Cal has always loved to paint. Yesterday he was in a feverish haze all day; we spent some time looking through photo albums to distract him. I was struck by how many of the photos from his cooperative preschool days as a one and two year old involve painting. Admittedly I try to keep painting an activity done at school, but as the kids get older the messes and potential for ingestion diminish, and so we paint more. Particularly on Fridays, when Cal and I spend the day together and he gets to choose what we do. I find it very hard not to presume an interpretation of his art. One way I avoid doing this is transcribing what he says while we paint (pictured in the top photo). It keeps me busy, and focused on his words. My maternal Grandmother did some of this in my childhood, as well as lots of taping of conversations between me and my cousins and siblings, and I am so grateful to have those today.
20 comments:
you are such a wonderful mother!
and hope the little guy is feeling much better today...
xo
How special those words will be one day. That is a such a great idea Lecia. I love the concentration on his little face...and those eye lashes!
What a great idea. I wish this was something I had thought to do when mine were that age. These are words to treasure.
Wonderful pictures and a memoriable idea. I love my framed pictures of my daughters art work. Enjoy your week!
so cool that you do this! have to admit, it's been awhile since i've busted out any paints.... i like that divided palette.... may i ask where you found it?
Lecia, I love how Cal enjoys art. You are one lucky mom to have so many priceless art pieces throughout your home. I LOVE children's art. I jump with thrill when one of my friend's children give me one of their pieces.
I was just mentioning this morning to my husband as he was playing the guitar before work, how important I think it is for when a child shows an interest in art, drawing or musical to help them expand. The reason for our conversation is one of our friend's son so wants to learn and they asked G to teach him, now one of his little buddies want to learn too. lol...
I hope your day is a colorful one! xoxo
He is prolific! Love it. And I feel bad that I don't help Hank break out the paints more, because Lord knows he would love it. The two year-old painting is just. . .such a production, you know? And an epicenter of huge messes. Maybe now that the weather is getting warmer we can paint out on the back porch.
I love how you wrote down the dialogue. My youngest is 8 -- I think I will do this soon before they are all teenagers!
Painting is always such a problem. They love it...I get nervous about the mess. Given that we've had paint wind up on everything from the couch to the dog, I think my concerns are merited. Ah well. Art is more valuable than a clean house!
yay painting! i can relate with cal- i want to paint all the time
our freecycle easel has been a steadfast friend in our home. and our deck? on beautiful days, the perfect place to find paint inspiration!
nicola
htpp://whichname.blogspot.com
I wish himm feel better! I think paint is great for child developement!
Kisses
In the summer, I am so generous about the kids painting - on the porch. When they paint indoors, I end up being their harrassed assistant.
One of the best parenting tidbits I ever heard was about what to say when a child shows you his artwork: "Ooh! Tell me about this!" It lets the kid be in charge of interpretation, and prevents us grownups from saying dishearteneing things like, "What is that?" or feeling the need to appraise the work in some way. I find it a huge relief to have that phrase to fall back on. And my kids love telling me about their work.
great photos and i love that idea...when we were young my cousins, sister and myself use to make up our own commercials and now we have them on tape too. So fun!
Elissa: I got all the supplies from Lakeshore Learning. They are good quality but overly expensive, I think. Check discount school supply online, or even use a muffin tin!
Susie: great suggestion - thank you! I will try to remember to do it.
Becky: when Cal was Hank's age I wasn't doing as much of this...luckily he had a cooperative preschool to attend where he could paint every time (twice a week).
kid and RID: thank you for your well wishes for Cal; sadly he's still really sick. I'm worried he's developing pneumonia.
Firstly, hope that Cal is ok and feeling better.
Painting while sick or drawing is always the perfect remedy to help me feel better. Words or wordless.
pve
Wow tapings of conversations from childhood what a great memory.
That's such a great idea - thanks for sharing it! (And I hope Cal is feeling better...)
Oh, how I *wish* someone had taped/transcribed mine and my brother's conversations! We crack each other up now, so I can't even imagine what it would be like listening to ourselves 30 years ago! :-)
I hope Cal is feeling better...sounds like he's taken a turn, and not for the better. :-( I' sending colorful, happy thoughts his way!
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