Stretching and Reading: A Fun and Engaging Duo for Kids - A Perfect Blend of Education and Activity

Welcome to another delightful episode of Rella B's YouTube channel! If this is your first time joining us, you're in for a treat. Today, we're mixing physical activity with the magic of storytelling in a way that will excite and engage children of all ages. This blog post will guide you through the activities and the wonderful story featured in the video, making it easy for you and your little ones to join in the fun from the comfort of your home.

Getting Ready with Stretching

Before diving into our captivating story, it's important to get both our brains and bodies ready for action. In this episode, Rella B begins with some beneficial stretches that are fun, simple, and kid-friendly. These stretches will help kids loosen up while preparing for an engaging storytime filled with valuable lessons.

Arm Stretches

We start by stretching our arms all the way up, reaching for the sky. This simple exercise promotes flexibility and helps elongate the muscles. Then, we stretch our arms out to the sides, as wide as we can, and to make it even more fun, we wiggle our fingertips as we stretch. It’s a great way to keep kids excited while working on flexibility!

Next, we try to touch our toes while keeping our legs straight. For kids who find this challenging, bending the knees slightly is a good alternative. This stretch is fantastic for improving hamstring flexibility and stretching the lower back.

Side Stretches

Next, Rella B guides us through some side stretches. We raise one arm over our head and lean to the opposite side, mimicking the action of a teapot tipping over. This move is repeated on both sides to ensure that every part of the body gets a good stretch, helping kids improve their flexibility and balance.

Leg Stretches and Squats

Now it’s time to stretch our legs! We stretch one leg out to the side while keeping the other leg bent. This stretch is perfect for improving hip and groin flexibility. After repeating on the other side, it’s time for squats. Squats are a great way to strengthen the legs and improve balance. Rella B makes it even more fun by doing five squats together, and then wrapping up the stretch with a big self-hug. It’s a beautiful moment of self-love and appreciation.

Riddle Time: Sharpen Your Brain!

Now that we’re physically warmed up, it’s time to activate our brains! Rella B introduces "Rella's Riddle," a fun and educational segment where kids guess the answer using three clues related to the upcoming story theme.

• Hint One: The subject comes in many forms like circles, triangles, or squares.
• Hint Two: It can be found in various places, including homes and nature.
• Hint Three: It’s often described by the number of shapes or angles it has.

As the kids eagerly guess, the answer is revealed: Shapes! Rella B teaches us how to say "shapes" in American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish, enriching the learning experience for children.

ASL: Using hands to form the outline of different shapes.
Spanish: Formas - Pronounced “fohr-mas.”

Storytime: "If Shapes Could Talk" - A Heartwarming Adventure

The story for today’s adventure is a Rella B original titled "If Shapes Could Talk." This charming tale introduces a little rhombus navigating a world full of diverse shapes. Along the way, themes of acceptance, empathy, and the dangers of comparison are subtly explored, offering a lesson children will love.

Meet the Shapely Family

Our main character, a little rhombus, introduces us to his unique family. His mother is a triangle, and his father is a square. They live in a beautifully distinctive dome-shaped house filled with cherished belongings and a vibrant garden.

Discovering Differences

At school, the rhombus meets classmates like Maxine, a hexagon with polka dots, and her striped square parents. Maxine’s large, opulent home, complete with a heart-shaped pool, leaves the little rhombus feeling envious. But this is where the story takes a meaningful turn.

Understanding Empathy

Maxine invites the rhombus to her house, and although the rhombus initially feels jealous of her wealth and possessions, Maxine opens up about her own struggles. She confides that she’s adopted and misses her biological parents. This moment of vulnerability helps the rhombus understand that material things don’t equate to happiness and that everyone has their own unique challenges.

Reflection and Apology

Returning home, the rhombus shares his newfound understanding with his parents. He realizes that he values their love, the beauty of their garden, and the laughter-filled moments they share together. The little rhombus learns an important lesson about contentment and the dangers of comparison.

The Moral of the Story: Embrace What You Have

Rella B wraps up the story with a powerful lesson: comparison can often lead to unhappiness. While it's natural to notice differences, it’s important to appreciate and embrace what we have. Whether it's a different flavor of ice cream or a new toy, true happiness comes from gratitude and understanding our unique blessings.

Support the author by purchasing your own copy here.

If you're looking for a screen-free version of this storytime, you can listen to it below.

 

Rella B also offers a free printable activity for kids to participate in after listening. You can download it here.

Conclusion and Participation: Join the Fun!

Rella B ends the episode by introducing the segment’s co-creators and invites children to become co-creators themselves. By engaging in storytelling, kids can see their names featured and even have the chance to participate in future episodes.

To receive a shoutout, check out the "Want to Participate" tab on rellabbooks.com and get involved in the magic of reading. This interactive approach helps foster a love for reading and learning in children.

Through a delightful mix of stretching, riddles, sign language, and heartwarming stories, this episode of Rella B's YouTube channel encourages children to engage in both physical activity and critical thinking. Join us next time for another exciting adventure, and as Rella B says, "Toodles!"