May 19th, 2009 Talkback- Are you crafty? Posted by Melitsa in play activities

I’m not very crafty at all.  But we craft. Why? It’s not about what you produce at the end but going through the process itself. OK….it helps if it resembles something like what you intended but diversions and new directions because your child has had a different idea are all fine. Imagination and the ability to act on it without being filled with worry is a skill to develop with our kids. Taking chances as well as knowing when you are beat and to give up…..gracefully ( No tantrums and throwing said item is not the answer)  are easily practiced at home.

Projects that don’t work out, as you wanted, are great talking points for both of you. Let’s face it many things don’t work out as an adult and what we say to ourselves to move on and start again or give up really define who we are and how successful we become.

We craft.

We play.

We learn to appreciate our efforts and celebrate when they improve.

We appreciate others who are talented with crafts.

Despite my ‘uncraftiness success’ the kiddos really like crafting and usually make things pretty well. I have to move past my ‘uncraftiness success’. Whatever our dislike maybe…….. of painting, biking, taking a hike, water play, (Enter your pet hate hereXXXXX) shouldn’t stop the kids from enjoying any of these things. Variety and opportunity is what fuels the baby, todder, preschooler and Kindie child. If you’re a 100% crafty parent I want to encourage you to not always have a fixed aim/product outcome in mind. The outcome doesn’t always have to be high quality all the time; redone until it’s perfect or you complete it to make it look great.

Other people who provide a mix of fun play activities

Here are their twitter names. Click to go to their website.

@kiddio

@NTFF

@ajpassey

@balmeras

@littlesheep

@Lets_explore

Play activities come in all shapes and sizes. Social development through play is just as important.

Now it’s your turn to share…..Share what you find hard doing with your kiddos. Do you naturally do certain activities? sewing, crafting, photography, biking- to the exclusion of most others? or share your tips on keeping a balanced play life even when you don’t like doing some activities?

Know any other cool play people. Let me know.

Thanks for stopping by

Melitsa Avila is a former teacher, mother of three boys and military wife who talks about living an intentional play lifestyle using practical and everyday play activities to do with the under 5s. She publishes related ebooks & newsletters. Melitsa is the host and producer of a weekly Early Childhood radio show: Raising Playful Tots bringing parents and carers together with Early childhood practitioners. Thanks for reading!

Melitsa

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