Something to do!

I came across this awesome book by David Lucas:

Niamh and I love it! (Maybe I love it more :)
David Lucas is an amazing Author.  His pictures are simple yet he conveys such meaning.

This is a classic book especially at this time of the year when kids are on school holidays and complaining about being bored.

I believe it's a good reminder to myself that I don't always have to think things up or construct things for Niamh to do.

It's so important for the development of their imagination that they think up things to do for themselves.

I have only shown a couple of pages from the book......It's beautiful!!

So let's encourage our children to have a bit of "Nothing to Do" time these holidays so that their imaginations may soar!

Happy Holidays!!

Yoga

Yoga is something I aspire to do more of!! It's on my list of  40 Things .  The practice of  Yoga gives mental peace at the same time as a consciousness of one's own body. I believe it has tremendous benefits for children. I use it with my students at school when I can.

Niamh and I had a combined Yoga session yesterday.  I put on a DVD and off we went.
Guess who was the most flexible!?  ;)

I highly recommend the book Like a Fish in water by Isabelle Koch.  It's recommended for children aged five years and up.
It's full of colourful pictures with gentle Yoga sequences.  And it uses a language children can understand.

Fi x

Towards learning to draw......

Firemen and a Fire truck

My friends and family are often amazed at my three year old's drawing ability.  I believe it's mainly the result of her wanting to participate in any activity I'm involved in.  I usually have a pen or brush in hand and of course she has to have one too!! 


Lil Miss Three has been mark making for as long as she's been able to hold something in her hand. 


I rememember buying her a small magnetic board when she was eighteen months old. She used it:

*In the pram.
*In the car.
*In the shopping trolley.
*And in her cot.

I found a big princess one at a local garage sale. $5 well spent! She still uses it regularly today!  It's wonderful because it creates no mess and can be used over and over again.






I bought some bath crayons which Lil Miss One used:
*On the bath.
*On the shower screen.
*On herself
*And on me!!
When we showered together she used her hands and fingers to draw marks on the fogged up shower screens.

I set up a permanent art and craft table.  On it I had

*Paper
*Cardboard
*Pencils.
*Crayons

And with each stage of development I added more things:

*Glue
*Textas
*scissors
*stickers

I pre cut shapes from cheap coloured paper and she loved putting them together to make houses, trees, cars and trains.





When we were outside I'd put water in a bucket and give Niamh a big paintbrush.  I encouraged her to make marks on:
*The pavement
*The walls
*The rocks
*The cubby house

I think providing the opportunity for regular (supervised) exploration with a variety of tools has enabled Miss Three to colour and draw.
This exploration was very messy at times.  I kept her away from walls and out of precious clothing during the early days.

I'm a big believer in providing these opportunities on a consistent basis.  Mark making and learning to draw is a wonderful basis from which they can then learn to write.