*Kid Friendly Projects - Part 01*
This is part one of a series where I intend to give step-by-step instructions for different kid-friendly projects. I will be doing articles on projects for mostly younger kids (pre-school and elementary school-age).
Keep in mind that learning is an individual experience. Some kids develop reading and writing skills early on, while others tend to be more physical early in childhood and get more verbal as they mature. The most important thing to keep in mind is that most children will eventually catch up with each other. Based on teachers I've spoken with and other child-care providers, this usually ends up being around 3rd grade or so (8/9/10 years of age).
There is a wide variety of the types of projects you can do with your kids. Try to be involved in at least part of the process. Equally important, give your child a chance to try things on their own. Let them get dirty, let them make a mistake, and let them learn from their mistakes. All children are different and different things will keep them motivated. Try to follow their lead and see where their interests take them.
On that note, here are just a few ideas of the categories of projects you can do with your kid(s):
Crafts – building something, creating something out of ordinary household objects, inventing something new out of something old
Art – drawing, sculpting, painting, coloring, tracing, doodling
Cooking – preparing recipes, making a meal, developing recipes, learning about the way things taste
Writing/Story-Telling – making books, making movies, writing or directing plays, puppet-shows
And those are just the things I can think of to put into a category. There are so many ways you can get involved with your children. These things can help build a closer relationship and bond. They can help build trust between parent and child. They can also teach valuable skills that your child will later translate into more serious, real-world applications (for example, simple camping now can lead to more serious camping and outdoor skills later).
Most importantly, having an arsenal of activities at hand can combat boredom and relieve stress in a time of upheaval. This can be anything from short-term or long-term illness, loss of a family member, to serious alterations in day-to-day living (war, pandemic, and loss of 'normal' routine).
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