First Time Star Gazer

I somewhat arbitrarily decided the learning theme for August would be "What is in the sky?"  Content would include birds, clouds, weather, the solar system, stars, the sun, airplanes, hot air balloons, the rapture - you know, topics fitting for a one and three year old.

While visiting my parents at the lake, I took advantage of the opportunity to be away from city lights to introduce Sequoia to the stars.  Since her bedtime is way before dark this time of the year, I don't know how much she really had noticed stars.  I imagine that apart from those oddly beckoning stars Dora the Explorer catches and that nightlight turtle, her exposure was minimal.


So, the idea was introduced, "Sequoia, do you want to stay up late at the boat and watch the stars with me?!?!" Her reply, "That would be so much FFFUUUUNNNN!!!!"  I'm not quite sure how to translate our propensity for dramatic exchanges without the formidable punctuation.

She started waiting at the door for stars to come out an hour before the sunset.  Mom taught her "Star Light, Star Bright" and she decided she would wish for a mean giant so she could spank it on the butt.  (I disapproved of this, of course).  The following night she would wish for an uninspired crayon. I later learned it was really a crown she wanted, just the two-syllable version.

I was prepared - ready with three-year-old appropriate discussion on the following topics:

• What are stars?
• Where are stars during the day?
• What else is moving in the sky?
• Where is the big dipper?
• What is a constellation?

These were some of the questions that Sequoia actually asked once we were under the night sky.

• Why do bats fly at night?
• What do bats eat?
• Why do bats eat bugs?
• Will a bat eat me?
• Why don't bats eat me?
• Why do bugs eat me?
• What do we eat?
• Where does the chicken we eat go when it dies?
• Do we eat the chicken's eyes?
• Will I die?
• Why did the bat fall from its mama?  (Referencing Stellaluna, a book we read in the past)
• Why did the owl want to eat the bat? (Another Stellaluna reference)

It took some time to reel her in to talking about the stars.  But our conversation held true to our August learning theme.  Mostly.