Meadow Hill

Tots kids celebrate the old west

By Louise Haight
Posted 11/19/20

There is something about the outside of a horseThat is good for the inside of a man.”Winston Churchill 

Children in Miss Liz’s class at Tots-N-Us Nursery School and Daycare were …

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Meadow Hill

Tots kids celebrate the old west

Posted

There is something about the outside of a horse
That is good for the inside of a man.”
Winston Churchill 

Children in Miss Liz’s class at Tots-N-Us Nursery School and Daycare were excited to learn about the wild west during Western Dress-up Day.  They were adorable in their handsome cowboy/cowgirl hats that would protect their eyes from a too bright sun and a neckerchief folded about their neck like a scarf, to protect their faces from exposure to any loose soil or wild winds that might pop up without warning, especially when they were rounding up horses, on the wide open range to bring home to their corral.  

Therefore, their warm and colorful plaid western shirts were sure to protect them from any chilly autumn breezes.  The cowgirls and cowboys definitely required proper riding clothes, which are jodhpurs or riding breeches made loose above the knees and tight-fitting below the knees. 

Jodhpurs are also an ankle-high boot fashioned with a strap for safety reasons.  No one wishes to fall off a horse because of ill-fitting clothes, so you see, there was a strict dress code for safety reasons.
The children had a keen interest in learning about cowboys and horses, the romantic cowboy and his magnificent horse.  But they could better learn about this marvelous partnership between horse and man, when they were older and more familiar with our local libraries, to research this wonderful friendship.  The facts they learned were age appropriate and exciting, as they understood that in the old West, cowboys were mounted ranch hands who tended cattle or horses, and cowgirls were girls or women who tended cattle or horses.  

Horses had many jobs and a horse-drawn coach that ran regularly between stations, carrying passengers, and dropping off letters and newspapers was a mighty important job in the old West.  
Farmers used horses to pull the machinery needed in growing vegetable gardens.  Our Native Americans relied on their horses for hunting animals and gathering foods for their families, and for all their travels.  They seemed to be fond of Pintos, a pretty spotted horse or pony having patches of white and some other color.  Horses were valuable to the town sheriff who was brave after all, as he must chase after the outlaws.

This was a fun lesson because horses are amazing animals and have many outstanding talents.  The boys and girls magically transformed their little school chairs into horses with handmade horsey faces, and together, horses and cowboys/cowgirls became best friends, and were going to ride out on the open range, for a last hurrah.  When they returned back to the ranch and the horses were rested, it was peaceful to sit and relax around a make-believe campfire and roast marshmallows, and perhaps sing and share happy stories about their newest friends, beautiful horses, who are strong and loyal to man.  The old West was certainly brimming with adventure, courage, and excitement!  Great job, Tots!

On November 13, Knights of Columbus participated in Coats for Kids program.  They had twenty-four coats to donate, at the new location for the Deacon Jack Seymour Food Pantry that is in the Parking lot behind Sacred Heart School, on 9W/Robinson Avenue and Ann Street.  When families struggle to clothe their children with warm coats in the winter, Knights of Columbus councils help to meet this basic need with the Coats for Kids program.  Councils across North America are able to purchase new winter coats for children at a discount, and to distribute them to children in need in their local communities.  Msgr. Henry O’Carroll Knights of Columbus Council 444 have been committed to this worthy cause for several years, because they are loving, compassionate, and kind Knights.  Thank you for an early Christmas present!

May you always have an angel at your side.