Hi Naomi,

I just did a presentation for second graders yesterday.  I always rely on
animal stories to help kids understand different requirements of parenting.  You
can use new book  "If My Mom Were A Platypus: Animal Babies and Their Mothers"
to come up with stories that are easy to retell.

Some ideas include to talk about the three kinds of mammal moms -- those who
hatch their babies from eggs then breastfeed them, those who babies are "born"
from the pouch, and those, like us, who have live birth.  You can compare the
Hooded Seal (with the shortest childhood) to the human (with the longest
childhood) and talk about how much more humans need to learn from their
enviornment.  You can touch on the universality of breastmilk and the importance of
learning survival skills.  The Activity Guide to the book (free from
www.PlatypusMedia.com) has some great ideas for activities to support the concepts.

Let me know if you need any more suggestions!

- Dia

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Dia L. Michels
Platypus Media -- Books for Families, Teachers and Parenting Professionals
627 A Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-546-1674 / 1-877-PLATYPS (toll-free)
202-546-2356-fax
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PlatypusMedia.com

Date:    Wed, 28 Apr 2004 14:28:21 -0400
From:    Naomi Bar-Yam <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: presentation for second graders

I' m participating in Science Week at my son's elementary school and
have been asked to present something on new babies, what they need,
what they respond to and something about having new siblings in the
house for the older siblings (apparently several of the kids in these
classes have recently or will soon welcome new siblings. It should run
20-30 minutes and I'd like to do some presentation and then some
activity for the kids. I will certainly work breastfeeding, kangaroo
care etc. into the presentations.
Any ideas, suggestions most appreciated. Respond personally and/or on
line if this is anappropriate venue.

Thanks,
  Naomi Bar-Yam
--------------------------------
Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.
[log in to unmask]

Researcher, Writer, Educator
in Maternal and Child Health
--------------------------------

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