Teeda Says, 'Be Patient'
illustrations by
What’s inside...
It’s 'Bring a Pet to School Week' at Audrey’s school and she is so excited! Everyone gets to bring in a small animal that their classmates can learn about and see up close. Audrey wonders what she should bring and ultimately decides on butterflies, inspired by her grandmother, Teeda. Teeda helps Audrey prepare to share about butterflies with her classmates. During the week, Audrey and her classmates learn that understanding the wonder of butterflies requires patience, as advised by Teeda.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Teeda had to learn to be patient?
Can you think of a time when you had to wait for something you really wanted?
How did Teeda feel when things weren't happening quickly? How do you feel in similar situations?
What are some things you can do to make waiting easier?
How did being patient help Teeda in the end?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a calm and curious tone when discussing Teeda's experiences and feelings, as it encourages your child to open up about their own feelings.
Relate the story to your child's life by discussing similar situations they've faced, which will help them connect with the themes of the book.
Praise your child for instances when they have shown patience, reinforcing the positive behavior and connecting it to the story’s message.
Encourage your child to think of creative solutions or activities they can do while waiting, just as Teeda might have done.
Finish your reading session by summarizing the importance of patience and asking your child to reflect on what they could learn from Teeda's story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of patience
Explanation: Teeda, the main character, encounters various scenarios where she must wait, such as taking turns on the playground or waiting for her favorite cookies to bake.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by managing their expectations and learning to wait their turn during school activities or while playing games with friends.
Example Lesson: Understanding the concept of time
Explanation: Teeda learns to use different methods like timers and clocks to understand how long she needs to wait.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp time management, such as understanding how long homework might take or when to start getting ready for bed.
Example Lesson: Developing coping strategies
Explanation: Throughout the book, Teeda finds ways to distract herself and stay calm during periods of waiting.
Real-World Application: Children can use similar strategies to cope with impatience, like reading a book, counting, or playing a quiet game while waiting.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: Teeda learns why patience is essential, not just for her own benefit, but to be considerate of the needs and feelings of others around her.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to be mindful of how their actions affect others, encouraging them to practice patience in social settings to maintain harmony.
Example Lesson: The rewards of being patient
Explanation: At the end of the book, Teeda experiences the positive outcomes that come from being patient, like enjoying her cookies better after anticipating them.
Real-World Application: Children start to see that patience can lead to more satisfying and successful outcomes, such as a well-completed school project or a more enjoyable playtime.