I have really struggled to enjoy art with Bear and Fox. It is something I like the idea of but haven't worked out how to do. There are so many ideas that I've seen and would love to try but haven't got around to. I have collected a lot of materials that we could use but haven't. There are lots of things that keep holding me back. I'm intimidated by the potential for mess. I haven't set aside a designated art space. I don't have much experience doing art activities with children. I choose to fill our time with activities. Maybe I'm just not an art person. Maybe we're just not an art family. I think that it is good to CREATE. Creating is purposeful and meaningful. It is productive. It can be generous. Creating is a much more powerful experience than CONSUMING. On the one hand I am content with the identity of "not an art person" because there are infinite ways that a person can create apart from "art". We can draw, sew, write, build, design, engineer, garden, blog, photograph, bake... I think individually we will each have creative outlets that are comfortable, enjoyable, therapeutic and enriching. On the other hand I would like to persevere with art (here I am thinking the paper, paints, pencils etc kind of art). Art can be a way to experiment and explore. A time to appreciate what is beautiful and pleasing (and perhaps notice what isn't so beautiful). It is a chance to interact with new equipment. To use tools, hands, fingers in different ways. To become confident and skilful. I've made another attempt to enjoy art at our home. I have found an easel outside where mess is welcome. I've organised our art supplies in a way that is easy to get out and pack away and I've set aside a time once a fortnight to try out new art ideas.
Maybe with some practice we might become art people....
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It's not sickness keeping us at home this time but floods. Rain, rain and more rain. To avoid insanity we are still trying to stay outside as much as possible and enjoy our yard in different ways... Wet ways!! Muddy ways!! Slippery ways!! and creamy, sweet and warming ways.
More time at home = more time for adventures We recruited a handful of Damara sheep to help reduce the fuel for bushfires on our block. They have plenty to eat at the moment after so much rain but they are very greedy and are always looking out for a bit of a treat. The boys are always keen to give them a bit of a treat. First we need a bucket of pellets... Then follow the sheep trail across the paddock... ... through the trees... ... along the fence... ... find the dish and fill it up. Then sneak away to let them enjoy their snack in peace.
We find ourselves stuck at home again with another minor contagious illness. I feel so worn down by being confined within these same walls. Tidying up the same few rooms after my little whirlwinds is particularly demoralising. So we decided to plant some tomatoes... As soon as the children had been wrestled out of their pyjamas we headed out to buy some supplies.... and visit the pet shop... (just for fun) Then we're ready to work when we get home. Fox knows exactly what to do with a big bag of rocks and an empty pot. At 17 months he is very interested in putting things where they are supposed to go, at transferring little objects and in repeating the same thing over and over again. He was very happy with this work while Bear and I moved on with the next steps in a second pot. At 3 Bear can follow instructions and he can follow a sequence of steps. He helped me add the layer of scoria, then cut and lay the fabric then add the potting mix. He still enjoys doing things over and over again. So they happily worked together most of the morning while I was able to hang out the washing and do some weeding. Finally time to plant and water... ... and wait for some delicious tomatoes to eat!
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My name is Vicky and I have 3 boys - Bear (10), Fox (8) and Wolf (6). Somehow I stumbled across Montessori and now my goal is to raise and educate my children with a Montessori approach in Dubbo. Archives
April 2024
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