If I mention the word water, what do you see when you close your eyes?
Now, what if I gradually add words, like relaxing, peaceful, and breathtaking?
What if we progress to words like stormy, frozen, polluted, and thirsty?
How will these words alter the images in your mind?
Thinking about water can bring you back to places that you'd forgotten about long ago. It has the power to make you feel happy or sad, relaxed or terrified. It also has the power to help us realize how much we all have in common. Water connects all of us.
There is one book which can be used for all ages of children, and even adults, to spark meaningful discussions about the connection all people have with water. It's called, A Cool Drink of Water, by Barbara Kerley. This book is presented in the same beautiful way that You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World is. The author uses powerful photographs, and a few select words, to show us how different cultures of people around the world have the same basic need for water. They may have different ways to obtain it, and may go to great lengths in order to do so, but they still share this common need with everyone else. It's an eye opening book for all ages.
It's important to note that this book does not focus upon the problems that can occur when water is contaminated or polluted. I like the fact that it shows how all kinds of people have different ways of obtaining drinkable water, without mentioning much about the potential consequences of drinking contaminated water out of a well or a river. Because of the book's positive focus upon diversity and our common need for water, this book can be read and looked at with the youngest of children. Of course, it doesn't mean that you can't bring up more serious topics (such as pollution, contamination, and shortages) with older children. If you follow your child's lead, you might be surprised where the conversation goes.
No living thing can survive without pure, clean water. If we make this subject a topic of discussion with our children, then maybe in the future no living thing will ever have to.
So, the next time you pour your child a glass of water, ask him or her what the first thing that comes to mind is. You never know...
Please tune in tomorrow for part 2. .