Notes from a Barefoot Mama: Learning to capture Stories

Mona, your Barefoot Mama here. When Jenn and I were talking a while ago, I realized that as Ava and I attend Barefoot classes, I am learning just as much as she is, but from a different perspective. We thought it may be interesting to share that perspective. I am excited to begin blogging my personal experiences with Barefoot Enrichment, as well as providing a "Mama's" view of what I am learning along with my daughter Ava.

For the last year or so, Ava, Maya, Cole (sometimes), Miss Jenn and I have been getting together to have smaller enrichment style playdates. These playdates sometimes involve a theme and either a craft or some sort of fun project. Most of the time it is an extension of a Barefoot class we have attended. We have made amazing memories and learned so much.

Today, Maya and Miss Jenn came over and we continued our Fall explorations that we had begun in Barefoot Enrichment class on Friday, and really dug into creating "stories". This was a great experience for both Ava and me.

Miss Jenn first read Maya and Ava "The leaf Man", and then had the girls create their own leaf creatures.


While the girls were creating their leaf creatures, Miss Jenn made a "bird" out of leaves and then wrote a little story about him. Maya, an old pro at this, started right in and added a bit of story telling about getting to know the bird, naming him, etc.

Ava caught on after a few minutes and her leaf creature evolved from a "birdie", to a "chimp" to "alligators and crocodiles". Then the attention turned to Maya's "duck" and Ava and Maya created this adorable little story (in three year old speak of course) about the duck who lost his mama, but found her again and found daddy, then he walked and walked and walked.

The entire time they were talking, Miss Jenn wrote their stories on the sheet of poster paper. She would reread it to them to "make sure she had it all correct" and of course the girls would add more and more and more.

It was great to watch Ava really get into creating a story with words and then realize that they were being written and repeated. Her sense of accomplishment was written all over her little face.

The Finished Product:

What I learned:
I learned to be patient and let Ava dictate the story and the pace. Sometimes, she would make up words or recite her "ABCs", but Jenn wrote them down and incorporated it into the story they were writing. I realized that sometimes I prompt Ava with ideas like "Is that a bird Ava", instead of "tell me what you are creating". It was amazing to watch her little mind work and to witness her story unfold.

I am excited to share my experiences and observations as we continue these enrichment playdates.