Ant Stick

Are you familiar with Aesop's fable "the Ants and the Grasshopper" as retold by Disney? A grasshopper unconcerned that winter is coming fiddles and plays through his day. He tries to convince some of the worker ants to stop and enjoy the beauty of summer. Fate is realized in winter, the grasshopper starving and cold collapses at the door of the ant colony. The ants, being board with winter, see a use for his cheerful fiddling and take him in. The grasshopper "earns his keep" by entertaining the ants with music.

I am raising a grasshopper; a child who is in no hurry to do anything but find's joy in everything. I am protecting him from the ants; people mainly in the school system that measure child development by how well you march in a row. I know surely as winter will come my job is to protect my grasshopper until his turn to bring light and joy into winter.

My grasshopper is without fear. He is the first one to jump into an ice cold lake for a swim. He will always ride the biggest rollercoaster. And most impressive his is always the first to share with you because he does not fear scarcity. Grasshoppers have no since of urgency. I tell my child "run for the bus you're late." After a few quick steps up the driveway he forgets the assigned mission to hurry and slows to explore the road ahead.

I was volunteering in kindergarten with my little grasshopper when I was asked to conduct a simple test with all the children. First they cut a clay ball into half with a popsicle stick and then I would roll the clay into a hot dog shaped for them to size up and cut in half again. One by one the children were quick to show me they knew the meaning of half. Then it was my grasshoppers turn. At first I was sickened, he was doing it wrong. He was not marching in a row. As I watched he turned the hotdog lengthwise and slowly cut it into two long equal pieces. He was the only one that pointed out a different solution that day.

Ants are wonderful people I should know I am raising a few of them. They really do work hard to get the job done and bring order to the world. An ant's weakness is they are fear driven. I can always get my ant children to clean house. I just tell them what they are going to loose if they don't get their chores done. The public education system loves to tell children; you will never graduate, you will fail, you will never get a job, winter is coming. This fear tactic works well if you are an ant, you quickly get into line and do what ever you are told. Teachers love ant children. They are the 'A' students. The problem comes with lack of tolerance or understanding for non-ants. Fear used to control and bring order into the ant world does not work on grasshoppers. Far too many grasshopper children are being medicated into ants. Ask yourself, as a parent do I buckle under pressure to bring my grasshopper into line with the ants?

So how does one best teach and motivate a grasshopper child? Unlike ants that work for reward, a grasshopper sees intrinsic value in whatever he does. He is going to put a puzzle together for the fun of it, not for an 'A' on a paper. A grasshopper places greater importance on discovery and less on achieving prefect results. It is important that you recognize the efforts made and not just the end results. When to much focus is placed on achieving high grades or rewards, the message sent to the grasshopper is we value only the 'A' students and not your desire to learn. Appeal to his curiosity and desire to discover the world around him and you tap into the true power of a grasshopper.

I choose to raise my grasshopper as he is. I will protect his right to learn and discover like a grasshopper. He will face winter without fear. His curiosity will find solutions others have missed. He will lead us into the light and joy of summer.

Valerie Hasara - Editor/Publisher
Options2Day.com

Garmin USB ANT Stick 0101099900 $43.72 Garmin USB ANT Stick 0101099900

Ant $36 Ant

Garmin 010-10999-00 Wireless USB ANT™ Stick $49.95 "Garmin USB ANT Stick&#153 (010-10999-00) Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Garmin 010-10999-00 USB ANT stick automatically receives your activity data when your compatible fitness device is within range. With ANT stick you can transfer your data directly to Garmin Connect or Garmin Training Center software to analyze activities and create workouts. 010-10999-00 Features: Wireless USB ANT Stick, ANT Wireless Technology, Plugs Into The PC & Automatically Downloads Workout Data Stored On The FORERUNNER 50, Communicates With Wireless Sensors, 3-Meter Range, For Garmin GPS Models: Forerunner: 310XT, 405, 405CX, 50, FR: FR60"

GARMIN USA INC / USB ANT STICK FOR FORERUNNER 50 / 010-10999-00 $51.03 GARMIN USA INC - USB ANT STICK FOR FORERUNNER 50 - 010-10999-00

Ant Colony Behavior Observer with Magnifier and Stick $14.9 - "Raise" ants and observe the growth of ant colonies- Blue substance included attracts ants and lure them to build lairs- Comes with a magnifier for close up observations- Perfect science gadget for children- Caution: environmental temperature must be between 5'C ~ 40'C (41'F ~ 104'F)- Ants not included, get them from your lawnSpecificationsDimensions: 5.04 in x 4.13 in x 1.14 inWeight: 14.64 oz

Toysmith Ant Universe Ant Farm $23.63 Container that is filled with a translucent gel that serves as a tunnelling medium and also a food and water source. Includes 2x viewer tunnel starter stick and 16 page instruction booklet. Dimensions (H x W x L): 6.50 x 1.00 x 5.00. Format: Interactive Toys Gender: Unisex

Ant Universe Kit each $16.99 This kit allows you to study the behavior of ants in a self-contained environment. The 6 1/2 in. x 1 in. x 5 in. habitat is filled with a translucent gel that not only serves as a tunneling medium, but as a food and water source. Also included are a 2X viewer, an ant catcher, a tunnel starter stick, and a 16-page instruction facts booklet. Ants are not included.For ages 6+

Garmin USB ANT Stick for Forerunner 50 & 405 $41.99 Plugs into your computer's USB port. Automatically receives workout data when Foreunner 50 is within range, and stores it in Garmin Connect (web-based) or Garmin Training Center (software). Replacement for the one that came with your Forerunner 50 or Forerunner 405.

Garmin Forerunner 405 Green GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with USB ANT Stick & Heart Rate Monitor $219.99 NOTE: This listing is for a new Garmin Forerunner 405 in green with a USB ANT stick and Heart Rate Monitor. For other configurations, scroll down. Long runs, tempo runs, speed drills. You expect a lot from your body - and from your training gear. Meet the Garmin Forerunner 405. This GPS-enabled spor

Garmin Forerunner 405 Black GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with USB ANT Stick & Heart Rate Monitor $219.99 NOTE: This listing is for a new Garmin Forerunner 405 in black with a USB ANT stick and Heart Rate Monitor. For other configurations, scroll down. Long runs, tempo runs, speed drills. You expect a lot from your body - and from your training gear. Meet the Garmin Forerunner 405. This GPS-enabled spor

Ant Icon Ant 2.25 Magnet 10 pack by CafePress $29 For collectors or those who simply appreciate nature's hardest workers. This item is for you Designed exclusively for this store by Tim Warchocki. Ant 2.25 Magnet 10 pack Stick 'em up with our fun and functional magnets. Holds refrigerator notes, photos, dress up a school locker, room or workspace. Adds stylish fun to any room. Collect 'em, trade 'em. 2.25 inch diameter. Metal shell. Flat magnet

Ant War $19.99 Ant War

ZAGGskins (Ant) $19.99 ZAGGskins (Ant)

Crazy Ant $10 Crazy Ant

Ant Bully $4.99 Ant Bully

The Ant Bully $6.99 The Ant Bully

STrue Snowangel ANT Cupsreviewcomplete Magnet by CafePress $4 Great stocking stuffer This Whimsical ANT Snowangel will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face. Add this adorable STrue Snowangel ANT to your collection on the refrigerator Cupsreviewcomplete Magnet Stick 'em up with our fun and functional magnets. Holds refrigerator notes, photos, dress up a school locker, room or workspace. Adds stylish fun to any room. Collect 'em, trade 'em. 2.25 inch diameter. Metal shell. Flat magnet

Garmin Forerunner 405 Green GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with USB ANT Stick $219.99 NOTE: This listing is for a new Garmin Forerunner 405 in green with a USB ANT stick. For other configurations, scroll down. Long runs, tempo runs, speed drills. You expect a lot from your body - and from your training gear. Meet the Garmin Forerunner 405. This GPS-enabled sport watch tracks your tra

Garmin Forerunner 405 Black GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with USB ANT Stick $219.99 NOTE: This listing is for a new Garmin Forerunner 405 in black with a USB ANT stick. For other configurations, scroll down. Long runs, tempo runs, speed drills. You expect a lot from your body - and from your training gear. Meet the Garmin Forerunner 405. This GPS-enabled sport watch tracks your tra

The Fly And The Ant $6 The Fly And The Ant - Tamara Kaboutchek

Ant and Aardvark $19.99 Ant and Aardvark - T-Shirt

Grasshopper and the Ant $39.99 Grasshopper and the Ant - Giclee Print

Differ Ant $19.99 Differ Ant - Premium Poster

A.N.T. Farm $6.99 A.N.T. Farm - Poster

Army Ant $49.99 Army Ant - Giclee Print

Ant Hill $49.99 Ant Hill - Giclee Print

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