lj Davis

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Expanding on Themes in A Simple Brown Leaf

The three core themes expressed in A Simple Brown Leaf  are: 

Interconnection of All Living Ecosystems

At the end of the story, this theme is expressed succinctly, both within the narrative and in the pictorial representation of the grandmother and grandchildren, hummingbird and flower, and leaf and squirrel. Within the text, this theme is expressed simply in the line, “All creatures need each other to survive.”

This theme is significant for children. In the past, able to play freely and in open spaces, children were able to learn about their relationship with the Earth, its creatures, and themselves. Through play and exploration, children were able to see differences in the way that the natural environment functions and their role and impact on specific ecosystems.

Unfortunately, children are less likely to play with abandon and, due to urban sprawl, there are less open spaces in which to enrich spirit. This is a crucial component missing from society today. Children develop a sense of worth through their interactions with the environment (i.e. climbing the highest tree, building the secret fort). In today’s society, however, where rampant growth is a problem, many children do not have the opportunity to connect with those elements that are essential in helping them forge a sense of self and their importance in the world.

A Simple Brown Leaf gives parents and grandparents the opportunity to lead a child on a journey of self-exploration.

Suggested reading:

A Child's Garden by Molly Dannenmaier. 

The Geography of Childhood by Gary Paul Nabhan and Stephen Trimble.

The Great Outdoors - Restoring Children's Right to Play Outside by Mary S. Rivkin.

Every Living Creature has a Purpose

"All creatures give each other purpose." This is a fundamental human truth of which we are all not fully aware. In the story, the leaf truly believes that it has reached the end of its days because it has fallen from the tree. The character understands its function while on the tree, to gather light and rain, and does not believe that it may have another purpose. When the squirrel captures the leaf, the leaf is surprised that it would have another purpose because it never really thought about the alternatives.

This is the primary theme of the book and one, I believe, has future scientific implications. It is my belief that the current generation of children will usher in a new Golden Age of scientific and intellectual development. It will be a Golden Age because they will be able to imagine things in ways that have never been imagined before. They will be able to see the alternatives, doing so because they will grow up with the notion that "anything is possible." 

One way to foster this "out-of-the-box" thinking is to encourage children to look at the alternatives. To see things from different perspectives. To question and to postulate theories that may not be the norm. Our children have great minds and, if set on a course early in life, they will be able to form ideas and develop inventions that will change the world. 

The key is to never underestimate that a child thinks about what they are going to accomplish, what they are going to strive to do, what they are going to become. Every child has a purpose. If this notion is fostered at an early age, a child will develop a confidence core of self-esteem that will propel him/her to greatness. 

Everyone wants to know why they are here. Why they are important. What their existence means to another. Even children! Sometimes this gets lost in the day-to-day grind, but it is necessary to realize that children search for the answers just as we adults do. Never assume that your child knows that they are needed and are important in your life. Say the words everyday that tell them why they are here, what their existence means to you, and why they are important in your life and for the world.

One's Importance can Change and Develop

You may think this odd, but this theme is meant more for the "children at heart" than it is for actual children. Many of us feel unable to make a difference in the lives of the people around us. We work, we raise our children, we watch television and read magazines and wonder how we can possibly make a difference in a person's life. We constantly worry if we are doing the right thing and if, when we die, whether it will have mattered. It does! Even though you may not realize that you make a difference, you do! The key is that you may not think you're making a difference. You may pass someone in the street and say "hi," and that person is better because of it. You may tell a child, "You're such a great reader," and unbeknownst to you, you have set them on his life's course. This kind of importance is sometimes unmeasured, you may never know the affect you've had. But, as there are no random acts in nature, your being here, at this point in your life, is where you are supposed to be. 

Your importance may not even manifest itself until your later life. When you thought that your purpose in life was to raise a quality child, your purpose in your 60s may be to raise a quality grandchild. You may be an executive, making a difference in the quality of life of individuals throughout the world, but you might also be meant to make a difference in the life of your next door neighbor. You simply don't know.

Be open to the possibility. Realizing that your purpose changes and develops throughout your lifetime is one that may be hard to grasp. In the story, the leaf is perplexed when it realizes that the squirrel is going to use it to line its nest. In the end, however, it gives itself over to the notion and is renewed. Don't despair that you are not important. You are!

This concept is one that should be shared with a child. Imagine the confidence of a child that knows it will continue to affect people throughout his/her life in meaningful ways. Imagine that a child realizes that his/her words, spoken even in passing, have consequence and importance for others. What a tremendous generation of children we could create.

A Short Note about Volunteering:

We have a terrible crisis in the United States that affects our children everyday - it is an educational crisis. There is simply no way that a teacher can teach a large group of children and be able to provide each and every one with the attention they need. This is particularly true with reading. 

Did you know that the state of Arizona projects the amount of prisons to be built based on the literacy levels of students? Did you know that if a child cannot read effectively by the third grade, he/she is more likely to have poor self-esteem? In the past, only the rich were able to afford books and learn to read. The "lower classes" were not privy to information and, often, were not allowed to read. This is particularly true of women. 

We live in a country where every child has access to books. Even children that are unable to purchase books, usually have access to a library. We need to get our children reading.

This is where you come in. One of the greatest things you can do is to volunteer to help a child read. I know from experience that, apart from raising my children, this has been the most important thing that I have ever done. Twice a week I spend a small portion of time to work with children on reading skills and making words. Within a matter of weeks, I can see astounding changes, not just in reading levels but in self-esteem. This is key. Reading and self-esteem are integrally connected.

When you think about how you can make a difference in the world, think about volunteering to read with a child. There is not a public or private school in the United States where you couldn't walk in and ask to volunteer to read. You may need to have a TB test or complete an application, but any school would love to have you for 15 minutes a week. It makes an incredible difference!

Suggested Reading:

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.

Every Person a Reader by Stephen D. Krashen.

www.wonderofreading.org/statistics.htm

A Quick Note About Reading

Reading to your child at a young age is one of the most effective tools for expanding his mind and instilling a lifelong love of learning. Reading a good book allows your child to travel to places she has never been, to meet people she has never met, and to develop an understanding of how to deal with a variety of physical and emotional situations.

Reading to your child also helps you develop an emotional connection. Whether you have her cuddle up in your lap, nestle with him while he is winding down for bed, or read to her while waiting for food in a restaurant, you are connecting. Reading to your child from an early age will also help him be successful in school. Reading out loud will help him learn language and become familiar with words. Reading is the foundation for developing an understanding of conceptual information and it sparks imagination!

Your child is never too young to be read to. Frankly, you should begin reading to your child while in the womb. During this time, use reading as a way of familiarizing the baby to your voice. If both parents take turns reading, it is even better. Imagine, before the baby is even born, the act of reading helps you connect and it can help parents reconnect with each other. When your child is born, the adventure begins. During the "easy" phase of infancy when your child is not physically able to explore his/her world, reading to your child helps him feel loved and comforted. Nestled in your arms with a favorite picture book, your baby will, at first, seem unaware of what is going on. But is she?

When my daughters were infants, I would read a series of picture books called the "Find The" board books by Stephen Cartwright. These books have lively illustrations, but no words. Guided by a series of images that included pictures of children and animals, each book asked children to find the piglet, the duck, the teddy, the puppy, the bird, or the kitten. When my daughters were very small, I would hold the book in front of them and while their heads wobbled about, I would ask, "Ceiley, where's the bird." Of course, there was no response, so I would point out where the bird was and, in doing so, I would describe the picture and put it into context. For several months, I would pull out the book and ask, "Where's the piglet!" One day, an interesting thing happened. When I asked the magical question, my daughter lifted a chubby finger and pointed to the piglet. Had she understood what I had been saying all along? I will probably never know but one thing is certain, before the age of one, she knew what a piglet was, what the word "find" meant, and she used her magnificent brain to tell her finger to point to the picture of the pig. All because I read a book. Her mind was indeed a blank slate upon which I could impress ideas and concepts.

Reading to your child should become second nature. Anytime, anywhere is an opportunity to read to your child. During the hectic toddler days, books can be lifesavers in public places. If you have to stand in line at a bank, take a book bag along filled with engaging books that your child enjoys. Before they get fussy, take out a book and start reading. Yes, it is very difficult to read to your child while you are holding him and standing up at the same time! Instead, put her in a stroller and bend down. As you read to your child, you are using your time preciously. By bending down, you are coming down to his level. By reading, you are expanding her knowledge and growing neurons. Make your waiting time, his reading time!

Reading while waiting also works well if you have several children with you. Although my daughters are 11 and 6, my oldest daughter will still lean over and read along to the book I am reading to my youngest, despite carrying along her own stash of Harry Potter and Manga books. The key is that, by making reading part of your child's everyday experiences, she will come to expect that reading is the norm.

If you are not a reader and do not enjoy reading, you have a great obstacle to overcome. If you do not enjoy reading and/or you were not brought up with reading in the home, it will be doubly difficult for you to get in the habit of reading. Please, don't let this stop you! The exciting thing about being human is that you can change anytime. Start slowly. Find a topic that interests you and start reading. Buy a bookcase and make it a goal to slowly fill it up with children's books, classics, or whatever else suits your fancy.

Read to your child. Engage his imagination. Don't assume that children read at a certain age. There are so many things that you can do to prepare them for the day when they start to decipher letters and words on their own. Lay the foundation early in life and your child will reap wonderful rewards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2006 LJ Davis