|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
HOMEBOOKMARKNEWSLETTERJoin our newsletter to receive news of offers and discountsSearch
AS FEATURED IN...Lucy Siegle On Eithical Living: Sunday March 5, 2006 The Observer
Navigation 3 Wheeler Twins And Tripples
3 Wheelers
9 Months To 11 Years
9 Months To 4 Years
Baby Bags
Bath And Changing Units
Bedding
Birth To 12 Months
Birth To 4 Years
Boori
Buggies
Buggy Accessories
Buggy Boards
Cot Accessories
Cots
Cribs
Grobags Sleeping Bags
Heritage Range
Highchairs
Monitors
Moses Baskets
Nappies
Nursing Chairs
Portable Highchairs
Rocking Horses
Starter Beds
Tandems
Travel Cots
Travel Systems
Twins
Walkers
Parening Books |
Why Creativity and Self-Expression are Important to Little Kids
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider themselves artistic. Parents do, however, worry about their toddler's art abilities. As a child care provider for the past 10 years, I've had many discussions with parents about 'how their toddler is doing' as far as getting ready for preschool or kindergarten. They worry a lot about the final product of their toddler's art projects. I try to explain to them that art is not just knowing how to draw a flower or a puppy, or whether or not little Jason colors in the lines. Little kids need to experience self-expression and the 'doing of art' more than having a page from a coloring book to hang on the refrigerator. When a two-year old puts his chubby little hand in a tub of finger paint and happily smears all of the colors together on the paper or when he makes yet another 'snowman' out of play-doh, he's creating. Granted, he will certainly tell you that his painting is his dad's truck even though you 'just can't see it.' The important thing to remember is that by allowing our little kids to experience art in their own way, we let them show us how they see the world around them, how they feel and think. I always enjoy art time with my toddler and preschool age groups. Yeah, they can make a mess, but they just wiggle with excitement when I take out the 'arts & crafts' tub of supplies! Having been a military wife and lived in a few different places, I've always returned to providing home day care. As a result, I've had to make do with whatever space I can find in the various homes we've lived in. There's not always a lot of room, but art can take place just about anywhere. I've found that the activity is most effective when it's pre-planned and when I've set goals for the activity. Art is important for toddlers because of the way it makes little kids feel special and good about themselves. When your toddler finishes a magazine cut-out collage and holds up his masterpiece to you with that beaming smile doesn't that make you feel good about both of you? Through creating simple art projects, that same toddler is not only learning to take pride in his accomplishments, but also to think and refine his hand-eye coordination and physical skills. Through art, children learn to identify colors, cause-and-effect, shapes, problem solving, sharing and cooperation among many other skills. Parents must remember to ask toddlers or preschoolers questions about their projects that will make them think about what they've made rather than ask them 'What is that?' For example, 'C.J., tell Mommy about your painting.' C.J will start to talk about his work or anything else he feels important at the time! This also shows your child that you are interested in what he thinks and aren't' just confused about what you see! Make sure to hang the art work up in a prominent place in your home so the entire family can enjoy it. Art experiences are a major part of a toddler's daily activities. They have grown enough to grasp objects and tear paper and hold crayons and brushes. Naturally they are thrilled with the anticipation of a new art project, and most importantly, with the quality time spent with the important adults in his/her life. About the author: Sherry Frewerd is a WAHM who has provided Registered Home Child Care for over 10 years. She is a wife and the mother of 3 expressive children ages 21 years, 13 years and her busy toddler age 2 years. Make sure to visit her website http://familycrockpotrecipes.com where you will find various ways to not only create quick and delicious meals for your family, but creative activities to keep your little ones busy as well. Start a New Family Tradition Today!
MORE RESOURCES:
babies - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Parenting Your Teenager: The Power Struggle Q: My husband and I are at a loss as to what to do with our two teenagers. They have been great kids and all of a sudden it seems like we are in teenage hell! We keep fighting to see the kids we once knew, and they keep fighting to get their own way. Valuable Parenting Tip Very often, new parents rely on a parenting tip or two which is passed to them by their own folks, who are now grandparents and usually have plenty of reliable advice to share. If this sort of parenting tip and advice is not available however, new parents could run into all sorts of problems while trying to raise a healthy baby. Backpacks and Bullies. Is Your Child Prepared? As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents are left to ponder more pressing issues than notebooks, backpacks, and sneakers.Will my child succeed this year? Will his academic and social growth meet my hopes and expectations? Have I done everything I can to make this possible?If you haven't prepared your child for the school bully, not only could your dreams and aspirations end in failure, but your child could fall victim to the violence, and suffer long-lasting repercussions. Aptitude, Achievement, Processing Deficit - What Does It All Mean? You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning disabilities. They have been explaining what they will be looking for when they test your child. The Seven Keys to Child Obedience Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This is the tool that allows you as parents to train your child. Honey I Can't Afford The Kids Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually ? which then with time and much financial investment grow up to be beautiful mutations of their parents. Yet as the family absorbs more money as it grows, the need for financial planning and protection becomes more important. How to Teach Anger Management to Your Child Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around us, due to intolerance, and many of us blame it on somebody else. Parents teach their children, all the time, and when one of us displays "road rage," while our child is in the car, we teach a brand new skill set. Secrets from the Classroom: Avoiding Summer Learning Loss In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as they packed up their bags for the final time, and began a much awaited summer vacation. For many this two-month academic hiatus is cause for celebration. Children Need Roots and Wings "Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas SalkThe first time I heard this quote, it made me think. Teaching Reading : Part Two We know that you want your little guy or gal to have the best start. The greatest thing you can do for your child is to provide a home filled with love and laughter. Where Is Your Homework, Lisa? Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in public schools, but for what seems like 100 years, I did. During my long career, I did the best I knew how to do at the time, based on where I was in life, and what I had learned about teaching. Parenting Your Teenager: How to Respond to Manipulation Q. My daughter has gotten very good at manipulating us, and sometimes we do not even know it has happened until much later. How to Create an Emotional Bond with Your Child One of the most powerful tools that parents have for raising their children is the natural emotional bond that exists between them and their child. Children who feel close to their parents will have a strong desire to obey them. Whos Your Daddy? How to be a Great Dad in 5 to 7 Minutes I am a dad. I have been now for over 8 years. Guerilla Parenting Techniques: What Are They? When you hear the phrase, 'guerrilla parenting techniques', what images come to mind? I see a big, broad shouldered soldier, dressed in green fatigues, with brown paint on his face. His chest is crisscrossed with ammunition for the guns strapped on his legs. What About Competition? Are Your Kids Ready? Life is full of competition -- even in childhood. Kids compete for good grades, the attention of their parents and teachers, and even to get picked for 'the right team' in gym class. Advising Teens? Getting Your Point Across Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a teenager to take that advice is another matter altogether. It's not only a case of the advice 'falling on deaf ears', sometimes the teenager seems to go deliberately out of their way to do the exact opposite, that's when you know you've got a problem. Parenting Your Teenager: 7 Tips for Back to School Success Blink. That's all we did, blink, and summer is ending and a new school year is beginning. Get Down (On The Floor!) And Play With Your Children When was the last time you and your kids rolled around on the floor together laughing yourselves silly? If you're like me, it may have been a while! Sometimes I get caught up in household chores, give errands a priority or answer the phone when I know I should let it ring, instead of making time for my two daughters. It's not that I don't play with them; just the opposite is true. When Your Childs Adoption Story Changes: Nothing But the Facts or is It Nothing are the Facts? Elana, born in Russia, was told "We really don't know why your birth family couldn't care for you.""Katie, adopted from China, cherishes an item from a birth parent: a red note that was enclosed with her blanket.
|
