31 Days. 31 Flowers. Teaching kids about Tulips…

Literature, legends and art bloom with FLOWERS, from lovely little nursery rhymes to sophisticated epic poetry and great myths and masterpieces.  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 TULIP – Once known as the tulipa, tulippa, tulipant or Turkes Cap, the tulip was introduced from Turkey into Western Europe in the 16th century.  Interestingly enough, the tulip was thought to resemble a Turk’s cap.

Different colored tulips are thought to represent different things: Red tulips are associated with true love; Purple represent royalty; Yellow, cheerfulness and sunshine; White, forgiveness; Pink, fine things and exuberance for life.

Holland took the tulip into its very heart, soul and national treasury… and there is a beautiful little children’s book that gives the history, the love and the very gift of the 1600′s Dutch Tulip Trade:

 

The tulip is also said to represent Declaration of Love and/or Perfect Love. Take the tulip into your home and feel its beauty… its layers and layers of magic and love.  The tulip appeals to children with its beautiful array of colors and its stature.  In the words of 19th century British poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

And tulips, children love to stretch
Their fingers down, to feel in each
Its beauty’s secret nearer.
E. B. Browning—A Flower in a Letter.

Teach your kids this lovely verse. Talk about the tulip.  Draw the tulip.  Photograph the tulip.  Write little poems about the tulip.  Read The Great Tulip Trade.

Boys and girls alike will bloom with delight!