I must say, most of the learning that goes on in our house happens during conversation. The most amazing things come up during breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, in the car, walking, gardening, and sitting around doing nothing much.

This morning while having breakfast, we were discussing a very interesting subject - menstruation. I know, an unusual topic for breakfast time but, well it came up so we talked about it. As we munched on our museli, we discussed the ins and outs of the female cycle. We discussed some of the feelings that woman get when they menstruate. We discussed the why’s and the how’s and the ‘what does it look like. We discussed every gorey detail.

After awhile Lewi asked: What’s the stuff of an egg (human!) made of? Is it like the stuff in frog spawn?”

I am no longer surprised at any of Lewi’s questions. They have always been really thoughtful and different and inspiring and I SO wish that when I was young I had his inquiring mind and thirst for knoweldge. I did have to stop and think, however. This is not something I’ve ever really thought about.

I said that I thought it probably was but that maybe we could look into it later if he’d like (a very common response to most things I know little about).

Then he asked: “Are the sperm animals?”

“Hmmm…” I said. Another really interesting question and again, one I haven’t thought through, EVER.

“I’m really not sure about that.” I added.

“Well,” Lewi said. “They look like tadpoles and act like tadpoles. Tadpoles are animals.”

“Hmmm. That’s true.”

Then he added: “They’re cute anyway.”

“I’ll draw a picture of the sperm.” Lewi said.

He got up from the table and came back with pen and paper. He did a quick sketch and then handed it to me. He’d drawn a very cute picture of a tadpole-like critter.

And that was that. I can’t remember what we discussed after that but it wasn’t to do with reproduction, eggs, sperm or tadpoles. I’m confident that we’ll get back to it all at some point. Who knows where it will lead but I’m sure it’s all helping Lewi build a good picture about what life is all about. A very different scenario to the Year One “Where Do Babies Come From? ” program!