There is one thing my family knows about me and its I don’t like squiggly animals and even though Octopuses are squiggly they are one animal that has always intrigued me because they have eight arms. And honestly, I really think moms should have eight arms, too!
Think about it. Moms are supposed to do everything, carry everything, remember everything, and somehow keep everything organized. Half the time, two arms just aren’t enough! Have you ever tried carrying eight bags of groceries, one child, your cell phone, your purse, and a drink all at the same time? Lord have mercy! You need a third arm just to open the front door.
And don’t even get me started on trying to find something in your purse while you’re holding everything else. That’s when you start wishing you had those extra arms! When the Lord was handing out eight arms to the octopuses, I think moms must have missed out. Laughing out loud!
Although, now that I think about it, I am not sure I would want all eight arms. Maybe two extra arms would be enough. Or perhaps a backpack built right onto my back, so I could carry everything I need without having to hunt for my phone, keys, or whatever else I managed to misplace that morning. Wouldn’t that be funny looking? Can you imagine walking around with two extra arms or a built-in backpack? I can just see people staring at me!
Since we’re talking about octopuses, I thought it would be fun to learn a little more about these fascinating ocean animals since there is a #Holiday dedicated to them. Now, I have a question for you. Did you know that octopuses have eight arms, three hearts, and blue blood? They are also incredibly good at hiding. Some can change the color and pattern of their skin to blend in with their surroundings.
Octopuses are intelligent animals, too. Researchers have observed them solving problems and learning from experience. They can squeeze through surprisingly small openings because they have soft bodies without bones, apart from their hard beak. I don’t know about you, but I think there is plenty here to get a child’s curiosity going!
This morning, I don’t just want to make you laugh about moms needing more arms. I also want to remind you that #homeschooling gives us opportunities to think outside the box and turn ordinary days into learning adventures. World Octopus Day is celebrated on October 8, making it a fun opportunity to introduce your children to an animal that is so different from the ones they see every day.
You could read about octopuses, watch an educational video, research how they live in the ocean, or learn why they have eight arms. Those three hearts and blue blood alone could lead to an interesting science lesson! But learning doesn’t always have to mean sitting at a table with a workbook in front of you.
Why not have your children create an octopus craft? You could use paper plates, construction paper, paint, or even recycled materials you already have at home. Let the children decide what kind of octopus they want to create. They can count eight arms, choose their colors, and share a few facts about their new ocean friend.
If you have the opportunity, you could also plan a family trip to a zoo or aquarium that has octopuses on display. Check the exhibits before you go, and let the children see these fascinating animals up close. Sometimes seeing an animal in person makes a bigger impression than reading about it in a book.
You could even let the children plan their own little Octopus Day adventure. Have them choose a craft, find an interesting octopus fact, or come up with a question they want to answer. You might be surprised by what they discover! I also thought I would share a fun book The Ultimate Octopus Guide for Kids: A Fun-Filled Chapter Book About the Ocean’s Smartest Creatures – For Kids Aged 8-12 you can read so you can get to know a little bit more about them before you go to the zoo or aquarium.
You could read the book together, let your children read it independently, or listen to an audiobook if that works better for your family. Afterward, talk about what you learned and see if your children can share a few fun facts about octopuses. Don’t forget if you read for at least 10 minutes to collect your ticket for our reading challenge.
Reading can be part of your homeschool science lesson, too. You can learn about ocean habitats, animal adaptations, and how octopuses survive in their underwater world, all while enjoying a good book. And remember, when you’re Christmas shopping this year, you will find this book in our Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List here at GreatfulMoments.com! You can add it to your Christmas shopping list while discovering other fun books and gifts for your family.
While we’re talking about reading, remember that if you read for ten minutes today, you’ll earn a ticket in our 10-Minute Reading & Activity Ticket Challenge! You don’t have to finish a whole book to participate. Ten minutes is all it takes. You can read a picture book, a chapter book, a comic, or even a book about ocean animals.
And parents, you can join in, too! Reading together is a wonderful way to spend time with your children, encourage their curiosity, and make reading part of your everyday family routine. So grab a book about octopuses, set aside ten minutes, and let the learning begin!
One of the things I love about homeschooling is that learning can happen in so many different ways. You can use a holiday, an animal, a book, a game, a craft, or a family outing to spark a child’s curiosity. And you don’t have to make every activity complicated. Sometimes the simplest ideas turn into the memories your family talks about for years.
So, whether you spend Octopus Day creating an eight-armed masterpiece at the kitchen table, learning about ocean animals, reading a book, visiting an aquarium, or simply laughing about how much easier life would be with a couple of extra arms, enjoy the time you spend together.
And moms, if you ever figure out how to carry all the groceries, your purse, your phone, and your drink without dropping anything, please share your secret with the rest of us! Until then, I will keep dreaming about my extra arms and that built-in backpack.
How will your family celebrate Octopus Day? Will you make a craft, read a book, study ocean animals, visit an aquarium, or come up with your own creative way to celebrate? If you are homeschooling, I would love to hear what your children create and what they learn. And if you have a favorite book about octopuses, share that with us, too! Come share your ideas with us at GreatfulMoments.com, because sometimes the best lessons begin with a little imagination, a lot of laughter, and a mom who wishes she had a few more arms.
GreatfulMoiments.com
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
