The Great Race

I love our relaxing moments after the day is finally done.  Some nights can be chaotic, so when things run smooth it's noticed and appreciated.

One such evening, with our Barefoot stash conveniently located near our bedside table, I eagerly reached over to choose a few new titles.

We were playing with shapes earlier, and my son noticed there was a star, but no moon.  So, a story about the lunar calendar could not have been a better choice (although I didn't plan it that way.) 

And, he quickly forgot we were missing a crescent shaped anything, when I began reading all about the animals competing in The Great Race, The Story of the Chinese Zodiac.  We also found new inspiration for a future craft project, coloring and/or painting session!  And of course, in typical Barefoot fashion, it was a cultural lesson for us too.

For early learning in general, these stories have been instrumental in teaching us both about things that may not have come up in every day conversation.  Packed with information, these books continually aid me in educating my child before he's even begun school and it's empowering.

We referred to the end notes to learn which animals landed on our year.  Then, we started to look up what they are for other members of the family and that was lots of fun!  Do you know which animal ruled when you were born?

At the end of every reading, I like to come up with at least three questions to get a sense of what he may have retained from the story, such as:

1.  We learned that every year represents a different animal, which one did not make the cut?
a) Dog
b) Cat
c) Rat
d) Snake

2.  The Chinese New Year is also known as:
a) The Festival of Lights
b) The Spring Festival
c) The Harvest Festival
d) None of the above.

3.  Which animal in the story is also a mythical creature?
a) Ox
b) Snake
c) Dragon
d) Tiger

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