St. John's Steppingstones Preschool in Savage,MN

As Nancy and I set up our equipment to do a show on my book If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure, just a few feet away from us Steppingstones Preschool teachers successfully continue with lessons in their farm unit with 3-4 year-old students. I watch and listen and marvel at their ability to retain the focus of the students.  You can't let up on your energy for a moment with this age group, even as cute as they are.
Below, students in the first group ask questions after the show. Many of the teachers wore bib overalls today, including Mrs. Pfeiffer standing buy the door.

I did a morning and afternoon show on Thursday, April 14, and a morning and afternoon show on Friday, April 15. The students were fabulous! In fact, this was the first time I've encountered groups of students this young who actually knew how to call cattle the way farmers call them. "Come, Boss. Come, Boss."

Second group of students

Third group of students

Below, group four turns to wave and say "Hi" to Nanc as she snaps their picture.

Students line up patiently to take their turn to feel the oats in the coffee can.

All the groups showed patience and curiosity throughout the shows. Usually, during what is supposed to be "question" time, students this young will tell stories about their animals or their grandparents' farm. I like to listen to the stories because I know storytelling is important to everyone, but these students created and asked more original questions than I've ever experienced with kids this young. The parents and teachers should be proud.
I'd like to thank all the teachers for having me do my show in their classrooms, and I especially thank Mrs. May for arranging the event.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

BBE Elementary, Brooten, MN

Why are these students holding up two fingers?

Because they know that those are the two fingers used to teach a newborn calf to drink from a pail.

St. John's Grandkids, Springfield, MN

"We used to all stand when we played,"she says as she grins. "Now we like to sit down."

Visit to Berean Education Center

As Nancy and I drive into the parking lot on April, 26, 2010, at Berean Education Center in Burnsville, only a few miles from our house, I comment, "I'm always eager to teach and entertain little kids. These will be pre-schoolers from 4-5 years old. I may not always succeed, but I'll have fun trying."

Nancy just smiles and assures me I'll do OK, a reaction I was  probably fishing for anyway.

As we unload our equipment, parents drop off their kids and a teacher escorts a group of students to class across the campus. They look like they could be second or third graders.

Once inside we meet a few teachers and set up our equipment. As I run through the pictures to ensure the projector is set, one of the staff express that she thinks her group of 3-year-old children would enjoy the program.
I assure her they would and add, "Starting time is 10:00 AM. Bring them in."

The kids range from ages 3-5 and are an attentive bunch of students. I've noticed that kids in pre-school facilities eagerly listen and ask questions.


As I usually do for pre-schoolers, I've prepared a shortened, 20-minute version of my show, but it looks like these kids could easily go longer.





Before I read the story, I explain a bit about what it is like growing up on a farm, emphasizing that chores play an important role every day, 365 days a year. The kids listen intently as I say, "Everyone on the farm helps with chores before school and after school, even the young children."


Throughout the show, I feel privileged to be performing for these great kids at this fine education center, where the staff handles kids with professional manners and love. The kids are lucky to be here.

Staff members are friendly but busy so we have little time to chat after the show.

As we load the car, I say to Nancy, "What a great place to send kids. They seem so bright. Did you hear those questions? I hope I did OK with the answers."

"You did fine," She says.

Honestly, I didn't mean to fish for approval, but I'm always grateful for her support.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson