I went to a lovely parent education workshop about creating a book-rich environment for children at home, and my first impulse was to go to Amazon.com and start buying some higher quality books for Henry (in addition to these crayons and this paper to help as indirect preparation for writing later on).
And then I had to remind myself: "You're on a really strict budget and don't have any extra money to spend." It's so easy to click a few buttons and have new, shiny things arrive at your doorstep in two days.
So I slowed myself down a bit. I did go ahead and put some new crayons and paper in my cart, but then I let them sit there while I e-mailed Henry's teacher to make sure that she thinks coloring is a good activity for him right now (with those particular kind of crayons). I also decided not to buy any books but instead get them through the library.
Our local library has terrible board books for young children. Most of them are overtly commercialized, trying to sell some kind of toy, etc. Instead, I scrolled through the online catalog and tried to place holds on board books that seemed good. I also put a hold on a nursery rhyme book that I was so tempted to buy on Amazon. It's much wiser to see if I like it first.
So far, I haven't spent a penny on new things for Henry (and I already have six books on the way). I might end up buying the crayons and paper, but it feels good to think about it first.
4 comments:
I'm a children's librarian and I can pretty much guarantee that any board book that you find at the library is going to be covered in baby germs and possibly icky sticky things. We try to keep them nice, but there's only so much we can do. When I'm buying board books as presents for kids (not a mom yet), I usually hit up one of the Half Price Books in our area. They're cheaper than usual and aren't always over-commercialized. I love Leslie Patricelli and Sandra Boynton's board books and I think the books by Paola Opal are just darling.
...At what point is coloring not a "good activity"? Let the kid develop organically and spontaneously - naturally, not subscribed to a strict regimen. I've studied Montessori and it has it's points, but feeling like you have to bounce off the teacher whether to give your kid crayons and paper, and obsessing over if the "particular" kind of crayon is THE RIGHT ONE is unhealthy. Do what you feel is right as a parent. Listen to your heart. It's your kid to raise - not Maria Montessori's.
I second Brittany's comment from above. As long as you don't think he will attempt to eat the crayons and you make sure to show him what the crayons are used for (i.e. not decorating the walls, haha), then I do not see a problem. While I think asking his teacher for her input is nice, in the end you are his mother, and if you think that he can be given some crayons, then give him some crayons. I also think that the Montessori method is a wonderful way to raise a child, but one should also recognize they are just guidelines and not strict rules. Just remember to mold the method to Henry's needs, rather than molding Henry to the method.
Also, if you are looking to make organic crayons, a quick Google search will turn up plenty of DIY ideas. Here is one that I found:
http://becomingsarah.com/index.php?/becoming_sarah/comments/1152/
Hope this helps!
Since, your a creative person how come you don't try making Henry some special crayons. You can melt old crayons into a mold to make a crayon that would work best for him. Have you ever thought of sewing Henry some good cloths books too? I've seen both these projects on Pintrest!
-Jodi :)
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