Just know that, it only gets better friends! Truly. Every single experience your provide your little one, strengthens their background knowledge, confidence and memory of adding in new skills.
Starting Out...
Our arts and crafts weren't neat, clean or organized when we first started and y'all know that's just the truth. If you are just starting to expose your little one to crafting, science, sensory bins or anything like that, know that it's okay if it's insanely messy at first and not Pinterest worthy. It's okay.
Pro Tip-
Our biggest tip for setting you BOTH up for success is to always have your materials ready ahead of time so that there is no wait time while you have to run into a cabinet to grab one more thing. Trust us, this is where the chaos can happen, especially if you are just starting out. If it's a salt dough recipe, pre measure what you need into the correct measuring cups, so that your little one can pour the ingredients in when it's time. If it's a water color activity, grab EVERYTHING including a smock to have what you need ready to go. Preparedness here is your KEY to success.
Tip 2-
Only try activities that YOU are comfortable with. It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing. It just doesn't. Your little one will eventually get there with practice and patience, but if you are stressed doing the activity, they'll sense it and it's just not something you are going to do again. So if you aren't into rice bins, or finger painting, don't put that type of stress on yourself. It isn't going to change the trajectory of their growth. You'll find the activities that you are comfortable with and grow together along the way.
Tip 3-
Baby steps. Start with one skill at a time, like pouring, or mixing. Do these things in isolation, in a large bowl, with a mat or towel underneath so it's just easier clean up. These are big skills for little ones that require a great deal of coordination and focus. Celebrate the victories of not having the water EVERYWHERE but the bowl, or the paint actually making it to the paper.
Tip 4-
Show your little one the action first. They are watching your every move. Model as much as you can, set the expectation and work together! When we introduce a new skill, we try to encourage our toddlers to have quiet hands. THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN! Like really, we get it. But we try to use language like this- "I can't wait for you to try this! Watch mommy! Put your hands at your side/Fold your hands/Have quiet hands (whatever works here)! See how I'm doing blank? Now you try!"
Tip 5-
If your little one wants to put everything in their mouths, which is SO common, have an easy replacement snack nearby, like goldfish. Safe options are what we call them lol. It helps to show them, this is food and this is safe. This is art, and we don't eat this. We get it that that seems pretty obvious, but the repetition of this language is a game changer and soon, they will be repeating this to you. Also, you know your little one best. If they aren't ready for a specific activity, don't let social media or pinterest make you feel like they are behind at all. We have NEVER done a rice bin, and I don't think we will. And if that's your favorite activity, that is incredible for your family. Just do what you are comfortable with and what is successful for you and your little one.
The main point here is that baby steps are amazing progress. Set yourself up for success so that you don't find yourself hating the activity. Think about your toddler, and what they might be ready for next! Maybe it is making a salt dough ornament, or even a baking soda and vinegar snowflake reaction- there are so many amazing ideas on pinterest! We like to save the ones we use to our account here- so feel free to follow along and save some time searching!
Let us know what you try and how it goes!
Karlie and Kim
Comments