Workspace Guide to Holiday Shopping...

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If you've been following along with us for a while, you know that I am all about quality over quantity of toys.  Our playroom is small with open-ended materials that are appropriate for all three of my children (10,7,4).  Yes.  You read that right.  All three children can use all of the materials in our playroom.  That is the special thing about finding a well-made, open-ended material.  It lasts forever and can become whatever your child wants it to be- at any age.  

Now, I know you are about to be invaded with gift guides.  I usually don't even do one because I feel so overwhelmed by all of the ones other people publish! But, many of you have asked me to provide you with a gift-guide, so here it is...I will be publishing three guides this year.  So keep your eyes peeled for the other two! 

The first guide is things we already own (or very similar products) and have loved for years.  I have attached some affiliate links, and I really appreciate you purchasing through my link.  It gives me a tiny fee and it costs you nothing.  

1.  Unit Blocks   2.  Grimms Large Rainbow  3. Felt Library  4. Playsilks   5. Light Table  6. Hape Dollhouse   7.  Wooden Rocker Board  (Click for link to purchase)

If you've been following along with us for a while, you know that I am all about quality over quantity of toys.  Our playroom is small with open-ended materials that are appropriate for all three of my children (10,7,4).  Yes.  You read that right.  All three children can use all of the materials in our playroom.  That is the special thing about finding a well-made, open-ended material.  It lasts forever and can become whatever your child wants it to be- at any age.  

This is a guide to things we already own (or very similar products) and have loved for years.  I have attached some affiliate links, and I really appreciate you purchasing through my link.  It gives me a very small kickback and it costs you nothing.  Please reach out to me with ANY questions about anything in this guide.  Share it with the grandparents!! 

Here's the WHY behind the items that I chose to share in our guide: 

1. Unit Blocks... This is a link to the FAVORITE most-used toy in our home.  

2. Grimms Rainbow... This is one of my favorite things to give.  It looks beautiful on any shelf and can be played with a billion different ways.  It is so well made and no one is EVER unhappy with this gift.  Kids know what to do with a Grimms Rainbow.... and their parents are psyched it's not plastic and it doesn't make noise or need batteries.  

3. A Felt Library.  I bought one of these a few years ago on a whim.  I was attracted to the vibrant colors and texture. These are a staple in our playroom.  They are for sorting, pretending and much, much more.  

4. Set of Large Playsilks. These playsilks will replace all of the "dress up" chaos in your home.  These silks can be a roof for a fort, a beautiful dress, a cape, or something to drag your little sibling around on.  They make baby beds and nests for stuffed animals.  Bonus: They look beautiful hanging on hooks in your playroom or child's nursery.  

5.  Light Table.  This was a family gift that we gave to our children years ago.  It gets used every. single. day.  The light adds another dimension of learning to activity that you choose to play on the table.  Ours has stood the test of time and all three of my children use this table daily.  

6.  Hape Dollhouse.  This dollhouse is one of the most asked-about toys on my IG feed.  It was a gift to my middle daughter when she was two (she's now almost 8!).  

7.  Wooden Rocker Board.  This is such a versatile, well-made toy.  It can be used from infants to adult.  It is a balance board, a bridge, a scene for pretend play, a baby bed, or a sturdy bridge for babies.  We LOVE ours.  

I hope you all found this helpful.  The next guide is coming later this week... So, stay tuned.  Thank you for reading! 

Lizzie 

Has Your Child Stopped Napping? Quiet Time Solved.

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Do your young children have down time? I mean REAL down time. Time to be bored, time to make up aimless games and stories?  Do they have the opportunity to spend time alone? Truly alone, not alone with an iPad.  Do they have quiet time carved out for them as part of the day? Mine do. And yours can too. You and your children deserve some down time.  I am going to help you get it.  

Why My Family Needs Consistent Quiet time:

I rely on this quiet, independent playtime everyday because I need it. I crave it.  So do my kids.  Without a little while each day to just sit still, I go all crazy and moody.  And if I go crazy, my whole house turns into a zoo. A wild, untamed, unhappy zoo.

It's no secret that I am not good at the constant go-go-go.  It stresses me out and I become an impatient yeller.  (My neighbors can vouch for this. They see me yelling and hustling children in and out the my car.  ALL. THE. TIME.) For our family, the antidote to the crazy is taking a few moments of quiet time.  Chilling out.  Yes, you can teach your kids the art of chilling out.  It  takes commitment, consistency, and a little bit of creativity. 

We all need a break.  I’m going to tell you how we carve out a break almost every day. I really believe all children can learn to have quiet time.  I have heard many people talk about how their first-borns are too needy, or their boys too active.  They worry that without a screen in front of them, or an adult to play with, their children cannot chill. They can. I promise. It will take some work on your end, but it's worth it.

My Family's Quiet Time Rules:

1.    You are alone (not with your sister or brother, and DEFINITELY not with me.)

2.    You are playing, reading, creating, or sleeping.

3.    Your time is self-directed.

Of course, those guidelines look very different for a four year old, seven year old and ten year old. 

Four Year Old Quiet Time:

For Sloane, quiet time is often brief.  About 35 to 40 minutes. It is usually spent in her room or in our little playroom/den.  Lately, her activity of choice is playing babies, dollhouse, or blocks. 

Seven Year Old Quiet Time: 

Ruby loves art.  So, quiet time for her is drawing, sewing, beading- any kind of making.  Making is her gift.  Quiet time-making happens in her room, therefore, it needs to be non-messy making.  Her quiet time can last anywhere from twenty-five minutes to an hour.  She gets lonely.  Her personality demands she be part of a crowd. It's who she is. An hour of ‘alone’ is more than enough for her.  

Ten Year Old Quiet Time:

Nate is airplane-obsessed.  So, his quiet time almost always involves drawing and tracing airplanes.  He wants to use the light table for tracing. The Light table is kept in our kitchen and his quiet time is set in his room, so the clever little guy set himself up a tracing station in his room.  He tapes his work up to the sunny window and the light comes through. Perfect for his tracing habit. He also enjoys time with legos and magnatiles.  His quiet time can run well over an hour when he has the luxury of time. 

Nature vs Nurture:  

Like I said earlier, I believe all children can enjoy some quiet time.  I believe that all children NEED downtime, especially in our chaotic world.   I know that it does not come easily to everyone.  My oldest child is dreamy by nature.  He beats to his own drum and has always been able to occupy himself.   Even as a young toddler, he was happy with his cars and trucks and blocks for long periods of time. My middle child is not this way at all.  When she gave up her nap (before two years old!), I nearly lost my mind.  She always wanted a playmate, was into everything and I could not deal.  Her nap time was during her brother’s quiet time and my time to chill for a minute.  There was no way I could give up those few moments of peace.  So, I taught her how to be independent.  

Know That Quiet Time can be a Learned Skill....Believe it. 

Here's how we did it.... First, I made sure I really filled her up before quiet time.  Ruby had lunch and her milk.  More importantly, we read and played together.  I gave her a period of undivided attention and labeled that time.  We set the timer for 15 minutes and played together.  No interuptions from the phone, her brother, the doorbell, etc.   Barring an emergency, there was NO distraction.  I promised her that.  It was our “play together” time. 

After that was her “quiet time”.  Again, we set the timer.  The first day for 5 minutes, the next day 10 minutes and so on.  The timer defined our time.  Not me.  This is important.  I would say, “The timer will tell you when our time is over.”

In the early days,  I would set out some simple invitations to play.  A small blanket with a pretty bowl full of gems and a mirror for arranging them.  Or a mat with a dollhouse and a few people and animals.  A child-sized table with paper and colored pencils and stickers.  You get the idea.  If not, get on Instagram and plug in the hashtag #invitationtoplay.  It’ll fuel you. 

Invitations should be open-ended.  Your child should be able to take the material wherever his or her mind goes. 

To me, quiet time is a form of meditation.  Meditation is an ongoing practice.  Quiet time over here is always evolving, changing forms and continues to be ongoing.  Sometimes we hit a rut and need to shake things up a bit.  Sometimes, we have a few days where it just isn’t possible.  On those days, I know I can expect more whining, fighting and general crankiness (from me and the kids). 

When we’ve hit a rut, I might mix things up by rotating toys, putting materials in an unexpected location, or setting up a more involved invitation to play.  If it’s nice weather, one of the kids will have their quiet time outside on the deck in our tinker space.  My oldest might choose the basement where his piano and his work bench live.  It all depends on the day.  I’ve learned to expect the unexpected and I try to be as flexible as I can. 

What if my Child Keeps Coming out of his Room?

Keep walking them back.  Just like the experts say when your child keeps coming down at bedtime.  When Ruby was small, she wouldl test me by coming out of her room multiple times.  Each time I would neutrally walk her back, reminding her that the timer didn't say it was time to come out yet.  It was a bit trying at times, but TOTALLY WORTH IT. She learned the skill of quiettime through repetition and mastery.  She learned to love quiettime when the routine was set, and it wasn't even a question anymore.  At that point, she figured out how much fun she could have all on her own.  

One of the most important things I want to pass to my kids is the gift of being bored.   I want them to be alone with their thoughts, to sit with themselves and contemplate.  Insisting on quiet time  is the gift I give to my family and to myself.

There are tons of great articles on the benefits of quiet, independent play.  I linked some here and here.  You can also look on Instagram or Pinterest for inspirational invitations to play.  However, keep it as simple as you can.  You absolutely do not need to go out and buy anything new, nor do you need to spend more than 5 minutes setting it up. 

Lastly, remember this.  It doesn’t matter how old your child is when you start having quiet time.  Just start where you are.  Expect it to be difficult at first.  You can even introduce it by being honest…. “I want to teach you a new skill.  It’s called independent play.  This is how we will learn it…”  When we take the time to explain what is happening, the response is often great. 

I would love to hear from you in the comments.  Do you have a quiet time in your home? How do you make it happen? Did you find any of these tips helpful? Can you share some new ideas and tips to start the habit of quiet time? 

Thank you for reading and following along.  

-Lizzie

EASY PRESCHOOL PLAYDATE

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Is your preschooler having a friend over after school today?

My four year old always wants to bring friends home with her after a morning of preschool.  I love that she wants to be social.  But, truth be told, she is not the most fun child right after school.  She is usually ravenous and cranky. She’s been sharing all morning, and most likely, she will find turn-taking at home to be hard.  Typically, our schedule involves lunch and quiettime, so a playdate can be taxing on her. But, Sloane  loves spending time with friends, and I love that she is developing that part of herself.

 Here is how I support Sloane in afterschool playdates:

I prep lunch BEFORE I do the school pick up.  I set up a tray of finger foods that make lunch fast, filling, and energy-boosting .  Today, I put out a long tray with a bowl of carrots, a bowl of pretzels, hummus for dipping, a bowl of apple slices and some cashew butter and honey mixed to make a dip for apples.  Each child had their own yogurt cup and they grazed together on the snack tray. 

Next:

I prep a simple, open-ended activity that includes a sensory component.  Today, the children used a tinker tray of loose parts with rainbow playdough.  I chose this activity because it was easy.  I already had all of the necessary components at my fingertips . I simply pulled out an old tray and filled it with bits and bobs from our art cabinet and then I dug into my playdough stash.  I keep playdough in these containers and it lasts forever!

When I am prepping an activity,  I always try to have more than what I will need.  Tired kiddos make impatient sharers, so I want to be sure to make play easy for them by having more than enough and limiting wait-time.  

I try to incorporate a sensory component to the play because it can be comforting to a child who might be feeling unsure in our home environment.  Playdough is attractive to ALMOST all four year olds.  It’s familiar and can go in any direction the children take it. 

Two More Lifesavers:

  • Keep them short! A playdate for a four year old doesn't need to be longer than a hour or so.  

  • ALWAYS show your guest where the potty is before you do anything else. 

Below you will find the supplies that I used in my tinker tray.  They are affiliate links.  Thank you for your support. 

Chenille Stems

Various Buttons

Colored Toothpicks

Google Eyes

For the tinker tray you could use a recyled egg carton or this one. 

The mirrors are from Ikea.

Click here for a link to my favorite playdough recipe.

How do you feel about preschool playdates? Love em' or hate em'?  Do have any advice for me about preschool playdates? Talk to me in the comments below.

Thanks for reading along!

Lizzie 

Why I Juice with my Kids and Our Favorite Recipe for Yummy Green Juice

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Juicing with Kids

We love to make juice! Here's why. 

We have been on a big juicing kick lately and with cold and flu season upon us, I am going to try to keep it up! I don’t know a whole lot about juicing, but I am happy to share our family’s experience with you. 

The Top Five Reasons I Juice with my Kids:

1. Do your children eat the recommended daily servings of green leafy vegetables? Mine don’t.  In fact, I don’t even know what the recommended amount is.  When we juice, I know my kids are consuming a lot more greens than they could fit on a plate, let alone eat. 

2. It’s really fun.  They love squishing the food down the hatch and watching the juice pour through and the pulp snake out.  My guys also have a tendency to much along the way (more goodness consumed).

3. It’s a delicious way to boost energy and consume a mega-punch of vitamins and nutrients.

4. Much like any kind of cooking, juicing is an activity that can be extended into all kinds of learning.  There is math, science, literacy, sensory learning, language, etc. 

5. Making and enjoying the juice lends itself to a great sense of accomplishment. I feel like an awesome mom for hanging with my kids and producing something mega-healthy. The children are so excited to share the juice they save for Daddy when he gets home.  Plus, they see how they turned a huge pile of fruits and veggies into a beautiful, yummy product.  

Our Recipe

Pineapple, kiwi, green apple, orange and/or lemon, celery, spinach, kale/collards.

 

We have developed a favorite recipe over the years. There are a million great ones out there, but here is our standard:

Pineapple (no skin)

Kiwi (no skin)

Green Apple

Lemon or Orange (no skin, leave on white pith)

Celery

Spinach

Kale/ collards

We use whatever is on hand and in varying amounts.  If your kids are new to juicing, start out heavier on the fruit and lighter on the greens.  You can up the green factor each time you juice. 

Do you like to juice with your crew? Do you have a favorite website for juicing or a favorite recipe? Share it in the comments below.  

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Thanks for reading! -Lizzie 

Why I Don't Homeschool My Children

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“Quick question. Do you homeschool? If not, what kind of school do your children attend and does it compliment how you are bringing them up? Also what do their afternoons after school look like? Do you do activities with them in this time? My child has just started school and wondering how his time can be managed out of school?! Thank you for your time x
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— Instagram DM

First, thank you for the DMs and the private messages on my Facebook and Instagram.  I really appreciate it when you take the time to connect with me.  I spend a lot of time creating content  to share with all of you and sometimes it feels like I am shooting it into a great black hole! Questions and feedback are always appreciated.  Getting to know you guys is a special experience that I value. 

Do you homeschool?

I do not homeschool my kids.  I have so much respect for the parents and caregivers who are able to do this.  I am not one of them.  To be completely honest, I value the time that my children are off at school! I use that time to work, take care of our home and family responsibilities, volunteer and get the occasional haircut or pedicure!

 

What kind of school do your children attend?

My youngest is in nursery school at a wonderful reggio-inspired co-op. It is a one-room schoolhouse in the center of a beautiful park.  My big kids went there too and it is a second home to all of us. 

My middle daughter attends second grade in our local public school in an inclusion classroom.  While she is typically developing, I believe in the inclusion model and I always request to have my children placed within in that setting. 

My oldest child is in fifth grade at public school. Next year he’s off to middle school, eeek!

The big two are in public school and the little one will be there next year.  I value their school experience in a myriad of ways.  Are there things I would change if I could? Of course.  Do I agree with everything there? No way. 

When my oldest was entering Kindergarten, I really struggled.  I was still a new parent and it was hard for me to send him off into the unknown.  He was learning in a way that wasn’t mom-approved and his world became much less child-centered than he (I) was used to.  My husband believed strongly in sending the children to public school with their neighborhood friends.  Plus, there was no way we could afford private school. So, off he went to public Kindergarten. At the time, it was hard for me, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20 and I am SO happy we decided to send the children off to school with their friends.  They (and I) have become flexible, made many friends and we all have learned a ton along the way.  I am so grateful to the teachers, speciality staff, administration and support staff that work their butts off every day to give my children a safe, happy school experience. 

What do their afternoons look like?

I attempt to unschedule our afternoons to the best of my ability.  Unstructured playtime is a core family value.  Ideally, I want my children to come home from school and chill.  We love to explore in the woods, play at home, make and create, and ride bikes.  Reality, however, is another story. 

Nate (10) loves unstructured time to ride his bike.  It is his passion and he would do it all day if he could.  He's never bored and has always been really good at occupying himself either alone or with friends.  He insists on keeping his afternoons clear and I support it! He has religious school one afternoon per week.  He aslo plays the piano and takes a lesson in our home one 45 minute period per week. 

Ruby (age 7) plays soccer at an elementary level.  I was not enthused when she asked to play. We’ve never really been a sporty family and the thought of lugging children to and from practices multiple times a week did not appeal to me.  I envisioned fighting with her to get ready and then watching her be unenthusiastic in the game…Boy was I wrong!  She LOVES soccer, is eager to head to practice, and we are in a carpool which frees me up from the constant driving.  My heart swells to watch her play.  She is strong and confident and willing to take risks.  Above all, she is a gracious and kind teammate. 

Sloane (age 4) goes to nursery school five mornings per week.  She does not participate in any scheduled after school activities.  She has an occasional playdate, but mostly it's just independent play time while she eagerly awaits her siblings arrival home.  Sloane receives speech and language therapy one hour per week in our home. 

We lean towards early bedtimes and we eat dinner around 5:30 most evenings.   I am an early to bed, early to rise person and my children have always been quite similar to me in that regard. 

Do you do activities in the afternoon with your children?

Yes and no.... let me explain.  We have an open-ended art cabinet and plenty of open-ended toys to work with.  Because we spend a lot of time playing, my kids are good at it.  They don’t need me to carve out an activity for them. They have learned to be industrious, self-starters. 

On the flip side, making and creating with my children is my passion.  It is my joy to set up an invitation to create and watch them go to it.  Creating together as a family is joyful.  So, yes, I do set up activities a few times a week. 

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That's it! That is what our school and after school looks like.  Did I answer your questions? Do you have more? What do you hope to see more of here and on my Instagram? It is an honor for me to use this platform to help other moms and families in their journeys of figuring out what works for their tribe.  Please reach out to me in the comments. I love to hear from you.  

Thanks for following along, 

Lizzie 

A Peek Inside Our Art Cabinet

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“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way- things I had no words for.”
— Georgia O'Keeffe
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Our art cabinet is the epicenter of our home.  It is where we store the tools we use to cReaTe as well as the tools we need in our everyday lives.  There is a more detailed  post about the how and why of our art cabinet from my archives right HERE. 

In this post, you'll find me linking up everything you saw in my latest IG Post.  You can shop these links or be thrifty and find similar items in the dollar bin at Target or in your local Dollar Store.  

Some of the products listed below are aff. links.  As always, thank you so much for following along with me and my creative crew as we navigate childhood and family life. 

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A "Just Right" Activity

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“Cooking with kids is not just about ingredients, recipes, and cooking. It’s about harnessing imagination, empowerment, and creativity.”
— Guy Fieri

Have you ever read the story SAM by Ann Herbert Scott? It is the story of a little boy who wants to play with his brother and sister, but no matter how hard he tries, he keeps failing miserably.  Sam is really sad until his mom thinks up an activity that is just right for him.  Well, this is exactly what happened to my youngest child today.  Both her brother and sister had friends over and she wanted to be included in their games.  Usually, this isn't an issue. But today, she just couldn't make it work.  Cranky and dejected, she looked to me.  I was busy in the kitchen prepping for the school week ahead, and I didn't want her sticky little fingers in my work either! Poor little lady. Until...I thought of an ideal activity to raise her four-year-old spirits.  

I decided to set Sloane up to make her own fruit salad.  First, she choose a peach and an apple from the bowl on the table.  She dragged a chair up to the sink to wash and dry her fruit.  I pulled out a sturdy cutting board and my favorite knife to use with the under-five set. I set her up at a low table where she can stand and use the strength of her entire body.  I made sure to prep the apples and peach by slicing them to make a flat, even surface for her to work on.  We talked a little bit about how to hold the knife and where the blade is located. And that was it! Simple.  She hummed and chopped away while I worked nearby.  When the big kids wandered downstairs looking for a snack, she shined as she shared her fruit salad! 

This simple activity exercised her fine motor skills, but more importantly, it built up her sense-of -self.  Do you cook with your littles at home? What tools do you love? I would love to discover more cooking tools for young children.  

*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support. 

 

  

 

Can Your Child Direct Her Own Play?

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I'm mixing things up a little bit on my blog today....

If you follow along with me on my parenting journey on Instagram , you already know a lot about my mom-style.  I believe in a creative, adventurous, child-led approach to momming.  From time to time, fellow moms will reach out to me for advice about their children. I'm sharing one question here in hopes of helping more moms.

Here's a question from a mom of a toddler: 

QUESTION:  "My daughter is 2.5 and we are struggling to stay interested in activities at home.  She’s great out and about, but at home it’s a different story.  I was wondering if you found that the child-led approach was more successful for your children as they became a bit older?

My daughter starts a Reggio school next month and I used to teach art at a children’s museum so I have a lot of experience with the approach.  I’m just finding it a lot more challenging with my own child at home.  I am wondering if you had similar challenges? " 

 ANSWER: "First, the fact that you are even thinking about what kind of parenting approach you want to take is a parenting-win. 

I think a couple of things might be happening for you and your daughter.  As I am sure you already know, two and a half years olds are testing boundaries and limits constantly.  They are supposed to.  It's their job. As moms, it can be really challenging.  I know It was for me. She might be sensing your desire for the child-led approach to be successful, and if so, maybe she is pushing back.

That said, I do believe in a child-led approach, right from the beginning.  Young children are capable of directing their own play. They need the time, space and confidence to work it all out.

A few things I might ask myself in your shoes.... Are my expectations for my child’s play in line with her environment, her temperament and her developmental stage? How can I adjust my own expectations to make them more realistic?  In response to your question, it might be helpful to think about how you define success and go from there.

The next thing I would look at is her play space.  Is it defined?  Is it overloaded with choices or are there just a few open-ended materials? I always lean towards keeping the selection of materials small.  Additionally, children don’t require a lot of space to call their own.  Even a small corner marked off with tape would work just fine. 

Finally, and probably most importantly, remind yourself that everything is a phase.  Do what feels right, even if it is not exactly what you might think a child-led experience would offer. 

Thank you for trusting me with your question. Good luck, Mama! You are doing a great job.

Do you have any questions for me? Send me an email or comment below.   

Thanks for following along with me. 

Lizzie 

 

 

How To Set Up the EASIEST Baby Doll-Washing Station Using Stuff You Already Have

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Baby Doll Wash Station

Do you want to make your toddler's day and feel like an awesome mom?  I've got a simple activity that won't take much time to set up, and probably won't cost you a dime! 

What You Will Need:

  •  2 large-ish Bins (we used IKEA Trofast Bins)
  •  Plastic, Water-proof Baby Dolls
  • Washcloths or Old Rags
  • Shaving cream, lotion or baby shampoo -anything works.
  • Soap (I cut up bars of dollar store soap.)
  • Preemie Diapers (optional)
  • A few small cups for scooping water
  • Dishtowel for drying the babies
  • Water Dispenser for rinsing. (I like this one. We use it for all of our water play.)

The Set Up

If you are lucky enough to live somewhere warm, head outdoors! We live in the Northeast.  It is COLD and we are about to get dumped with snow.  Needless to say, this will be an indoor activity for a while.  For us indoor folk, I recommend setting up on the kitchen floor or maybe the bathroom.  

Here's How to Do it:

1) Lay out a large drop cloth to ground the activity.  If you are inside, I love this waterproof mat.  It absorbs water and  protects your floors from wet and messy play.

2) Set up a few “bathtubs” filled with a few inches of water.

3) Place water-proof babies inside the bins.

4) Lay out all of your bath accessories in an enticing way.  Or, just dump them in a pile- your kids won't care! 

5) Set up your rinsing station over a bucket. I balance it on a stool set just above the ‘bathtub' bin. This makes it feel like a real faucet for rinsing.

6) Roll up your child's sleeves and....

That's it! Now you can watch your kid have fun and feel like an awesome, fun mom.  Or you can zone on your phone with a cup of coffee while your child is occupied and super happy.  

Check out these links to some other really fantastic washing stations:

http://theimaginationtree.com/2015/06/baby-doll-washing-and-caring-toddler-activity.html

http://happyhooligans.ca/baby-bath-station/

http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/washing-baby-dolls-water-play.html#.WMVO02M4kdU

Have you ever set up a baby-doll washing station? Are you going to set up this one? I would love to hear from you.  Tell me about it in the comments below and tag me in your washing station pictures on Instagram @theworkspaceforchildren.  

Thanks for reading along, 

Lizzie 

*this post contains some aff. links.  Thank you for your support.*

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Is it Possible for Your Kids to Do Chores that are ACTUALLY Helpful? Plus, My Secret Weapon Revealed.

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Do Your Kids Do Chores?

I know, I know, it sounds like torture for everyone involved.  But, I think we’ve figured out a way to make it work- most of the time.  Truth be told, I am inherently lazy.  So lazy that my kids have actually adapted! They have learned to pick up some of the slack.  And it’s awesome.  Want to know how we do it? Read on.

Why Do I Rely On Chores?

I need help. There's always a bottomless pit of things that need to get done.   I have three kids in three different schools, a dog, and a husband.  It frustrates me to no end when I spend all of my valuable time picking up shoes, tidying up blocks, clearing dishes, sorting laundry, etc.  I love to spend my time being creative with my kids.  They love to be creative together.  In order for that to happen, they know it is best to help free up some of my time.  Happy mom = happy family. 

Simple Chore Guidlines:

1) Chores are best kept simple, they are NOT meant to make more work for me!

2) Chores are a choice.  I do not have it in me to stand over the children and force them to do their chores. 

3) Chores are age-appropriate. I aim for the children to feel successful and master the task that I am asking them to complete. This is really important in being able to get them to do it without having to nag.  Think small bites, not huge mouthfuls.  

4) Chores are actual tasks we need to get done. They are not made up because I feel like I should be teaching responsibility.  

How do we do it? Meet the reinvented chore chart.

I have three children and three different chore charts.  The children decide if and when they fill them out… WHAT? Yes, they decide if and when. 

When a chore is completed, they color in that bubble on the chore chart.

Like I said earlier, I do not have the bandwidth to stand over my kids and make them do their chores.  If I had to do that, I might as well just do them myself.  What motivates them to actually complete the charts and help out? I wasn't really sure, so I asked them.  Here’s what they said...

“We have more time to have fun when we do our chores.”
“It’s just part of our routine.”
“I get in the mood to do chores ‘cuz it makes you like us.”
“I like the way you put the chores in the poppy bubbles instead of just… check, check, check.”
“I like that I get to pick which chore to do when.”
— Straight out of Nate and Ruby's mouths on a Sunday afternoon

Their comments kind of surprised me.  I usually offer a choice of rewards for when you complete a chart.  I thought for sure that they would say they do their chores for the reward, but nope.  Wrong again.  In fact, Nate just called me out and said, “Actually, you always forget to give us the thing we won. And then we just forget too.” Oops. It’s totally true. My forgetfulness is another one of my most redeeming qualities. 

Rewards that are often neglected.

Rewards that are often neglected.

What Chores do They Complete?

Nate (nine and a half):  Walk the dog, start the laundry or switch the laundry, take recycling to the curb, start the dishwasher or unload the dishwasher

Ruby (seven): Walk the dog, collect the laundry from the bathrooms and bring it to the laundry room, bring the empty garbage cans up from the curb, make the beds, organize the shoe closet

Sloane (four): Feed the dog, set the table, put away everyones shoes, vacuum up the never-ending crumbs with the handheld vacuum (her favorite).

Want to Know My Secret Weapon? 

It's called "mom's choice."  

What exactly is a "mom's choice?"  It is my single favorite part of the chore chart.  

A ‘mom’s choice’ is when I get to spontaneously choose something that needs to get done.  For example, if the playroom is messy, I might choose that they straighten it.  If the children’s bathroom is particularly gross, “mom’s choice” might mean giving it a wipe down. It is basically free license for me to ask them to do whatever I need in that moment.  Yup! That's my secret weapon. 

Do Your Kids do Chores?

Remember, every family is different, and there is no magic solution that will work for everyone. Let your child’s age and temperament guide the way for you.  I REALLY hope that this post does not come off as sanctimonious.  I hesitated to write it, because making other moms feel like they "should" be doing this or that IS NOT MY JAM.  Instead, I wrote it because I think what we've come up with just might work for you. It might make your life easier....and we all need life to be just a little bit easier.  

I would love to know what works in your family. Please tell me in the comments below.

Lastly, here are a few links for some other great ideas on chores and children: 

·    http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/parenting-challenges/motivating-kids-to-clean-up/age-appropriate-chores

·    http://www.scarymommy.com/kids-chores-more-successful-adults/

·    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/57983913928431981/

Thanks for reading along, 

Lizzie 

Top Ten Children's Books That You and Your Preschooler Will Treasure

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“There are many little ways to enlarge your world. Love of books is the best of all. ”
— Jacqueline Kennedy

I spent some time recently wading through our ever-growing collection of children’s books. In honor of World Book Day, I’ve pulled together a list of our favorites.  I’ve chosen the ones with beautiful words and pictures, the ones that make me feel nostalgic. I'm attracted to old, well-loved children’s books. Sadly, many of them are out of print. Still, you should be able to find a few old copies running around out there!  Here they are, our top ten books, guaranteed that you AND  your kids will love them.  These are the books that won’t make you want to skip over a few pages and call it a night. 

TOP 10 MOST LOVED BOOKS FROM THE WORKSPACE FOR CHILDREN: 

Good Night Baby Bear by Frank Asch:  A mother’s patient love when her cub can’t fall asleep.  This book highlights bed-time struggles that everyone has dealt with. The language and the pictures are breathtaking.

Thunderstorm by Mary Szilagyi: Hands down, the MOST comforting book about storms I’ve ever read. The language is simple and the pictures are expressive.  I could read this book a million times and not get annoyed. 

When I’m Angry by Jane Aaron: Does your child ever have tantrums? I thought so.  You need this book.  Every young child can relate.  It is told from a child’s perspective. Goes through the range of feelings about anger. The simple, collaged pictures really fit with the text. This book is perfection.

The Line Up Book by Marisabina Russo:This book reminds me so much of every three year old I know.  The little boy makes a line all the way from his room to his mom in the kitchen using toys and found objects.  I’ve watched countless children do exactly this.  Your child will be delighted to see the little boy complete his task and every parent will understand how mom feels!

Sam by Ann Herbert Scott: A younger sibling who cant do anything right! Everyone can identify with the main character, Sam. We've all been there. A great discussion  starter.

You Go Away by Dorothy Corey: A book for the very beginning stages of dealing with separation-anxiety.  I love to give this as a one-year-old birthday gift.  Simple text and pictures are perfect for the very young. 

Sam Who Never Forgets by Eve Rice: A book about zoo animals and empathetic friends.  Sure to be a hit with the two to four year old crowd. 

Into My Mother’s Arms by Sharon Jennings: Mother and daughter go through their daily routine.  Loving and engaging. A great classroom book for the Fall when children are missing their grownup.  Great book for cuddling and retelling your day.

Sometimes You Get What You Want by Lisa Brown and Meredith Gary: Simple and straightforward.  I love to read this when my stubborn 4yo is getting the best of me.  It’s magic.

On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott: A graceful tale of big-sibling jealousy.  The words and pictures reassure everyone that mother has enough love to go around.  I love to give this as ‘big brother/ big sister gift’ when a new baby arrives in a family.

An Egg is an Egg by Nicki Weiss: The most comforting book of all time.

 I hope you check out some of our favorites.  Please let me know by commenting below if you do.  

Thanks for reading along,   

Lizzie 

*This Post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support. 

 

“It’s light fell on the snow like warm honey”
— from Goodnight Baby Bear by Frank Asch

Crying is Allowed

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“The wider the range of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences. We must widen the range of topics and goals, the types of situations we offer and their degree of structure, the kinds and combinations of resources and materials, and the possible interactions with things, peers, and adults.”
— Loris Malaguzzi

People often ask me about the WHY behind the play.  Why is it important? What are they really getting out of these activities? Would their time be better spent at lessons or being taught to read and spell? Simply put, no. Their time is SO valuable.  And it is my mission to make sure its protected.  It is really important to me that my kids have the time to spend being bored, being dreamy, and playing.  In an effort to explain why, I am going to take you through a recent experience with my girls.

On this particular morning, I had  set up some loose parts and kinetic sand on our light table.   When the girls noticed the prompt, they began to work. As I went about my own work, I watched and listened. 

My 4year old set to work doing 4 year old things.  She scooped the sand and let it slip through her fingers.  She squeezed kinetic sand and then filled and dumped from a small container making smooth little mounds.  When she was satisfied, she added wire and wood chips to her little structure. 

My 7 year old, on the other hand, set to work doing important 7 year old things.  Same materials, different developmental stage.  The seven year old smoothed out a block of sand and then used the loose parts to write the word “LOVE” in the sand.  She shaped her letters out of rocks, sticks, negative space, and wood beads that she retrieved from our art cabinet. She rearranged the letters and spoke out loud about her spelling.  Making sure "LOVE" was spelled correctly was really important to her.

As the girls worked side by side, something important happened.  Something more important than letter writing, fine motor work or sensory exploration.  What happened? The girls ARGUED.  Sloane, at just four years old, is at an impatient moment in time.  She wants what she wants NOW.  Ruby, at seven, can be equally impatient, but in a different way.  She doesn’t want her work touched by sticky little fingers and she especially does not want to give up what she is using in an unreasonable time frame.  At seven, she is much more reasonable than at four.  She doesn't remember what it feels like to be four and so, she does not want to give in to four-year-old demands.  As you can imagine, this can lead to conflict.  With conflict comes learning, and that is the most important thing to me. 

The argument went down like this.  Ruby picks up the small silver cup that Sloane was using a few moments earlier.  Sloane screams and yells at Ruby that it’s HER cup.  Ruby calmly replies that she is using it and will give her sister a turn when she is finished.  Not good enough.  Sloane throws herself to the floor sobbing about the cup.  Ruby tries to talk her off the ledge, but unless Sloane has the cup in her hand, it's not good enough. Clearly, Ruby is not giving up the cup. This goes on for three or four minutes.  The tired mom in me fights the urge to get an indenticle cup from the cupboard and make Ruby trade.  But, the teacher in me forces myself to give them space to figure it out.  Eventually, Ruby is finished with the cup.  She tells Sloane, but Sloane is too far gone.  Sloane is committed to her outburst.  She carries on crying, and Ruby carries on working at the table.  And then suddenly, Sloane stands up, wipes her tears and announces, "I’m done crying now.  Ruby, you can keep the cup.  I'll use this stick to poke holes instead."  No one intervened, no one gave in to her demands, she had simply worked through it in her own time.  She was ready.  She had taught herself to cope.  

Children need to have the opportunity to argue and test emotional ideas.  Often, we solve these issues FOR children.  We “teach” them rules and phrases for sharing.  We inject adult notions of “fairness” into these innocent earlychildhood experiences. But don’t we KNOW that children learn best by doing?  I know that.  I’m sure of it.  With that being the case, I know they need the opportunity to try crying as a tool, to try talking, to try grabbing, and to eventually find the right tool.  I want them to learn how a peer might respond if they grab or cry.  I want them to learn how to communicate by communicating.  I want them to learn to negotiate materials, space and ideas.  This is why play is so important for all children.   

Our Top Playroom Picks

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Here come the gifts! The piles and piles of toys! Be grateful, right? Be happy for how fortunate we are to be given all these things.  But why do we have all these things and no one uses ANYTHING??  

When my big kids were toddlers, I remember feeling unsettled about the onslaught of toys around the holidays and birthdays.  Well meaning friends and relatives would generously gift the children with expensive toys that were meant to make us all happy.  But instead, I felt overwhelmed by the clutter and the children never seemed to use the toys after the initial excitement wore off. I felt guilty putting them in the closet or (gulp) donating toys that were just given to us.  As an Early Childhood Educator, I knew that a good set of blocks, some sturdy art supplies, books and perhaps a few dolls and trucks could keep my children playing for hours.  Despite the piles of plastic purses, fireman towers, and beeping, flashing balls, my kids returned again and again to their blocks, books and crayons.  The less they had, the more they played.  When our playroom was filled with overflowing piles of toys, it just didn't happen. 

Why won't children play when they have all these toys?  Think about walking into a huge grocery store.  You are hungry.  You need to make dinner.  You want to eat.  Your family will want to eat. And here you are.  Easy, right? Wrong.  So wrong.  You are overwhelmed. It's loud in there and the lights are so bright! Sale specials are constantly blaring over the loud speaker. You toss chips in your cart.  A head of broccoli. Hamburgers are on sale, you should get those. Oh wait, you need milk! Can you see where this is going? You end up in the long check out line with a full cart of random stuff and nothing for dinner.  You are still hungry.  Wallet empty.  Tired. Probably a bit cranky.  I imagine that this is how it feels to be a child walking into a messy playroom, full of loud, cluttered toys.  They want to play.  They NEED to play, but it is too overwhelming. 

Now, imagine yourself walking into a well organized, small  grocery store.  There are limited choices. Someone who knows you well has placed the basic ingredients that you need to feed yourself and your family. You place a few delicious objects in your cart. You can relax, and be productive.

 Now imagine your child walking into a play space that has only a few well chosen materials to work with.  The materials are open-ended, meaning that they can become whatever your child imagines.  There is clear space to play.  They know exactly where to find what they need.  Now imagine hours of peaceful, uninterrupted PLAY. 

I have three children.  They are nine, seven and almost four.  They have very different interests and personalities.  But ALL of our materials are open-endeded.  Every material in our playroom can become anything.    Our blocks are the probably the most important thing in our small playroom.  My nine year old builds huge intricate marble runs and towers that would impress an architect.  I swear he can defy gravity.  My Seven year old builds as well.  She makes homes for little critters.  if you remove the roof, you can look in and see rooms deep inside.  There are little beds that are cozy with colored bits of wool and fabric scraps for blankets. Her own mini art works hang on the wall. She uses her finger knittings to hang hammocks off the outside of the abode. My littlest uses the blocks constantly.  She doesn't "build" with them, really.  But boy can she play with them! She sets up little enclosures for her dolls, she pushes critters around on a "bus" and sends them off to school.  She processes her own life experiences, by transforming the blocks into whatever she needs in order to set the tone for her play. For me, that is the key;  open ended materials that can transform into whatever your child needs to set the tone for his or her play.  My best advice to you is to keep it limited.  Keep it simple.  Keep it open-ended.

Here is a list of my top five open-ended materials in our playroom right now.  

  1. Unit Blocks

  2. Waldorf Silks

  3. People and Animals

  4. Dollhouse

  5. Marbles

 

What works for your family in your playroom? Do you have any great ideas or materials that you love?  Let me know! Thanks for reading along, Lizzie

*This post is not sponsored in any way.  

Fun with First Graders

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A beautiful result of an exploration with clay, wire and natural materials.

Fall in the Northeast has fueled some serious creative love over here at The Workspace.  The colors, the shapes, the abundance of natural materials....this season lends itself to so much inspiration! Here is a project I recently did with some pretty awesome first graders. It was a simple process to set up, but the creations that the children came up with were anything but simple.  

Materials We Used:

How We Did It:

First, I laid out all of the materials on a long table in a visually appealing manner. Then, I gave each child a small ball of clay.   After that, they were free to create.  They colored, hole punched, poked, stacked and rolled.  Some children worked independently, some chose to help each other. They spoke quietly as they worked.  Each child interpreted the materials so differently, it was amazing!  The classroom teachers were incredibly patient and generous in allowing me to take over their classroom.  Im happy to say our exploration went off without a hitch.  Just check out the photos below.

WHY We Did It:

It's not often that our children are given the opportunity to create in an open-ended manner. Often, their "art" is prescribed.  They are presented with a set of pre-cut materials, a list of instructions, a pre-made model of what their "art" should look like. During this exploration, the children were offered the chance to make their own decisions.  They manipulated real materials and reflected their own life experiences.  They exercised fine motor skills as they pinched the clay, poked the wire and squeezed hole punchers.  They used rich language to talk about their creations, and reflected on science concepts as they explored natural materials.   Most importantly, there was a sense of community among the children.  They helped one another and they complimented each other's work.  It was a joy to work with these fabulous first graders and their wonderful teachers. 

A final collection of works.

A final collection of works.

Have you been inspired by Fall? I would love to hear about it.  Do you have questions or ideas? Please contact me.  

Thanks for reading along, Lizzie 

*this post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for your support.  

 

 

A Jungle Jumparoo Has Landed In Our Yard!

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We have a Jungle Jumparoo! And we LOVE it.

When the folks over at Jungle Jumparoo first contacted me about trying out this product, I wasn't really sure.  We've never had any kind of jungle gym or trampoline in our yard.  We have our tinkerspace, an open yard where we  run and play and lots of neighbors to ride bikes with.  If we want to climb, we are lucky enough to have a local playground just around the block.  I've never felt the need for any kind of climbing apparatus.  Also, I am not a trampoline fan.  Bouncy castles and trampoline gyms make me nervous.  If you know me, you know I support risky play for children.  I watch my 3 year old ride up and down our bike ramp with much older children. I've encouraged my 6 year old to jump off a cliff into the ocean below.  I often trust my littles with electric drills and hot glue guns.  But trampolines? Not so much.  Enter the Jungle Jumparoo.

It came in a super-heavy box that sat in our living room until we finally had time to put it together (thanks, honey!).  We set it up in our front yard so that all of the children in our neighborhood would have the opportunity to give it a go.   Minutes after set up, I looked at the kids jumping and laughing, and realized, WOW, THIS JUMPER IS THE REAL DEAL!  

I am always setting the stage for play in my home.  We have very few "toys" but we do have lots of loose parts and other open ended materials.  I have a criteria for the 'toys' that we keep in our home. When my children play, I want the materials to be able to meet them where they are in their own personal development. The materials must be multi-use and appropriate for all three of my children.  For example, a unit block can be used as industriously by a two year old as it can by a nine year old.  Will they use it in the same manner? No way!  Can they both use a unit block industriously? Absolutely.   Same thing with the Jungle Jumparoo.  

From the very littles,  all the way up to the adults, everyone is jumping on our Jumparoo.  The other morning, I observed as our little neighbor toddled up to the large bouncy tube and push against it, feeling his own weight come back against him.  He eyed up the colorful poles and reached up to feel them.  Meanwhile, my three year old climbed right into the middle of the tube and cozied up in the center with her lovey and watched the clouds role by above her.  Enter a gaggle of 5 and 6 year olds.  They came by and bounced, climbed, and monkey-barred around the top.  They made up a game using certain colored poles as "home" poles and the other colored poles were worth varying points.  They flipped themselves upside down and hung there and laughed and laughed.  My oldest child, nine years old, uses the jumper all the time. He and his friends can catch tons of air as they let off steam after school.  They jump and chatter and challenge one another to see who can get themselves higher.  I even gave it few bounces.  Yup, really fun!

One of my favorite things about living in my neighborhood is that children of all ages interact and play together.  There are kids of all ages everywhere!  ALL of these children can safely play TOGETHER on the Jungle Jumparoo.  Click HERE to see more safety facts on the Jungle Jumparoo vs a trampoline.

 We already own the large Jumparoo.  But now I kind of want the small one for our basement during the winter! And the accessories that are available are pretty cool too.  There's a rope swing attachment, a sprinkler, a ball pit, etc!!   Um, good thing the holidays are around the corner.  Right now, the creators of Jungle Jumparoo are offering you guys $100 off the purchase of your Jumperoo when you use the code WORKSPACE100.  

Do you have any questions for me regarding the Jungle Jumparoo? Maybe you want to know more about open ended materials? Reach out and let me know. 

Thanks for following along,  Lizzie 

*This post contains sponsored links from Jungle Jumparoo. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sewing with Children

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We have an on-going sewing project in our home.  It started last Spring as an invitation to create with needles, thread and beads.  

 One afternoon, I found a wooden window grate in our garage.  It was left over from some construction a few years ago.  I think it's the piece you pop into the windows to make them look sectioned off. I covered the frame in burlap and stapled around the edges to hold it on securely. Then, I set it out on the table with a small bowl of beads.  I pre-threaded some needles with varying string and yarn.  I want my children to be as independent as possible in their work, and I knew that threading the needles themselves would prove to be frustrating for little hands.

After school, the girls came home and sat down to work.   Ruby, age six, began sewing right away.  Sloane, age three, needed a little more instruction before she was able to work successfully.  I showed her how to sew, but I think she actually learned from watching and listening to her sister.  Ruby often thinks out loud while she works and it is a great learning resource for Sloane.  

The girls worked on this piece for a few weeks.  Then, we gave it to our best friends to work on and return.  A few weeks later Summer arrived and we headed off to the beach.  Sloane really wanted to pack this huge frame, but I was worried it wouldn't transport well.  She was very disappointed because her new found skill was such a source of pride for her.  Being capable of  a grown-up task like sewing made her feel so big and important.  

For the past few months, this beauty sat untouched in the window of our den/playroom. Yesterday, I noticed Sloane running her fingers along the different threads.  I asked her if she wanted to sew.  She lit up! After gathering some supplies, we spent a long time sewing and chatting and listening to music.  It was an amazing experience for me to see her development over the past few months.  Her fine motor skills have improved so much.  She was able to work much more competently than just a few short months ago.  I love how open-ended materials can provide that concrete evidence of growth.  

As I am upstairs writing this, I hear her little voice downstairs asking Daddy if she can sew for a few minutes before her nap.  

Here are the supplies you'll need to do this project (aff. links): 

  • window frame or any large wood frame
  • sturdy burlap fabric
  • sewing needles for children (we like these)
  • various beads (we like these and these)
  • thread and yarn (we like these and these)

 Do you have questions or comments? You can contact me here.

Thanks for following along with me! -Lizzie 

 

Halloween Love

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They used the materials that I had selected for them, but within minutes they were dipping into their own stash of supplies to add to the fun. Out came the glue guns and hammer and nails.  

I am a huge fan of Halloween.  Not the scary, gory Halloween, but the one with the creative costumes, candy, and excellent Autumn weather.  This year, Halloween snuck up on me.  I mean, of course I knew it was coming.  Just not that fast!  I found myself stressing over what is usually my favorite day.  The kids kept asking when we would put up the decorations and we hadn't even discussed costumes!  A quick trip to the dollar store changed everything.  These gangly skeletons were everywhere, begging to be brought home.  Then I saw a large bin of skulls.  My trunk was already full of pumpkins from an earlier trip to Trader Joe's.   It was not the best day for a messy project, but the skeletons made me do it!  Now it feels like Halloween is coming.  If only the kids could commit to a costume...   

Here's how it went down:

I set out the pumpkins, skulls and skeletons on the table and dug into my stash of art supplies. 

Out came the colored glue that we already had, loose parts in a repurposed paint pallet,  some hand-dyed wool (seriously, this is the gift that keeps on giving), and fun chalk markers.  Because my art supplies are generally kept in an organized manner, it is really simple for me to pull this all together.   

The kids came home and dove right in.  They were psyched!

The best part? This little lady has some new dolls to play with.  Here she is tucking them in before she goes to school!

The best part? This little lady has some new dolls to play with.  Here she is tucking them in before she goes to school!

Do you love Halloween art as much as we do?  Do you have questions or comments for me? Please reach out!

Thanks for following along, Lizzie

Stickers

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We love stickers over here at The Workspace.  This is an example of a simple invitation to create using stickers.  I put it together in just a few minutes, but I know that there will be hours spent creating with it.  

Stickers are a great fine motor exercise for little fingers. They are useful and fun for all ages.

For the very little ones, I peel stickers and tape in advance.  Here is an example of how I might adapt this tray for the toddler set.

Toddler Sticker Tray

Stickers are always a travel companion for us.  In every bag, in my coat pockets and in the glove compartment of our car, you will find baggies of stickers and small papers.  We use them in restaurants, at the doctor's office, in traffic, at Grandma's house, and just about everywhere else.

Have stickers, will travel.

Stickers are a mainstay in our art cabinet.  The children use them for patterning, collaging, making mandalas, making people and monsters.  They cut them, draw on them with sharpies, etc.  I try to remember to talk about only using stickers on paper or with other art materials. We talk about how stickers can ruin clothing, furniture and windows. 

Here is a list of our favorite stickers and trays for setting them out.  They are affiliate links, Thank you for your support.  

 

Do you use stickers in your home or school? Tell me about it. I would love to hear from you. 

Happy Stickering, 

Lizzie

Our Art Cabinet

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The Art Cabinet in our kitchen is the hub of almost everything that goes on in our home.  The children reach into the art cabinet just as many times a day as they reach into the fridge or the food pantry.

When choosing materials, I always go for simple, useful and inviting.  Everything is open-ended with multiple uses. 

Here are a list of basics:

·      Scissors

·      Ruler

·      Hole puncher

·      Stapler

·      Sharpened pencils and erasers

·      Various markers (these and these too!)

·      Clear Scotch Tape and Painters Tape

·      Glue 

·      Various Papers (cardstock, lined, graph, colored)

·      Twine or String

·      Blank Stickers  these and these!

 

Here is a list of Variables that I change with the children’s interests and needs:

·      Playdough

·      Toothpicks

·      Colored match sticks

·      Googly eyes

·      Beads

·      Mallets

·      Washi Tape  and Washi Stickers

·      Pipe cleaners

·      Paper clips

·      Felt

The most important thing, I think, is to value your  art space.  If you value it, the children will value it as well.  People often ask me how to help children care for their materials or how to keep things from becoming a disorganized heap.  If you care about the materials and are respectful of the space, your children will be as well.  Talk with them about how much easier it is to work in an organized space than a cluttered mess.  Express to them how much you respect their independence and creativity.  Allow them to use the materials how they see fit.  It might look like your two-year-old is wasting tape as she unravels an entire roll and sticks it in a jumbled heap.  But, it's not wasteful.  She is strengthening her fine motor skills and exercising her developing sense of self as she decides how much tape she needs and where she will put it.  Don’t expect a pretty product every time.  Trust your child to be the capable learner he or she is. 

Of course, the art cabinet requires regular maintenance.  I peek in the cabinet and do a one minute re-organization each day or so.  This keeps things ready to go whenever the mood strikes.  Yes, everyone will need to work together to clean up after a big creating session.  But an adult or capable over child will need to maintain the space. 

Do you have questions? Suggestions for me? Do you have an art cabinet? I’d love to hear from you. 

Thanks for reading,

Lizzie  

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