31 Days. 31 Flowers. Teaching kids about Violets…

Literature blooms with FLOWERS, from lovely little nursery rhymes to sophisticated epic poetry.  Knowing the names of flowers, the references to flowers, the symbols of flowers, the language of flowers gives kids a blooming head start in understanding literature and enhancing literacy.

Each day in May, a FLOWER will be presented here at 31 Days.  31 Flowers – 31 Ways to engage your kids in literature, literacy and life in just a few moments a day.  Enjoy!

The Violet:

The VIOLET… the sweet-smelling flower in colors of purplish-blue, mauve, pale yellow or white that heralds the approach of summer.  The Violet is known for its wonderful modesty and watchfulness as it shyly nestles in long grass or rests along a rocky nest.

The Violet grows both wild and/or cultivated as an ornamental garden flower, particularly suited as a border flower.  Legend tells us that the Violet is the flower of Zeus, King of the Gods.

Think of the Violet as embroidery of the ground, weaving its way like silken thread through grass and earth and fallen flower petals.  17th century English poet John Milton said it best when he wrote, Underfoot the Violet, Crocus and Hyacinth with rich inlay Broidered the ground.

Get outside with your kids today.  Find the modest Violet peeking out at you.  Draw tiny pictures of the Violet if there are none to be found, and hide them for wonderful discovery.  Become Zeus as you weave your way through the loveliness of the sweet Violet inlay embroidery.

Celebrate spring as your kids learn and bloom, and take a few moments to share this lovely poem by Cristina (Georgina) Rossetti, 19th century British poet…

From Sing Song, a Nursery Rhyme Book (before 1873)

O wind, where have you been,
That you blow so sweet?
Among the violets
Which blossom at your feet.

The honeysuckle waits
For Summer and for heat
But violets in the chilly Spring
Make the turf so sweet.