Creativity at it's Best

Creativity at it's best:

 

I've let this project go on for about 3 days so far.  This has been JV's idea from the beginning.  I've given no directions.  It's unstructured play at it's best.  Sure, it's a bit messy leaving this project on the kitchen floor, but I've noticed that he's been whining less and has taken more control and pride in his work.  He even cleaned up a spill that he had, without whining for me to do it.  From the role of a child having to do what everyone else wants and when they want to do it, I have to imagine that it's nice knowing that he can completely control something from start to finish. 

 

So yes, my floor is a mess, but my child it happy and that's what really matters. 

Kiddywampus

Today we went to Kiddywampus' Art Studio.  They have lots of craft ideas, but you can pretty much create anything you want.  JV started with dinosaur crafts, but spent the majority of the time painting on the wall. 

 

 

He's painting the ocean.

 

Working on his dinosaurs.

 

Below is JV's masterpiece, an ocean: sea turtles, fish, sharks, and of course, fish food included. 

 

Showing off his dino projects.

 

"Cheese!"

A Messy, Fun, Day

 

Today JV wanted to do "projects".  I found a cute candy cane craft at No Time For Flashcards.  Since we were downstairs I simplified it a bit and here's what we got:

 

JV wasn't ready to stop gluing after finishing his candy cane so I gave him a gingerbread man pattern that was too small for another project, a couple pieces of left over scrapbooking paper, and the glue bottle.  

 Above:  He is gluing a "hat" onto the Gingerbread man

Below: He is applying glue from each side of the table. 

 Next he wanted to play with his Lego's so we cleaned up the crafts and brought his box of Lego's downstairs.  I set it up and then went to the computer to order Christmas presents.  He was happily content for at least 20 minutes.  I think it's safe to say his attention span is getting longer!

Nice work!  This "baby" has a house.

Because he has been reluctant to take a bath lately, I persuaded him into the tub with colored shaving cream that he could paint the walls with.  

He also painted his body.

 "Yellow!"

Look at that focus.

Night night Tally the Elf!



A 2 year old's Christmas Tree

A Christmas Tree

 

We've decorated our tree, hung our stockings, and Tally the Elf has made his appearence for the season.  The only thing left to do is a Christmas project!



This is a look of concentration.

 

Squeeze! 

Watching the glue come out.

 "Can we stop with the pictures, mom?"

Posing for a picture with his Christmas tree. 

 He was very proud of himself and he should be☺

A 2 year old's Christmas Tree



4th of July

Celebrating the 4th of July started off at Brooklyn Park Library.  It was our 1st 'toddler storytime" event and I was quite pleased with the way it was run.  It was like going to preschool for 45 mins.  The theme of course was 4th of July where the librarian alternanted between a book, a felt board story, book, song, and finally gave out flags for the children to march with. 

While we were there, JV didn't care to march with the other kids, but when we come home he literally ran in circles with Shogun as he cheered with the flag.

Running in circles:

Showing his flag to Shogun:

Later I had him make a the American flag.  I started by having him color this flag blue knowing that I would only be using the star portion for our project.  Because he has the attention span of a 2 year old, after all, he is almost 2, we took a break when he was done.

When he wanted to do more art projects I brought out the white paper and red stripes that I had cut the day before.  After showing him how to dip the q-tip in the glue and rubbing it on the paper I stepped back and let him work his magic.

While he was busy glue the stripes down, I cut out the stars section of the flag from earlier.

Here he is putting a little extra glue on the stars.  I guess he really wanted it to stick...LOL.

Happy 4th of July!

 Last, but not least, was a cookout with our friends.  Someone is VERY happy to be here!

 How cute is he?

And of course, you can't have a 4th of July cookout with out an American dish.  This could be the most delicious sugar cookie flag EVER!

A Rainbow of Colors

Here is a quick and simple art project that I call "A Rainbow of Color".

First, I set out primary colors for P (11 mths. old) knowing that they would all blend nicely together.

Next, I put a dab of each color on finger paint paper.

Then, I let P splat, squish, and rub the paint as he wished.

And here is the finished product:

A Rainbow of Color!

Helpful Tips:

1. Give young children pacifiers (if they will take it) to keep paint out of their mouths.

2.  You could have older children make a rainbow shape, but let young children experiment with the paint.

3.  A bowl of warm soapy water and baby wipes make clean up a snap.

4.  Above all, HAVE FUN!!!

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