these 5 books, and I’m being compensated for my time in writing this post but as with anything on The Sparrow’s Home, opinions are all mine.
Strewing with Picture Books
You might think that picture books are only for littles. Not so! Quality books like these are engaging for teens and adults.
Just leaving these books laying around and hoping for the best is not really my style. As with all aspects of parenting, we miss out on so much if we aren’t talking with our kids about what they are watching and reading. So when I choose to strew items like these picture books, my kids know that they will be topics of dinnertime conversation.
Sometimes I’ll leave just one book out so we can have more focused conversation, other times I’ll put a small basket of books to choose from. That’s what I did with these 5 books:
Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust
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Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World’s Most Memorable Photographs
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Kennedy Assassinated! The World Mourns: A Reporter’s Story
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Classic Poetry: An Illustrated Collection
I left the books in the basket for a week or so, with an occasional reminder to check them out. Then, over dinner, we would discuss things that stood out to us in the books. The three that garnered the most interest around here were the ones about the Holocaust, the Kennedy assassination, and the photography book. (We visited the Kennedy museum at the book depository in Dallas and so I was not surprised that this book struck a cord with all of us.)
I was also not surprised that the poetry book didn’t get much play from the boys, that’s not really their bag. But I have a surprise for my youngest. He’s going to get to use it more formally for school, since he’s currently studying for an Analyzing Literature exam. Yay poetry!
Candlewick Press
On their website, Candlewick Press has a huuuge selection of books to choose from. For just a little taste of what they have to offer, check out these series:
But even more than a gigantic selection of books, if you click on the ‘Resources’ tab at their site, you’ll find discussion guides, activity sheets, reproducibles and more.
As a special bonus for my readers, Candlewick Press is offering a 25% discount when you enter the promo code CANDLEWICK at checkout.
And they’re also doing a fantastic giveaway. 50 winners will receive a boxed set of Judy Moody paperbacks books 1-8.
You’re going to be all about the strewing now, aren’t you?
Well, by all means head over to Candlewick Press and stock up! You can connect with them through their newsletter or on social media, too.
Mother of 3 says
March 8, 2017 at 6:29 pmOooh! Those look like such great books. I love to strew books, building sets and supplies, craft projects, you name it and I am probably throwing it out there at some point.
Mother of 3 recently posted…Homeschooling Through the Alphabet: H is for Heart
Leta says
March 10, 2017 at 4:47 amNot heard of some of these books, so have added them to our home ed wish list! Strewing is such a great strategy, perfect for inspiring all sorts of interests. Glad to have found a new home ed blog to read too 🙂
Jacqueline says
March 10, 2017 at 11:28 amI’ve always had an incredible collection of books, they’re everywhere. On the coffee table, bedside table, kitchen etc. So there’s a lot for children can discover. I know when I have little visitors, they love coming over because there’s so much to discover at my home.
Jacqueline recently posted…Last Three Neal’s Yard Remedies Products
Susan says
March 10, 2017 at 1:14 pmYou are so right that littles love to explore! Sometimes we try to hard to push things on them, when all we really need to do is put it out and not say anything at all!
Patrick says
March 12, 2017 at 12:11 amThat is outstanding…..I never really ever thought of what I left in my bathroom or living could be read by my guests. I have a few books in a bathroom….I wonder if anyone has ever cracked one open….