Have fun in bee heaven! The Horse teaches 3- and 4-year-olds about death.

@TheHorse (220127)
Walnut Creek, California
April 23, 2021 3:43pm CST
Each day at the preschool is a bit different. Today, on the playground, the kids found a honey bee. It was trying to take of and fly away, but wasn't gaining much altitude. The kid were simultaneously, curious, excited and scared. I asked what we could catch her with, and one of the girls ran a brought back a small blue shovel from the sandbox. I was able to coax the bee into the shovel, take it over to some flowers on the other side of the fence, and drop it there. Of course, al of the kids were in tow, and agreed with me that the "tired" bee would be happiest where it could be near flowers to "get more energy." I suspect the bee was on her last bee legs, but I didn't mention that to the kids. To them, we rescued her. Soon after that, we started finding dead bees all over the playground--four in total. I said "let's give this bee a proper bee funeral" each time. We put each bee on a fallen leaf, dumped it over the fence near flowers, and said, "Have fun in bee heaven!" Later we found a scary spider (but not a dangerous one). I'll save that for another post. Off to Guitar Center for more workee.
17 people like this
8 responses
Nevena Zivkovic
@Nevena83 (65277)
• Serbia
23 Apr 21
With children, the fun never stops. You did well with the bees.
6 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Apr 21
These kids (mostly Mexican-American) are so empathetic and loving. I really enjoy teaching them.
4 people like this
Nevena Zivkovic
@Nevena83 (65277)
• Serbia
24 Apr 21
@TheHorse I wish the children never changed.
2 people like this
vanny
@vandana7 (100546)
• India
24 Apr 21
I agree...natural entertainment. Kids and pets.
2 people like this
Jo Ann
@akalinus (43334)
• United States
23 Apr 21
I wonder if a small amount of sugar water would have given the bee enough energy to fly home.
6 people like this
Jo Ann
@akalinus (43334)
• United States
28 Apr 21
@TheHorse If you do that, please let us know how it turns out.
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Apr 21
Good question. But I've rescued (along with Horse Jr.) many bees from drowning in our pool. If we have more tired bees next week, maybe I can do an "experiment" with them about a drop f sugar water and bees.
3 people like this
Go Crossbones
@crossbones27 (49703)
• Mojave, California
23 Apr 21
Such a scary world, how do kids make it these days? Sorry bad jokes, but kind of true.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Apr 21
Kids find wonder everywhere. But if their grownups are stressed, I bet it makes them more stressed.
3 people like this
Go Crossbones
@crossbones27 (49703)
• Mojave, California
23 Apr 21
@TheHorse Yeah why I never had any. Much props to you, I try to do similar stuff with my friends kids. One actually told me do not be a stranger we like you coming around. Sorry little homie, cannot keep that promise and its probably a good thing for you, not that I told him that, but did make me think.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Apr 21
@crossbones27 How old was the kid?
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (472004)
• Switzerland
24 Apr 21
I wonder what is killing the bees in that area, weird!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Apr 21
I don't think it's anything in particular. Bees get old and die, like the rest of us. I'll have to research their lifespan.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (472004)
• Switzerland
26 Apr 21
@TheHorse I always check the life span of the insects and animals that I see in my garden. It makes me sad to know that they live so little time.
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Apr 21
@LadyDuck I hadn't realized their life span was so short. I just checked it on Wikipedia.
1 person likes this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (80659)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Apr 21
Sounds like a very inspirational time was had by all, Poor bees but I know they are enjoying the flowers in the meadows up above,
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Apr 21
That's my home.
2 people like this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
23 Apr 21
Well done, you taught them a lesson we all have to learn in life.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Apr 21
Exactly. And without it being too painful.
3 people like this
vanny
@vandana7 (100546)
• India
24 Apr 21
Why are you so sweet..remember I eat pickles which are not sweet.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Apr 21
I have extra pickles and peppers on all of my sandwiches.
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181348)
• United States
24 Apr 21
You are so good with the kids.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Apr 21
My other favorite teacher there also ENJOYS playing with the kids. She does not just "herd" them, as some teachers do. There's even empirical research out there (I believe one of the main researchers in this area is named is Mary Dozier) suggesting that JOY in parenting/ECE teaching leads to secure attachments and better learning, self-esteem, leadership skills, etc.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (220127)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Apr 21
@LindaOHio Heh. Maybe it's extra joyous because I get to go home to Kitty at the end of the day.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181348)
• United States
26 Apr 21
@TheHorse That's why I never became a parent. I wouldn't have taken joy in it! You obviously enjoy the kids so much and are so good with them. They are privileged to have you as a mentor.
1 person likes this