Fun-ness

Heres a couple of things the mooch and I have been working on. There is strong guidance from me, obviously, but he is really enjoying threading, tearing, scribbling, putting the lids on and off the textas, sticking, stapling (with help) and just loving new and engaging things to do. These actvities work best when I follow my own simples rules:

• have an idea of what you want to make
• have all materials ready including a drop sheet or table cover
• assist, guide and show rather than let him do whatever he likes, this way he learns the rules of how to be safe and careful and respectful. He can have self expression, but he needs to know some limits (in terms of how to behave etc) first
• keep calm and relaxed and be excited for him with lots of encouragement
• display the finished artwork in his room or on the fridge and get Daddy to talk with him about it later in the day or another day

These and other ideas are so simple if you have a box of goodies that you can delve into at any time. The 100yen shop is awesome for collecting materials but you can use anything around the home like old drink bottles, foil, pegs newspapers etc etc. One of the best activities I have found keeps him occupied while I make dinner, is sit him on the floor and in a big metal colander, fill it with all the teaspoons from the draw. Have another big metal bowl next to the colander and he swaps the spoons from bowl to bowl while banging and making a lot of noise. He loves it and it is very easy to clean up afterwards!!