Finding Faces

By Tyler Starbard, Dandelions teacher 

Take a look at all the various pieces of debris on the ground around you somewhere outside.
Notice how many there are, and all of their shapes, sizes and types. Now seek to rearrange them to build a face.
At first you may just see sticks, pebbles, leaves, and seeds; but suddenly an eyeball pops out at you, then a second, and probably a third if you are aiming to create a triclops.
Before long you are intently scanning for that perfect smile shaped twig or the right material to use as hair, along the way you may pause to say hi to brother ant and might even get down on your knees for a closer look.
The pieces come together and take on an earthen character, and just like that you’ve built new relationships with the world around you.
The Elm tree becomes the Eyeball Seed Tree and the name opens a deeper relation to that species.
Empathy then grows for the often overlooked tiny pieces of Earth.

Enjoy the simple details in a creative new way. This activity makes both you and the face you have built smile.
Express yourself and let your child take interest through seeing the fun in turning rocks into noses!