Adventures in ING: ReadING

Adventures in ING

ING is a wonderful world where kindness is important. In fact, kindness is the most important thing in ING and all the elves, sprites, fairies, and gnomes who live there celebrate kindness every chance they get. They celebrate small kindnesses like when someone smiles at them and they smile back. And they celebrate big kindnesses like...well...like when someone smiles at them and they smile back.

One of the best things about ING is that everyone knows that there are countless ways of being kind and countless ways of celebrating kindness. The tricky thing for humans to learn is how to notice kindnesses. Humans have to learn to notice when other people are being kind to them just as much as the need to learn to notice when they are being kind to others (and themselves). (Yes! You can practice being kind to yourself!)

But...once someone learns how to notice kindness, many wonderful things happen. First, they start to see kindness everywhere. Then they are able to be kind wherever they go. And the funny thing about being kind - the more you do it, the more you want to do it, and the more ways you imagine to do it!

Those are the Adventures in ING. Noticing kindnesses. Being kind. Imagining new ways of being kind.


March is for Reading
The elves from ING take turns inviting humans to practice being kind. Every once in a while a couple of experts from ING offer ideas about how little humans can learn about giving, sharing, caring, loving, laughing, and living in kindness.

In March the Reading Elves, named Haiku and Story, like to explain how reading is not just a fun thing to do for yourself. It is an important one that helps make you more understanding, more knowledgable, less stressed, and - because of all those things - better able to show kindness. There is plenty of work to do to make reading part of your life.

A Letter of Introduction
When they arrive, Haiku and Story like to introduce themselves because that is the kind (and polite) thing to do.

Dear Small Persons,

Our names are Haiku and Story and we are Reading Elves from ING. We like to visit small persons in March, right around Dr. Seuss's Birthday, to have fun reading with you.

Reading is powerful business and it takes some time to learn. But there are ways you can make reading a part of your life even if you can't quite do it on your own.  

Once you are good at reading with your family, you can read by yourself, read to other persons, and even other creatures. So let’s get started by thinking about why and how we read.

We look forward to doing this fun and important work with you! Sincerely,

Haiku and Story

Four Ways of Reading - Some Ideas

Then Haiku and Story suggest some ways to practice reading. They ask the children to practice reading in different ways.

ONE: READING TO/FOR YOURSELF

Dear Small Persons,  

When you are small there are a few different ways to enjoy stories from books. 

You can ask your mom or dad to read to you. Just pick your favorite book, walk to your parent, and ask! (Don't forget to start with, "Will you please..." Grownups are more likely to say "yes" when you ask politely.) 

You can also look at a book on your own. Just open one up and look at the pictures and the letters that are inside. 

There are even audiobooks for you at the library. You can get a CD and book that go together. 

However you make time to read something that you find funny or interesting is perfect. The important thing is that it feels good. Do you think you can read a little today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Haiku and Story

TWO: READING TO OTHER PEOPLE

Dear Small Persons, 

We think Reading to Other People feels really good! When you sit quietly together and look at a book, it is safe and cozy and fun. 

If you remember the words from your favorite story then you can pretend to read to your grownup. If you don't remember then that's OK, too. Just make up your own words for the pictures. 

Someday you will learn the letters and the words, too, and then you can read to your parents, your grandparents, your brother or sister. You could even visit an assisted living home and read to people who don't live with their families any more. 

Do you think you can read to Someone today? Tomorrow? Every day this week?  

You can start simply by choosing a book and saying, "Can I read to you?" 

Haiku and Story

THREE: READING TO ANIMALS

Dear Small Persons,  

Did you know that you can read to animals? Of course, if you have a pet the you can read to him or her. 

If you don't have a pet of your own then you can find a different place to read to an animal. Sometimes local animal shelters invite children to read to the animals waiting to be adopted. Other times your library hosts therapy dogs who would like for you to read to them. 

Reading to Animals is often a fur-filled event! Be sure you use gentle touches and soft words when you read to them. 

Do you think you can Read to an Animal today? Tomorrow?  This week? 

Haiku and Story

FOUR: READING IN LIFE

Dear Small Persons,  

Reading doesn't just mean reading books. Words and pictures are used to communicate all sorts of things. Road signs tell drivers where to stop and pedestrians where it is safe to cross. In stores, words and pictures help you find bathrooms. At the grocery store, words and pictures tell you what is inside a box or can. 

So when you are out and about, keep your eyes peeled for all the places you see words and pictures.  

Do you think you can spot some words and pictures outside your home today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Haiku and Story 

Saying Goodbye
Before departing, the Reading elves say goodbye because that is the kind thing to do.

Dear Small Persons, 

We have had great fun with you. Thank you for practicing reading with us. You had many clever ways of reading big and reading small. And every kindness counts! 

Haiku and Story

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Adventures in ING: Loving

Adventures in ING

ING is a wonderful world where kindness is important. In fact, kindness is the most important thing in ING and all the elves, sprites, fairies, and gnomes who live there celebrate kindness every chance they get. They celebrate small kindnesses like when someone smiles at them and they smile back. And they celebrate big kindnesses like...well...like when someone smiles at them and they smile back.

One of the best things about ING is that everyone knows that there are countless ways of being kind and countless ways of celebrating kindness. The tricky thing for humans to learn is how to notice kindnesses. Humans have to learn to notice when other people are being kind to them just as much as the need to learn to notice when they are being kind to others (and themselves). (Yes! You can practice being kind to yourself!)

But...once someone learns how to notice kindness, many wonderful things happen. First, they start to see kindness everywhere. Then they are able to be kind wherever they go. And the funny thing about being kind - the more you do it, the more you want to do it, and the more ways you imagine to do it!

Those are the Adventures in ING. Noticing kindnesses. Being kind. Imagining new ways of being kind.


February is for Loving
The elves from ING take turns inviting humans to practice being kind. Every once in a while a couple of experts from ING offer ideas about how little humans can learn about giving, sharing, caring, loving, laughing, and living in kindness.

In February the Loving Elves, named Heart and Soul, like to explain that love is about more than loving a single other person. There is plenty of work to do to practice loving oneself, other humans, animals, and the earth.

A Letter of Introduction
When they arrive, Heart and Soul like to introduce themselves because that is the kind (and polite) thing to do.

Dear Small Persons,

Our names are Heart and Soul and we are Loving Elves from ING. We like to visit small persons in February, right around Valentine’s Day, to play with Love.

Loving is powerful business and sometimes it is tricky when it involves other creatures. That is why the first place to start Loving work is within you. Once you are good at loving yourself, you can love other persons, other creatures, and even the earth. So let’s get started by thinking about why and how we love ourselves.

We look forward to doing this fun and important work with you! Sincerely,

Heart and Soul

Four Ways of Loving - Some Ideas

Then Heart and Soul suggest some ways to practice loving. They ask the children to notice acts of love - whether they feel love for themselves or others, or when they notice other people acting with love.

ONE: LOVING YOURSELF

Dear Small Persons,  

It is important to love yourself because if you feel loved then you can share your love with others.  

There a many ways to love yourself. You can make a plan to say something loving to yourself every day. Some people say, "I love myself." Others say, "I am strong." or "I am beautiful." or "I am smart." or "I am funny."   

You can even do something nice for yourself. You can make something beautiful to decorate your room. Or you can go outside to smell nature. Or listen to your favorite song.

We think Loving Yourself is important! Do you think you can show yourself a little love today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Heart and Soul 

TWO: LOVING OTHER PEOPLE

Dear Small Persons  

We think Loving Other People feels really good! That is because saying "I love you" to someone usually makes them smile. You can also show your love by doing something nice for the other person or giving them a gift.

What about you? Do you think you can show Love to Someone today? Tomorrow? Every day this week?  

You can start simply by saying, "I love you." 

Heart and Soul

THREE: LOVING ANIMALS

Dear Small Persons,  

Have you ever noticed a dog wagging its tail or a cat purring? Those are ways that we know animals feel loved. They are well-fed and feel safe. 

Loving Animals is often a fur-filled event! Gentle touches, soft words, walking or running together, and giving them tasty snacks are ways to love animals. 

Do you think you can Love an Animal today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? If you want to show love to an animal you don't know then you can start by asking the owner, "Can I pet your dog (or cat)?"

Have furry fun!

Heart and Soul

FOUR: LOVING EARTH

Dear Small Persons,  

We think Loving Earth is easy because there are so many ways to do it! The easiest way to Love Earth is to spend time outdoors breathing fresh air, enjoying grass (or snow) beneath your feet, planting trees, or smelling flowers. Another way to Loving Earth is to take care of it. You can Love Earth by picking up litter (don't forget to take a trash bag along with you and to wash your hands when you're done), turning the lights off when you leave a room, and turning the water off while you brush your teeth. 

Do you think you can do something to Love Earth today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Heart and Soul 

Saying Goodbye
Before departing, the Loving elves say goodbye because that is the kind thing to do.

Dear Small Persons, 

We have had great fun with you. Thank you for practicing loving with us. You had many clever ways of loving big and loving small. And every kindness counts! 

Heart and Soul

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Adventures in ING: PlannING

ELVES with RESOLVE

Adventures in ING

ING is a wonderful world where kindness is important. In fact, kindness is the most important thing in ING and all the elves, sprites, fairies, and gnomes who live there celebrate kindness every chance they get. They celebrate small kindnesses like when someone smiles at them and they smile back. And they celebrate big kindnesses like...well...like when someone smiles at them and they smile back.

One of the best things about ING is that everyone knows that there are countless ways of being kind and countless ways of celebrating kindness. The tricky thing for humans to learn is how to notice kindnesses. Humans have to learn to notice when other people are being kind to them just as much as the need to learn to notice when they are being kind to others (and themselves). (Yes! You can practice being kind to yourself!)

But...once someone learns how to notice kindness, many wonderful things happen. First, they start to see kindness everywhere. Then they are able to be kind wherever they go. And the funny thing about being kind - the more you do it, the more you want to do it, and the more ways you imagine to do it!

Those are the Adventures in ING. Noticing kindnesses. Being kind. Imagining new ways of being kind.


January is for Planning
The elves from ING take turns inviting humans to practice being kind. Every once in a while a couple of experts from ING offer ideas about how little humans can learn about giving, sharing, caring, loving, laughing, and living in kindness.

In January the Planning Elves, named M.O. and Iwill, like to explain that by planning to be kind we are more likely to be kind. Then they imagine all the ways to Plan to be kind.

A Letter of Introduction
When they arrive, M.O. and Iwill like to introduce themselves because that is the kind (and polite) thing to do.

Dear Little Humans, 

Our names are M.O. and Iwill. We are elves from ING, Planning elves to be exact. We like to visit little humans, like yourselves, in January. 

We've noticed that you are often kind without even meaning to be kind! What an excellent skill. However, we find that when we make plans to be kind we find new ways to show kindness to ourselves and to others. 

We look forward to doing this fun and important work with you! Sincerely,  

M.O. & Iwill

What is Planning?
After introducing themselves, M.O. and Iwill like to explain a little about Planning.

Planning is how you make ideas come true. By planning to be kind, you can make being kind important. 

Four Weeks of Planning - Some Ideas

Then M.O. and Iwill suggest some ways to practice planning. Once a week, they ask the children to notice when other people planned something special for them and when they plan something for others.

WEEK ONE: PLANNING TO BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Dear Little Humans,  

It is important to be kind to yourself because if you feel good then you can share your goodness with others.  

There a many ways to be kind to yourself. You can make a plan to say something kind to yourself every day. Some people say, "I love myself." Others say, "I am strong." or "I am beautiful." or "I am smart." or "I am funny."   

You can even do something nice for yourself. You can make something beautiful to decorate your room. Or you can go outside to smell nature. Or listen to your favorite song.

We think Planning for Yourself is important! Do you think you can Plan to be Kind to Yourself today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

M.O. & Iwill 

WEEK TWO: PLANNING TO BE KIND TO YOUR FAMILY

Dear Little Humans,  

We think Planning to be Kind to Your Family is fun! Certainly your parents make plans to eat good food, go fun places, and read good books with you. What other things do you notice your parents planning for you?

What about you? Do you think you can Plan to be Kind to Someone in Your Family today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? What is your plan? 
You can start by saying, "I plan to ___ for my mom."

M.O. & Iwill 

WEEK THREE: PLANNING TO BE KIND TO YOUR FRIENDS

Dear Little Humans,  

Have you ever noticed something special your friend has done just for you? Maybe she asked to hug you or made a special gift. He might have invited you over to play. Sometimes hugs and gifts and playdates are spontaneous but sometimes they take a bit of planning, right? 

We think Planning to be Kind to Your Friends is easy! Do you think you can Plan to be Kind to a Friend today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? You can start by saying, "I plan to ___ for my friend."

M.O. & Iwill 

WEEK FOUR: PLANNING TO BE KIND TO YOUR COMMUNITY

Dear Little Humans,  

We think Planning to be Kind to People in Your Community is tricky! Sometimes you have to wait for a special day at church or in the town to work. But sometimes it is simple enough to say, "Today, I'm going to pick up any litter I see in my neighborhood and throw it away." (Don't forget to take a trash bag along with you and to wash your hands when you're done.) 

Do you think you can Plan a Way to be Kind to someone in your community today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

M.O. & Iwill 

Saying Goodbye
Before departing, the Planning elves say goodbye because that is the kind thing to do.

Dear Little Humans, 

We have had great fun with you. Thank you for practicing planning with us. You had many clever ways of planning big and planning small. And every kindness counts! 

M.O. & Iwill

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Adventures in ING: GivING

Adventures in ING

ING is a wonderful world where kindness is important. In fact, kindness is the most important thing in ING and all the elves, sprites, fairies, and gnomes who live there celebrate kindness every chance they get. They celebrate small kindnesses like when someone smiles at them and they smile back. And they celebrate big kindnesses like...well...like when someone smiles at them and they smile back.

One of the best things about ING is that everyone knows that there are countless ways of being kind and countless ways of celebrating kindness. The tricky thing for humans to learn is how to notice kindnesses. Humans have to learn to notice when other people are being kind to them just as much as the need to learn to notice when they are being kind to others (and themselves). (Yes! You can practice being kind to yourself!)

But...once someone learns how to notice kindness, many wonderful things happen. First, they start to see kindness everywhere. Then they are able to be kind wherever they go. And the funny thing about being kind - the more you do it, the more you want to do it, and the more ways you imagine to do it!

Those are the Adventures in ING. Noticing kindnesses. Being kind. Imagining new ways of being kind.


December is for Giving
The elves from ING take turns inviting humans to practice being kind. Every once in a while a couple of experts from ING offer ideas about how little humans can learn about giving, sharing, caring, loving, laughing, and living in kindness.

In December the Giving Elves, named Portu and Porvu, like to imagine all the ways to be kind through giving.

A Letter of Introduction
When they arrive, Portu and Porvu like to introduce themselves because that is the kind (and polite) thing to do.

Dear Little Humans, 

Our names are Portu and Porvu. We are elves from ING, Giving elves to be exact. We like to visit little humans, like yourselves, in December. Together we can imagine all the ways we can bring kindness to others through giving.

We look forward to doing this fun and important work with you! Sincerely,  

Portu & Porvu

What is Giving?
After introducing themselves, Portu and Porvu like to explain a little about Giving.

Giving is the simple act of offering something you have to someone else. 

Four Weeks of Giving - Some Ideas

Then Portu and Porvu suggest some ways to notice giving and even ways to practice giving. Once a week, they ask the children to notice when other people give something to them and when they give something to others.

WEEK ONE: GIVING AFFECTION

Dear Little Humans,  

A sign of affection is a gentle way of touching someone. 

It can be a hug, a high-five, a friendly pat on the back, or a gentle squeeze of the hand (we like to call these "hand hugs"). 

You can hug yourself or... 

...ask someone if you can hug them. 

We think Giving Affection is easy! Do you think you can Give Affection to someone today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Hugs,
Portu & Porvu 

WEEK TWO: GIVING KIND WORDS

Dear Little Humans,  

A kind word can change someone's day. "Please" and "Thank you" are kind words. So are Compliments. 

Compliments usually start with "I like..." or "I feel happy when..." You can say things like "I like the bright color of your shirt."  or "I feel happy when we play together." You can Give a Compliment to yourself and to other people! You can say compliments out loud or sing them. You can even write them down. 

We think Giving Kind Words is easy! Do you think you can Give Kind Words to someone today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Portu & Porvu 

WEEK THREE: GIVING GOODS

Dear Little Humans,  

Goods are things that you can hold in your hand like food, money, or presents. 

We like to give food to all sorts of people. Sometimes we make cookies for our neighbors. Other times we make a meal for people who cannot afford to make their own meal. 

We also like to draw pictures or make something special for our family or friends.

We think Giving Goods is fun! Do you think you can Give Goods to someone today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Portu & Porvu 

WEEK FOUR: GIVING SPACE

Dear Little Humans,  

Giving Space is sometimes the easiest thing to give! Here are some ways you can Give Space to someone: 

- You can hold the door open for someone. - You can move over to let someone sit next to you. - You can let someone else go first. - You can even give space to yourself by finding a quiet place to hide when things are loud.   

We think Giving Space is tricky but fun! Do you think you can Give Space to someone today? Tomorrow? Every day this week? 

Portu & Porvu 

Saying Goodbye
Before departing, the Giving elves say goodbye because that is the kind thing to do.

Dear Little Humans, 

We have had great fun with you. Thank you for practicing giving with us. You had many clever ways of giving big and giving small. And every kindness counts! 

Portu & Porvu

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A Letter of Transition
If you are recovering from Elf on the Shelf, then here is a letter to introduce the world of ING, and its agents to your family.

Dear Little Humans, 

Our names are Portu and Porvu. We are elves from ING, Giving elves to be exact. We heard that the Elf on the Shelf was causing problems by looking for problems. Well we are optimists and like to look for good things instead of bad things. It is a much nicer way to see the world, don't you think? We are here to teach the Elf on the Shelf about the goodest goodness in life - kindness. 

We like to visit little humans, like yourselves, in December. Together we can imagine all the ways we can bring kindness to others through giving.

We look forward to doing this fun and important work with you! Sincerely,  

Portu & Porvu

Adventures in ING

The Paradox of Wanting an Elf
Upon decorating our Christmas tree, my son lamented, "I wish an elf would visit." That statement surprised me because I remember the Elf on the Shelf experience he had had when we visited family for Christmas a few years ago...he didn't like it. My sensitive little guy grew increasingly anxious about being bad. And then when Christmas had passed he exclaimed with relief, "I'm so glad that Elf is gone!"

Craving Holiday Magic
Clearly my child is craving a magical experience. One that comes with the ideas of fancy fantastical creatures that bring love and joy to our world. I thought about all the Alternatives to Elf on the Shelf that I have heard about but one thing keeps nagging at me. It is this:

kindness and generosity are aspirations worthy of year-round attention.

A New Tradition
That is when it occurred to me to create a new tradition. By creating my own elves I could do two things: use them to solve a problem and teach the Elf on the Shelf the power of positivity, and I could kick off a year's worth of kindness curriculum (for lack of a better term).

Adventures in ING
So begins the Adventures in ING.  In the coming months I hope to make one pair of elves for each month and an accompanying list of ideas that explore each core concept. Here is the first draft of our year of Adventures in ING:

December - Giving

January - Smiling

February - Loving

March - Reading

April - Planning, Planting

May - Blooming

June - Adventuring

July - Listening

August - Dreaming

September - Teaching

October - Changing

November - Thanking

There are so many Adventures in ING to be had! I keep coming up with more ideas that I will build on: Remembering, Caring, Laughing, Resolving, Comforting, Writing, Playing, Walking, Painting