Remember a few weeks back when I shared my attempt to let go and just allow my kids, mostly my baby, to develop at her own pace?
Wel, I might have harbored a secret hope that once I blogged about it, she would instantly start walking, just to show me.
That did not happen.
So I'm back sharing my take on crafting and kids.
First- They are KIDS. Let them just do it for Peet's sake! Oh so often I see moms trying to "fix" their kids craft projects, spruce up their art, just make tiny adjustments to make it look better. Let it be. Let them color outside the lines, choose their own paint colors, glue something to the table.
This is an area where I think I excel.
About a month ago we did paint your own pottery, and I shared a 3-piece bowl with my 3 year old, and let my daughter do a bowl of her own. Then she made a penguin, I made another bowl, and my son made a mug, which is not pictured because it has turned into his "morning milk" mug at the breakfast table.
Notice how her bowl and mine are almost the same? Totally not on purpose, and I think hers (with purple on the outside) might even be better:)
I let my son do the insides of the 3-piece bowl and I tried to Kate Spade it up with the polka dots on the outside.
I love these things. It captures my kids' skills at a moment in time (and my skills as well!), and it just wouldn't be the same if I doctored them all up to make them perfect.
What do you think? Should we "help" our kids create more aesthetically pleasing crafts?
Jessica
I am so guilty of this and I know I need to relax more and let him do it. I am even a daycare teacher and I have caught myself asking them "do the eyes really go on the bottom?" It's terrible. I agree that it's their art and let them do it however they want. It's about the process not the product.
ReplyDeleteI am working on it.
In answer to your question: no, no we shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteThat, however, does not stop me from doing it anyway.
And then I always feel bad.
Mommy guilt is a special kind of guilt. Sigh~
It is so hard to let go though, right? But I do. It drives me crazy to see 5 and 6 years olds walking to school with these amazing dioramas -- or science fair boards (okay, guilty on on the science fair board front here) ... but if we keep doing it for them they'll never develop their own skills. And, again, easier said than done!
ReplyDelete:) Linda
I love doing pottery with my boys...we have their little bowls around that hold jewelry or other small items and they are such a fun reminder of them being so little! We haven't been in awhile so I'm thinking we need to go soon...it's so fun to do! Jesse @ Scout & Nimble
ReplyDeleteI'm so OCD and uptight, I know I'll struggle with this one day when I have children.
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids, but I'm all about letting them be and do what they can at their level, pace and skill set. I find it fascinating to watch. Love how all of the bowls came out. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are so adorable and I bet they feel so proud of themselves when you pull them out and use them :)
ReplyDeleteJust like the country song by Billy Dean... Let Them Be Little.
ReplyDeleteBliss
This is so cute. I love the thought that you're capturing their skills right now. Makes me want to go wake up Weston and craft with him. But not bad enough to actually go wake him up :)
ReplyDelete