Originally Posted by
Maza
I was going to suggest playdough too, but come to think of it loocyloo, I have also seen so many parents just roll it out and cut shapes. It's like they find it therapeutic for themselves, yet I have heard so many parents ban it from their home because it gets messy - or moan because the children mix the colours!
I have seen a few early years places who put written prompts in the middle of an activity/table with suggestions on how the parent could play more creatively with their child, so for example, with playdough and candles there could be a sign which says "How old are you? Can you find that number of candles and put them on a playdough cake?" - or words to that effect. I'm sure we have all seen it before. Then, if you see one parent do it, consider your effort a huge success and don't focus on the others who sat and cut shapes for their children. At my local surestart centre, there was an absolutely amazing teacher who ran the sessions. I used to hear her praise the parents who were doing something constructive with their child and then point out the great qualities/results which the parent had facilitated through their interactive play. She didn't do it in a condescending way at all - it made the parents feel good and hopefully enlightened some of the others. I also used to go to my local '1 o'clock club' (sadly no longer exist due to funding) and I heard lots of childminders there moaning because at another group the leader had taken away all the adult chairs so that the adults couldn't sit around and chat and instead had to get on the floor and play with the children. It's a battle that we have to keep fighting I think. We can't give up.
It's St Patricks Day coming up Floradora - I know you have always enjoyed doing lovely activities for that. It would be lovely to hear what you are doing this year if you are with little ones.