Early Pleasures and Pastimes (Early Settler Life)
Early Settler Life Series
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Describes the family life, music, worship services, picnics, holidays, courtship, weddings, and seasonal activities of early settlers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What daily activities from the book would you like to try? Why?
How do you think playing games in early settler times was different from how we play games today?
Can you imagine living in the time period of the book? What would be the most exciting and the most challenging parts?
Which pastime from the book do you think would be the most fun to share with your friends or family?
How do you think the children from the book learned and played differently without modern technology?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate pastimes from the early settlers to your child's current hobbies to create a personal connection.
Encourage your child to visualize and describe how they might adapt an early settler game to play with modern-day materials.
Ask your child to draw or create a simple craft inspired by the toys and games mentioned in the book to deepen their understanding and engagement.
After reading, spend a family day trying out some of the pastimes discussed in the book to make historical connections come alive.
Utilize open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer to encourage your child to think critically and express their thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The book illustrates how early settlers depended on each other to build communities and survive. Through joint efforts in building homes and farming, children see teamwork in action.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Value of Hard Work
Explanation: The narrative showcases settlers working hard to cultivate land and maintain their households, emphasizing that perseverance and effort yield results.
Real-World Application: This lesson can motivate children to diligently complete their school assignments and chores, understanding that their efforts will lead to success.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: As the settlers encounter and overcome various challenges, the story highlights resilience as a key trait for success.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to embrace challenges, whether in learning new skills or resolving conflicts, with a resilient attitude.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: The book delves into how settlers used creative solutions for their everyday problems, showing innovation in its early forms.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think creatively in their problem-solving, applying imaginative thinking in school projects or daily dilemmas.