T-shirts help children learn about virtues, mom says
At a kids concert or activity, youngsters might don cute T-shirts with sayings like "Little Dude" or "High Maintenance." And Monika Hall of St. Charles took notice.
"I went home after a concert with the kids about a year ago, and I remember I couldn't sleep," Hall said. "Then I told my husband this idea, that maybe we could use T-shirts to teach something good."
That idea has turned into Toddler Virtue Tees and the production of three T-shirts with the virtues of Kindness, Courage or Tolerance, and their definitions, displayed.
"I practiced it with my son first, and it grew from there," Hall said. "We hope to have learning about virtues becoming as important as learning about the ABCs and different colors."
Hall figures if toddlers understand and embrace virtues, such as wearing "Courage" on the first day of swim lessons and "Kindness" when interacting with others, it could make the world a better place.
"Really, my goal for this is that it becomes a fad," Hall said.
To that end, Hall said, the "Pass it On" phrase on the back of the T-shirt is important. She hopes toddlers, through example, would pass on virtues to others. To a lesser extent, she said, it also ties in with handing down the T-shirts to younger siblings.
"The key is that by the time the youngsters have outgrown the shirts, they will have learned the virtues," Hall said.
Those interested in a Toddler Virtue Tee should go to www.toddlervirtues.com.
A kid and a camp: For a kid to enjoy summer camp, it helps to have a sponsor supporting the effort.
Riverwoods Christian Center is in full swing for this summer, as more than 800 underprivileged children will enjoy a few weeks of fun and learning at the scenic camp nestled along the Fox River in St. Charles.
Sponsor donations are always needed and welcome. A donation of $50 sponsors one child for a day; $100 for two days; $250 for a week. A donation of $1,250 would represent sponsorship of a cabin group for a week.
More information is available from Jay Curtis at (630) 584-2222.
Holy D'oh, it's religion: In interviewing Dan Starr of St. Charles about his book project for the information that appeared in my June 8 column, I did chat with him briefly about the Bible study sessions he conducts at Baker Memorial Church in St. Charles.
Starr said that popular TV shows are often discussed as a way to find Bible messages. I had heard that "The Andy Griffith Show" was particularly solid as a reference point for excellent moral values and Biblical messages, but Starr surprised me when he mentioned another one of my favorite programs.
He said he has used sessions called "The Gospel according to 'The Simpsons'" many times.
"It is surprising to people, but it is there," Starr said of good messages in "Simpsons" cartoons. "When you think about it, 'The Simpsons' represents one of the few shows in which religion is a fairly normal part of life.
"The Simpsons always go to church," he adds. "And that is just unheard of on television."
dheun@sbcglobal.net