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	<title>Christmas &#8211; Smart Tools For Life</title>
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	<description>Peace education, conflict transformation, SEL for little kids</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2018 13:29:18 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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	<title>Christmas &#8211; Smart Tools For Life</title>
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		<title>Santa Visits The Barnyard Buddies and Gets a Message!</title>
		<link>https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/santa-visits-barnyard-buddies-learns/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Julie Penshorn]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2018 13:29:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anger management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bully behavior]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children's music for peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conflict resolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[experiential learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids' book]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids' music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Santa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Smart Tools for Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stole Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Barnyard Buddies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Buddies]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/?p=1492</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Barnyard Buddies help Santa each fall. Kids can take rides &#8212; near his booth at the mall. So he asks them each year, “Did the kids act with care? “Were they grateful that farmer Jim brought you all there?” &#160; &#160; And each year The Buddies have mixed reports Some children terrific, others out [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_1513" style="width: 141px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1513" class="size-full wp-image-1513" src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Santa-reading.png" alt="Santa visits" width="131" height="152" /><p id="caption-attachment-1513" class="wp-caption-text">Santa visits</p></div>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Barnyard Buddies help Santa each fall.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Kids can take rides &#8212; near his booth at the mall.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So he asks them each year, “Did the kids act with care?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Were they grateful that farmer Jim brought you all there?”</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="attachment_1254" style="width: 242px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1254" class="wp-image-1254 size-medium" title="Santa likes The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace story" src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Barnyard-Buddies-Cover-New-Feb1818-232x300.jpg" alt="The cover of The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace book" width="232" height="300" srcset="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Barnyard-Buddies-Cover-New-Feb1818-232x300.jpg 232w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Barnyard-Buddies-Cover-New-Feb1818.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1254" class="wp-caption-text">The Barnyard Buddies went to the mall to give pony rides and petting opportunities to the children.</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And each year The Buddies have mixed reports</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some children terrific, others out of sorts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“We mostly tell Santa the children are great,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“So maybe now it’s a little bit late</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“But I think we should say, at least mention the fact,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“That several of the children ended up in a stack</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“On the floor in a tussle just to get that new game,”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Said Ol’ Dot with a sad face, and feeling quite lame.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_214" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-214" class="wp-image-214 size-medium" title="Santa asks if the children were good this year." src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-300x258.png" alt="Boys fighting over toys need conflict resolution skills" width="300" height="258" srcset="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-300x258.png 300w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-1024x880.png 1024w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-768x660.png 768w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-1536x1319.png 1536w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-2048x1759.png 2048w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-1200x1031.png 1200w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Smart-Tools-Concept-Art_fighting-over-car-1980x1701.png 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-214" class="wp-caption-text">Boys in a tussle</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">She took many children up on her old back.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">They made her walk fast, and she limped coming back.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“It’s true, I’m hurt. It&#8217;s silly, but heck,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Very few children even petted my neck.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Did they think I was a robot, a computer game?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Not one even asked Farmer Jim for my name!”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You could tell from her face that Ol’ Dot was sad.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And the others agreed, and began to feel mad.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_1510" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1510" class="wp-image-1510 size-medium" title="Santa and sleigh" src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/santa-and-sleigh-300x252.png" alt="" width="300" height="252" /><p id="caption-attachment-1510" class="wp-caption-text">Santa and sleigh</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Santa landed his sled on the barn roof that night.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And they told him their thoughts &#8212; it was such a sight &#8212;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The animals crying, and Santa in thought.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What to do about kids&#8217; gifts? Maybe give coal &#8212; or not?</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Please don&#8217;t give coal, Santa! Most kids try each year.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Said Grey Donkey to them all &#8212; shedding a tear.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“We just need a way to help children find</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“There are so many reasons for them to be kind.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">&#8220;Most of the time when kids have a fight</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">&#8220;Peace has been interrupted &#8212; someone&#8217;s heart is not right</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">&#8220;That book, &#8220;I Can See Peace&#8221; shows children the way</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">&#8220;To seek and find peace. Let&#8217;s give them that book &#8212; if we may!</span></p>
<div id="attachment_1488" style="width: 240px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1488" class="wp-image-1488 size-medium" title="Santa, can we give this book? I Can See Peace" src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/I-Can-See-Peace_cover-Oct18-230x300.jpg" alt="book, I Can See Peace" width="230" height="300" srcset="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/I-Can-See-Peace_cover-Oct18-230x300.jpg 230w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/I-Can-See-Peace_cover-Oct18.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1488" class="wp-caption-text">Book, I Can See Peace</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Without empathy and compassion, the future looks dire.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“So we must try harder!” said Santa, sounding tired. . .</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“I&#8217;ve an idea! Tell how you all do it &#8212;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Here in the barnyard, you get along, nothing to it!</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Yes! The owl, Mrs. McCloud taught us,” said King.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Let’s write our <a href="http://bit.ly/SmartToolsStore">stories</a>, that’s how we can bring</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Kids the <a href="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/">smart tools</a> so they too can say,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“‘I feel so peaceful and connected today!’”</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So now, Barnyard Buddies have <a href="http://bit.ly/SmartToolsStore">a book</a> to share</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And <a href="https://amzn.to/2yIhvw0">songs</a> you can sing when you struggle to care.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_85" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-85" class="size-full wp-image-85" src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CD-cover-2.jpg" alt="Music CD, Songs for Peace" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CD-cover-2.jpg 300w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CD-cover-2-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-85" class="wp-caption-text">Music CD about peacemaking for children</p></div>
<div id="attachment_84" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-84" class="size-full wp-image-84" src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CD-cover-1.jpg" alt="Music CD for conflict resolution and peacemaking" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CD-cover-1.jpg 300w, https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CD-cover-1-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-84" class="wp-caption-text">Music for conflict resolution and peacemaking</p></div>
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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">About how to solve problems, be kind, and be fair,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">About how to take turns, compromise, and share.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you ask Santa, he&#8217;ll drop off at your door</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">All these smart tools. That’s what they&#8217;re for!</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>This poem is a story about how &#8220;The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace&#8221; book may have come to be! I hope you enjoy and share.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="attachment_1503" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1503" class="wp-image-1503 size-medium" src="https://www.smarttoolsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Laura-Greens-kids-picture-with-book-300x300.png" alt="The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace and kids" width="300" height="300" /><p id="caption-attachment-1503" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Two children who love The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace</span></p></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/x7ARLmhluVU" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This blog is definitely a bit big on the marketing and promoting (at the end). If you read the <a href="http://bit.ly/BarnyardBuddies">reviews that are on Amazon</a> associated with any of the materials, but <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Peace-Julie-Penshorn-Friends/dp/B0714PV3V4/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1539893293&amp;sr=8-15&amp;keywords=i+stop+for+peace#customerReviews">particularly the music</a>, I think you will see why I feel the need to share and promote. These materials are really important and valuable to kids &#8212; <strong>according to others</strong>.  I think as the writer, it&#8217;s my responsibility to do my share to let others know about them. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Please share in any way you can. Twitter, Facebook, and so on.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As you see, The Barnyard Buddies also mentioned the other award-winning book, &#8220;I Can See Peace.&#8221; The two books and two cds of music provide a lovely, simple way to bring a comprehensive peacemaking education to very young children. All the materials are targeted for ages 3 to 8 or 9.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The young ages are when we cement our conflict resolution styles. We also learn that our families value our caring and sharing behaviors. We learn about focusing on kindness and compassion, recycling, and caring for the earth, what it means to be a peacemaker and so much more. All these are addressed in the music that goes with these books.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> As a person living on this heating planet, I can only hope our children grow up thoughtful, compassionate, and smart about caring for others and issues of climate change, and are willing to get to the deeper issues around population, scarcity of resources, and more that prevent our success on these issues.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Apologies for lack of diversity! This poem is not meant to leave out others, but I have only come up with this Santa story to tell the tale of how The Barnyard Buddies (with a little help from me) created &#8220;The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace&#8221; children&#8217;s book. Maybe next year I&#8217;ll figure out a story that works better for children with a background in other traditions! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The story of Santa doesn&#8217;t indicate any religious preference or bias by me, the staff or the organization.</span> </span></p>
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