Let Kids Be Kids

Lately I have been trying really hard to let kids be kids. Things like:
-letting them jump in rain puddles, knowing their clothes will get wet but can dry
-letting them play in the sandpit without me watching closely to make sure the sand stays in the sandpit
-letting them eat dinner with their fingers instead of insisting on using a fork/spoon
-being ok with Daniel doing craft activities from his craft box and just letting him go with his ideas

It may not sound like much but to me it is. I like to be in control. I don't like mess. In my classroom with potentially messy tasks I would only have a couple of students at a time complete the task to avoid mess.

This week Daniel asked if he could do some painting and I thought 'why not'. While Alexander napped I made a batch of cornflour paint and left it to cool. After a feed and a play Alexander went back to sleep and I set up painting for Daniel and Eliza. Daniel was given a Playschool book from Aunty Jen and the first activity in it was making box cars. I thought this might be fun to do with the kids.

I placed down the painting mat that we used when painting the house and then brought out the kids' pram and 2 cardboard boxes and just let them paint. Eliza embraced it so much more than Daniel did but both of them had a lot of fun. 

Daniel wanted to paint details on his car. Things like windscreen wipers, headlights, windscreen, doors. He wasn't too keen to paint all the cardboard. He then decided to finish painting and run around, play with his ball, water the garden, etc. 

Eliza was all about the paint. She just loved mixing the colours, painting over and over the same spot, just getting messy. It was gorgeous to watch! 

Alexander woke and had a feed while Daniel and Eliza continued to paint. He then was content to sit on the rug in the bouncer and watch the other 2. 

I really need to embrace painting more and take advantage of the drop sheets so I don't stress about mess.

The next day we then made box cars from the painted boxes. The kids have had a wonderful time racing around the house, standing at the starting line, driving all around. I love it when they enjoy playing with something we make. 

Daniel's car

Eliza's car

'Red light. On your marks...

Get set

GO!