Smile REPTILIA Event

On February 6th, 2011 the Smile. team got together to host an integrative learning and activities event for Smile. families at the Olive Grove School. This event was different then many previous events as it featured reptiles.

The event began with several activities, children drew, made personalized t-shirts with their own artistic flair and others worked on their jump shots making good use of the basketball nets and the moderately talented volunteers.

These activities were followed by a captivating presentation by the insightful Reptila representative Nick. Nick captured and held the attention of fourty families and volunteers with interesting facts and stories about the variety of creatures he had brought to share with the Smile. families. Each child had the opportunity to gently touch the creatures that ranged from a quiet turtle, a few slithering snakes, a blue tongue skink and an enormous monitor lizard, which seemed very interested in the sights and sounds of the excited children. Each child patiently waited to touch the reptiles and ask some very intelligent questions. Parents encouraged bravery and captured each moment by snapping photos.

In addition to the lizards, parents had attended an educational workshop led by Certified Nutritional Practitioner Sakina Molu. Sakina shared with the parents the importance of a healthy breakfast. She shared helpful tips, ingredient substitutions and intriguing facts. Sakina also gave tips on the types of foods that can be prepared and be preserved for a few days for the families who have little time for meal preparation. She encouraged to lead healthier lives by making subtle substitutions for example choosing of a natural sweetener such as agave, stevia and organic honey rather then refined sugars, allowing each of us to have their cake and eat it to.

Stay tuned for the next Smile. event!