I honestly believe that reading The Danish Way of Parenting really made me lean into so many parts of parenting that I truly loved. Hygge. The Danes are famously the happiest people in the world, and hygge is a cornerstone of their way of life. Hygge (pro-nounced Hoo-ga) loosely translates as a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. You know hygge when you feel it.
And that is exactly how I look at invitations to play, an unscripted and only gently inviting kiddos to an activity. I usually start with a candle or two, low music or a book that we are reading. And then I spread out supplies, paper, scissors, markers, pencils, ribbon, glitter pens, pom-poms, googly eyes and glue are our usuals.
After that I just let them create, glue, glitter, color, paint and this is when they will happily sit the longest. I will sometimes pick out a craft or two to print and leave on the table so they can have something to work on, if they want to. Or suggest they make thank you or birthday cards which can always be useful.
The idea of the invitation to create, without pushing kids to do something specific, by just providing the different materials and giving them the space and time to do this. These can seriously be anything you have on hand, it can be to paint, to water color, play-dough, play store with play money & different supplies, play restaurant, build with blocks, science experiments, pretty much anything. And creating the right ambiance is just a brilliant way to get work done as a mama or simply just enjoy them sitting in one area. And since we are still not doing very much outside of our bubble, we have more time to do these and less running/rushing to the next things. This is one part of the pandemic that I really do appreciate and we will continue to make time for these little invitations.
Next week I am going to print out some Mother's Day crafts and put out supplies for them to make them for their grandma's and thought I'd round up some favorite, easy crafts here for all of you.
10 Mother's Day Crafts For Kids
Recycled Paper Bag Purse - this would be a really cute gift bag.
You can get these little flower pots and make these handprint ones.
Handprint bouquet is adorable.
Love these adorable pencil holders with a can or jar!
Painted Pasta Necklace is one of my favorites.
OMG this bean art craft looks so fun, and actually pretty! Here they are on paper plates, just perfect for expired dry beans or even dollar store ones.
Suncatcher looks so fun with flower pedals!
I love this rainbow collage and would put grandma's name on it!
Homemade popsicle stick frames with a photo would be so adorable.
Salt Dough Heart Charms would be so cute!
I challenge you to create a little invitation to create with one of these crafts in mind. Remember it's easy, set the mood, collect and lay out the supplies and give them the idea of a craft but do not micromanage, instead sit back and let them lead the way on how to create. If you feel like they need more direction, just show them the craft, and mention that this is an idea that you were thinking but that they can make it any way they want.
The more you do it, the more you set up the invitation and let them lead the creativity the more comfortable you will all get in it. And you may even find them grabbing craft supplies and recycle materials to create by themselves!
xoxo
Natalie
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