Making Art At Home: My Favorite Art Supplies for Toddlers
Toddlers need you to participate in these experiences WITH them.
They’re too little to be left alone
with art materials.
If you hand your child a box of crayons,
then get on the phone or step in the shower
you’re asking for a mural (or worse)
upon your return!
Here’s my reply:
“Yes, of course we all run into the problem of the captain-destructo age of 2+,
that’s how our youngest daughter got her nickname of Mini-Saurus
because she destroyed everything my older daughter was playing with.
I recommend focusing on sensory experiences
and playing with materials
rather than trying to actually make anything.
I think a lot of moms are in the same situation as you.”
you the mom have to be willing to deal with some mess,
putting it on the floor on top of a small
table cloth makes it easier to clean up
when you’re done.
At first, your child will need some help
learning how to keep most of it in the box
and may need a gentle reminder
if they start throwing it everywhere.
Something like, “I see this is too exciting right now,
why don’t we put this away (in the garage, in another room out of sight)
and we’ll play with it again after nap/lunch/tomorrow
when you’ll be ready to keep it in the box.”
This way, you’re not screaming like mommy dearest
but you are letting your child know, gently,
that there is a right way to play with the sensory box.
Once they get the hang of it,
you will even be able to do things like
fold a load of laundry or start dinner
while your child/children play peacefully with the box.
This may be obvious, but
only bring out one box at a time
unless you want a giant mess to deal with later.
It can be very meditative scooping and pouring
and calm-inducing if you’re working with
sand/rice/or oat meal.
Source: Pink and Green Mama
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