Rah for Rodents

 

January 21 is Squirrel Appreciation Day, and 2020 was the Chinese Year of the Rat. What do squirrels and rats – and porcupines -- have in common? They are both rodents, along with about forty percent of all mammal species -- and found on every continent except Antarctica. Gnaw on these and other facts and fun with the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Here are 10 fun facts about rats: https://www.natgeokids.com/au/discover/animals/general-animals/facts-about-rats/
• Rats have been around a LONG time, and are great travelers. Read about their history at https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-where-did-rats-first-come-from-121307
• Check out the history of the lab rat at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/history-lab-rat-scientific-triumphs-ethical-quandaries-180971533/
• Indeed, rats may  be the unexpected heroes of the working animal world: https://www.treehugger.com/rats-unexpected-heroes-of-the-working-animal-world-4861866

 

CREATE:

• What’s true or false about rats? Play this game of true and false about rats at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7dipg3u47VU
• Watch how to make a maze game by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97gSldzVNcA
• Celebrate the end of the Year of the Rat before the next Chinese New Year with these crafts: https://artsymomma.com/cute-mouse-rat-crafts.html

 

CARE:

• Rodents can be risky for children. If your home has rodents, follow these medically-approved safety tips: https://childrensmd.org/browse-by-topic/safety/rodents-children-medical-risks-mice-rats/
• What should you do if you’re bitten by a mouse? Follow these directions: https://www.healthline.com/health/bit-by-a-mouse
• Rodents may be pests, but they can also be pets (more than just missing an “s”). Here’s how to select a pet rodent – and how to care for it: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/selecting-pet-rodent

 

CAREERS:

From caring for rodents to ending them, there’s a career for you. You can also research them, photograph or draw them, sell them, or treat others because of them. Dig into these rodent careers.

https://www.pestworld.org/mission-history/careers/

https://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/313/Pest-Control-Worker.html

https://whyy.org/segments/when-your-job-includes-experimenting-on-animals/

I Protest (Peacefully)

 

It’s inevitable that at some point, you don’t like to do what someone else is doing – or is making you do, be it giving away your favorite toy – or someone bullying you. What can you do? These activities can show you what action you might take – and the consequences of bad actions.

 

CONNECT:

• Hear and watch the children’s book Let the Children March at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnptqGnM4xQ
• Learn about and listen to music that was written to protest and the unequal treatment of black people at https://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2020/06/08/classical-kids-music-lessons-protest-music
• Protests reflect a broad spectrum of actions and a huge mix of social issues. This video explains non-violent protests. It is geared for teens and adults, but is very accessible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP-mv5IjFzY

 

CREATE:

• Help kids find their voice why supporting ways to help families stand up against injustice: https://www.aeinstein.org/nonviolentaction/198-methods-of-nonviolent-action/
• As citizens, we should be engaged in our community: here’s how to go on a protest as a family: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/tips-for-protesting-with-kids/
• Try some of these activities that can help kids handle bullying situations: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/classroom/elementary/

 

CARE:

• Use this guide to talk with youngsters about protests: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5694f5c6bfe87314267a8a1b/t/5a9fe809e4966b2fb99f7627/1520429067378/Talking+With+Kids+6+and+Under.pdf
• Especially now, news on television shows much violence and disinformation. Here are some good practices about screen time use: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
• Active listening is vital for effective communication within the family and among friends, especially where there is disagreement. Try some of these tips: https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/communication/activelistening.html#:~:text=Active%20listening%20is%20a%20good,what%20she%20has%20to%20say.&text=give%20your%20full%20attention%20to,other%20things%20you%20are%20doing

 

CAREERS:

Want to address injustice? Want to make your community better? It might lead to a lifelong career: as a politician, community organizer, social worker, journalist, teacher, lawyer, and more. Explore the possibilities through these websites.

https://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/job-search/10-careers-that-let-you-fight-for-equality

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/magazine/careers-in-social-justice-and-human-rights/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-careers-that-let-you-f_b_1586777