Self-directed craft fun

Wherever possible, I like to allow my little people to lead the way and as a result I take a baby-lead approach to most things in my life as a parent. I firmly believe that children learn best when a supportive adult is present and engaging with the activity, but yet not actively involved in the process. I try to ask guiding questions, show interest and enthusiasm for their 'product' but allow them to own the experience themselves.

My three and a half year old is very keen to craft, she loves seeing a 'thing' she has made and adores giving her 'things' to anyone who happens to pop into the house (including the meter reader people!). I had been thinking of ways to make the creative process for making collages (her absolute favourite activity) a little more Olivia lead. So I came up with this!



I got these little drawers from a one pound discount shop and filled them with small amounts of our collage 'bits and bobs'. Liv is very fond of them and calls them her doodle drawers!

During this session, she decided to make rainbows with her glitter glue and pile some of her sparkly sequins on top. I asked her what she thought would happen if she used a brush to spread the glue out and she was thrilled to notice the sparkle of the glitter all over her page.

Sadly, she appears to have drown a little Easter chick in the glitter glue. Poor little guy.