Curious George Plays Soccer
#3 of 203 in Curious George Series
on Goodreads (131)
What’s inside...
When George sees his friend Gracie playing soccer in the park, he's eager to join in-so eager that he grabs the ball with his hands and throws it in the net! Lucky for George, there's a soccer camp starting at the rec center where he can learn the basic rules of the game and all about dribbling, passing, and what it means to be a team player. George has fun-and gets into a little mischief-at camp, but it's not until the final game that he finds the perfect position for him. When he does, he proves to his teammates, coach, and himself that he's their MVM-Most Valuable Monkey!
Discussion points
What do you think made Curious George want to play soccer?
How do you feel when you try something new like George did?
What do you think are the important rules when playing a team sport?
How do you think the story would change if George didn’t play soccer?
What can we learn from George's experience in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about trying new activities, similar to how George felt trying soccer.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and rules in sports and other group activities.
Relate the story to your child’s personal experiences with sports or new activities to deepen their connection to the narrative.
Ask your child to predict alternative endings to the story to foster creative thinking.
Highlight the moral lessons from George's adventures and discuss how they can be applied in real-life situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In the story, Curious George joins a soccer team and learns the importance of working together with his teammates to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their daily interactions by participating in team sports, group projects at school, and collaborative games, learning that cooperation can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Following Rules
Explanation: Through his soccer game adventures, Curious George learns why rules are important in sports and in life. His experiences help him and the readers understand the consequences of not following them.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of adhering to rules at home, in school, and during play to ensure safety and fairness for everyone involved.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: Curious George's natural inquisitiveness leads him to try out soccer, demonstrating to children that it's okay to explore new interests and learn from new experiences.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to embrace their curiosity by trying new activities, asking questions, and exploring the world around them, which enhances their knowledge and growth.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Mistakes
Explanation: When George makes a mistake during the game, he shows resilience by continuing to play and trying to do better, illustrating the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that mistakes are a natural part of learning and that they should keep trying and learning from their errors in any activity they undertake.
Example Lesson: Joy of Participation
Explanation: Despite the challenges, George experiences joy and satisfaction from playing soccer, teaching kids that participating and having fun is more important than winning.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value participation and enjoy the moment whether it's during sports or other group activities, focusing on having fun and the experience rather than solely on winning.