Amara joins a girls’ soccer team, the Ladybugs, and at her first practice she feels shy. Mom kneels down and tells her it’s okay to watch first, and they take a slow, brave breath together. Teammates Mei and Lily invite her to play, and Amara shares one small thing about herself: she loves ladybugs. Then Mei takes her hand, and Amara joins in. Her new team turns out to be the Ladybugs! On game day it starts to rain. Coach Dee listens for thunder, hears none, and the girls play on, stomping through the puddles. Amara passes to Lily, Lily passes back, and Amara kicks the ball past the goalie for the winning goal. The Ladybugs say “good game” to the Foxes, Mom takes the muddy girls for ice cream, and back home, Mom sprays the muddy car seats and mats with Ecolosophy while the girls wipe.
The lesson: it’s okay to feel shy. Friends can start with one small hello, and a muddy day can be a great day.
Lessons in this book
Shy is okay. Watching first is a fine way to start. A slow breath can help.
One small hello. Friendships often start with sharing one small thing.
Include others. Mei and Lily invite a new teammate to play.
Good sports. Say “good game” to the other team, win or lose.
Clean up together. At home we use Ecolosophy. Grown-ups spray, kids wipe.
What your child practices
Calming breathsBreathing in slowly through the nose and out like blowing on a dandelion.
Introducing yourselfSaying your name and one thing you like.
TeamworkPassing the ball to score together.
Print awarenessWords light up as they’re read. Tap any word to hear it on its own.
Helping a shy child join in
Shyness is a normal temperament, not a problem to fix. Avoid labeling your child as “shy” in front of others, and don’t force participation. (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org)
Arrive a little early, so your child can warm up before a crowd forms. Let them watch first, and praise each small brave step. (HealthyChildren.org)
Practice a simple introduction at home: their name and one thing they like. A one-on-one playdate with a teammate can help, too.
Rain, thunder and lightning
“When thunder roars, go indoors.” If you can hear thunder, you’re close enough to be struck by lightning. Get inside a building or a hard-topped car. (National Weather Service)
Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back outside to play. (National Weather Service; American Academy of Pediatrics)
Light rain without thunder is usually fine for youth soccer. Bring a towel, dry socks and a change of clothes for the ride home.
Mud, cars and clean-up
Muddy outdoor play is good for kids. Wash hands before snacks, and change out of muddy clothes when you get home.
Shake out floor mats and brush off dry dirt first. Then, at home, Ecolosophy washes away mud and grime on seats and mats. A grown-up sprays, children can wipe, and the bottle goes back up high.
Cleaning safety
Cleaning products are for grown-ups. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. Avoid eyes. If swallowed or in eyes, call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
Made for calm play
No ads, no purchases, and nothing your child types leaves this device.
No timers and no losing. A wrong answer gets a gentle hint and another try.
Made for little fingers: big touch targets, and a friendly pointing hand appears if your child isn’t sure what to touch.
Talk about it afterwards
How did Amara feel at her first practice? What helped her?
How did Mei and Lily help Amara feel welcome?
What did Coach Dee listen for when it started to rain?
How did the Ladybugs score the winning goal?
Have you ever felt shy? What helps you feel brave?
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From Ecolosophy
These stories are free for everyone. Eco is the leaf-heart at the center of everything we make. Look for Eco’s other stories at ecolosophy.com.