The Importance of Celebrating What’s Right in Our World - Tea Parties!
Do you remember having tea parties as a child? In November, I attended a Public Montessori Educators in Texas conference held at the Wilson PK – 8 campus, an HISD Montessori campus in Montrose. There, I participated in a workshop on tea and learned what a wonderful teaching tool and bonding experience it could be for children and adults to sit together for a tea “party”. As a result, I am hosting Friday “Tea Parties with the Principal” at Garden Oaks. In fact, our new school board member, Anna Eastman joined us Friday, January 15th! You, too, can have fun at home with a delicious caffeine-free herbal tea and celebrate special time with your child. Share these fun facts about tea with your children and friends while relaxing with a nice warm cup of tea.
While drinking tea is customary in many cultures world-wide, in Korea, the true meaning of a cup of tea is determined by these five steps:
Five Steps for a Harmonious Retrospection Toward Thyself (includes the five senses of Human Body)
- Step one: EAR - Listen to the sound of the boiling water, mediate and calm emotions
- Step two: EYES – Visually appreciate the slightly tinted green or yellow shade of nature
- Step three: HAND – Feel the warmth and energy generated by the tea
- Step four: NOSE – Close your eyes and inhale the scent of fresh tea leaves
- Step five: MOUTH – Enjoy every energy-providing drop
There are many wonderful books geared to children about and including tea such as Miss Spider’s Tea Party and Listen to the Wind that are sure to delight your child. Others, such as Greg Mortensen, acclaimed author and Nobel Peace Nominee have found tea to be a tool for social change as detailed in his book, Three Cups of Tea. His efforts have provided educational opportunities for over 60,000 children in Pakistan and Afghanistan including girls who were formerly excluded from educational settings. Mr. Mortensen will be speaking in Houston Feb 8 from 7-9pm at Jones Hall. Enjoy!
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