NONNA & THE BOSS
  • Start Here
  • Nonna's Thoughts
    • Acts of Resistance
    • Friday's Coffee Break
    • Saturday Self-Care
  • Stories Matter

Nonna's Guide to Exploring Simplicity

3/1/2021

 
Picture
Photo by Benjamin Manley at Unsplash

Simplicity is necessary

Our minds and lives can become cluttered with things and activities and noise quite easily.  And clutter creates a sense of overload. Too many choices creates a fatigue of the mind, body and heart.

While minimalism or simple living is a big deal in social media these days, there is also quite a bit of serious research about the benefits of purposefully living with less. Most of the resources are about and for adults, but the UK began a human development study with babies and mothers in 1946 which continued for five generations! In Helen Pearson's The Life Project she writes about the correlations between flourishing, successful children and quality time with their parents -- those quiet moments each day where parents really listen and respond to their children.

What better way to foster those quiet moments than to read to your children everyday? This month's books are selected to elicit and inspire children to talk about the important things in life with you.


Week of March 1st: Things

Picture
Picture
Picture
How do we know when we have enough toys, books, clothes? How do we choose those things which are essential? Or know which things are important for our soul? 

These are important questions children can wrestle with even at very young ages.
  • Last Stop on Market Street
  • More
  • The Hundred Dresses

Week of March 8th: Self

Picture
Picture
Picture
Young children are often quite aware in seeing other people -- intuitively recognizing our character traits. It's only as we grow up and older that we become less sure about who we are, who others are and the world around us. Reading or listening to books which encourage children to develop a sense of self helps lay a strong foundation for weathering those doubts.
  • The Little Prince
  • I Am Enough
  • Whoever You Are

Week of March 15th: Outside

Picture
Picture
Picture
Selecting just a few books about the world around us is perhaps the most difficult task -- there are so many excellent choices. With only three choices what is the highest priority? Beauty, nature, the arts, science, animals -- the list could go on and on.

One selection is for children who like to explore, one is for animal lovers, and the final one is strictly informational!
  • Move
  • Flashlight
  • Children's First Encyclopedia

Week of March 22nd: Traditions

Picture
Picture
Picture
Rituals and traditions give a consistent, dependable rhythm to our lives -- knowing what to expect is important for children.

As equally important as a sense of predictability is to a child, so is a child's understanding of where they come from. Traditions give a child a sense of heritage, an understanding of her people, and her place in the world.


  • Wabi Sabi
  • Suki's Kimono
  • Alma and How She Got Her Name

Week of March 29th: Helping

Picture
Picture
I have a friend who posts on Facebook -- just about everyday -- pictures of the simple, but beautiful and useful things in life for which he is grateful. Jack is also one of the few people I've known most of my life who consistently gives to and serves other people. He is one of those helpers talked about in Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

  • My Father's Dragon
  • The Door in the Wall

It's a big month of reading, but in the spirit of simplicity I encourage you to choose just one book to share with your children. Read a picture book again and again. Or choose one of the novels to read aloud throughout the month. Less is more.

Take time to read together,                 
Nonna                          


Comments are closed.

    Purpose

    The  Stories Matter
    mission is to give parents a reliable & thoughtful resource for finding children's books.

    Bookshop.org
    Disclaimer: Most of the books reviewed can be found at your public library or purchased through your local bookstore. 

    I am affiliate of Bookstore.org and will earn a commission if you click through the links and make a purchase from the Stories Matter storefront. 

    But, really, VISIT YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY!

    Thank you!

    Categories

    All
    All Hallows Read
    All Things Technology
    Animal Stories
    A Season Of Wonder
    Beyond My Door
    Celebrity Authors
    Empathy & Kindness
    Exploring Simplicity
    Harvest Day Reading
    Heroes & Heroines
    Laughter's Medicine
    Mother Earth
    Nonna's Reading Guides
    Summer!
    The Heart Of Winter

NONNA AND THE BOSS, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Most of the books reviewed can be checked out from your local library.  If you want to purchase one, please visit your
local bookstore or use Bookshop.org.
Bookshop.org supports local bookstores with each purchase.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org & will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks!

  • Start Here
  • Nonna's Thoughts
    • Acts of Resistance
    • Friday's Coffee Break
    • Saturday Self-Care
  • Stories Matter