Punkinsaurus
by Maureen Slamer
Punkinsaurus
Brady scampered up the steps to Grandma’s porch. Grandma followed. Wait until he sees the jack-o-lantern. He doesn’t remember Halloween. The jack-o-lantern sat, a grin frozen on its face. “Punkin,” Brady patted the pumpkin’s stem.
Brady looked at the pumpkin’s face. He stepped back, “ROAR!” He stepped forward bending closer. “ROAR!” Brady turned and walked toward Grandma. “Punkinsaur,” Brady nodded, “Punkinasaurus.”
“Punkinsaur?” Grandma squatted down. “Oh, Brady, were you trying to scare the pumpkin? A pumpkin isn’t a dinosaur. It’s a jack-o-lantern.” Grandma touched the pumpkin. “Pumpkin won’t hurt you, Brady.” Brady followed Grandma inside.
Later, after a nap, Brady got ready to leave. Grandma helped Brady with his shoes and held the door. Brady stepped out, walked over, and patted the pumpkin’s stem. “Punkinsaur. No hurt. Bye, Jack.”
Stop and Listen, Be There for Your Little One
Brady is learning a ton! That jack-o-lantern was big and scary. So he did what he knew best. He roared, just like the dinosaurs. (“Punkinsaur,” Brady nodded, “Punkinasaurus.”) Grandma helped. (“Punkinsaur?” Grandma squatted down. “Oh, Brady, were you trying to scare the pumpkin? A pumpkin isn’t a dinosaur. It’s a jack-o-lantern.”) Brady was figuring it out. (“Punkinsaur. No hurt. Bye, Jack.”)
Our littlest ones are frequently confronted with new challenges and experiences.
They need support and encouragement to understand.
At times we, as adults, wonder where their comments come from or what they are thinking. So how can we help them learn without discouraging their wonder and excitement?
Consider—
- Listen to your children to find out what they are thinking.
- Ask children what they are thinking and help them to understand.
