Laura Chauvin is a veteran non-profit strategist and charitable advisor. Working with women in Tanzania and the U.S., she created Her Best Foot Forward, beautiful sandals which, through collaboration, sustainability and style, empower women and girls in Africa.
In this episode of SparkleCast, Laura, David, and Rebecca use the By Thistle By Thimble story “Purple” as the focus of a conversation about inspiring service in children and families. Laura tells the story of how Her Best Foot Forward was started and then talks about how service is central to her family’s life.
About SparkleCast:
SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.
For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com
Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com
Enjoy!
In today's story:
Lydia is a wealthy merchant who dyes and sells purple cloth to those who can afford it. She lives a life of luxury but has a single regret - she hasn't heard from her son in years. He turned his back on "serving the rich", and has become a teacher to the poor. When she at last receives a letter telling her where he now lives, she resolves to travel to him - though she doesn't realize how difficult and transformative the journey will be.
*This story is the subject of our conversation with Laura Chauvin, a non-profit strategist and charitable advisor who is the founder of Her Best Foot Forward, shoe-makers and shoe-buyers in collaboration to empower women and girls.*
About SparkleCast:
SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.
For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com
Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com
Enjoy!
Andrew & Polly are award-winning music makers and the hosts of Ear Snacks, a radical podcast for kids and families. In this episode, Andrew, Polly, David, and Rebecca talk about music and ways to introduce or boost music appreciation in your home. They use the Junkyard Tales story “The Band” as a model of how music can create community and be a mechanism for social inclusion.
About SparkleCast:
SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.
For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com
Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com
Enjoy!
In today's story:
It's a warm afternoon at the Junkyard. The Warden's car windows are down, and the sound of the radio is carried through the spring air. Ben can't help but be inspired -- could the Junkyard friends make their own music? They all agree to meet at the mounds of Mice Central at sundown, and bring their own unique instrument for a little Junkyard Jam!
*This story is the subject of our conversation with Andrew & Polly, award-winning music-makers and hosts of the Ear Snacks podcast. The story gives guidance on inspiring a love of music in our children.*
About SparkleCast:
SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.
For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com
Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com
Enjoy!
In today's story:
*This bonus story is in honor of today's historic election. We wanted to give parents and classrooms a basis to talk about the election, leadership, and what it means to be a citizen. As we post this story, the US is electing its next president.*
Once there was a land that was ruled by a Council of Fools. And in this land, to be a Fool was a position of honor and respect – that is, until the Fools began to forget how to juggle, dance, sing and perform magic. Luckily, a new Fool from a distant province arrives to transform the dry and serious members of the council back into being true Fools – rather than simply being foolish.
In today's story:
“The Fischer from the Top Branch” is a story about an election. A water hole in the Serengeti plains needs a leader who will represent all creatures who need water. So - a ‘Prefect’ is elected every wet season to monitor the water and make sure everyone is served. But choosing the ‘Prefect’ is often contentious.
This year the choice is between a Fischer’s Lovebird and a Leopard - and the election is emotional, ridden with conflict and indeed, personal. In the end the Lovebird is elected - but she immediately sees the need for healing - the need for the creatures to unite again. Luckily, she flies to the top branch of a nearby acacia tree and is able to see the land and all its creatures together. And that image helps her know what to do.
About SparkleCast:
SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.
For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com
Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com
Enjoy!
Susan Weber, an early childhood expert and educator, is Director of Sophia's Hearth Family Center in Keene, New Hampshire. In this episode of SparkleCast, Susan, David, and Rebecca talk about how to develop the festival life of your household or classroom by incorporating rhythm and attention to the natural world. They discuss how the story “A Little Bit of Light” not only demonstrates the “lantern walk” festival that is popular during the autumn season, but how the parents in the story make room for the child to discover the truth of the festival all on her own.
About SparkleCast:
SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.
For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com
Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com
Enjoy!