It's no secret that keeping young children busy is a constant challenge. My two are currently playing next door with a couple of old tissue-boxes out of which they're making a chicken-house and a caravan. I can hear them now; "this is where they sleep... this is where they eat..." "Chicky sleeps outside?" "No... she sleeps with you Dorty."
Mimi's current nickname for Lotti is "Dorty." It took me a while to figure out what she meant. It's short for daughter. And why that? "Because I'm the big sister which means I get to be Mum when we play... she's the little sister so she's my daughter... and you're Grandma." Thanks.
One of my 'to do' craft challenges was to use a cardboard box to make a Valentines' craft. I decided to use an old tissue box. After a bit of consideration about cutting it up to turn the side panels into cards, or creating a love-robot that predicted long-term compatibility (it was a show in the 80's), and so on, I decided to make a sensory-box. I've seen lots of tactile trays and hands-on-bowls where kids can squeeze and feel different objects made of different materials. Inspired by this touchy-feely time of year, I decided to try the same idea, but with a twist - by putting the bits inside a box so that they were hidden, the kids had to guess what they were feeling inside.
To keep it Valentinsy, I added a strip of my Valentines printpapers (you can use any tissue box and any strip of wrapping paper, printpaper, or the the like). I added a vintage frame from Graphics Fairy onto which I put the words "how do I love thee - let us count the ways." It's a sort-of quote from the Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem.
Inside I placed 'lovely' things such as;
- a button (you're as cute as)
- a felt star (you'll always be my star)
- a patch of pink faux-fur (I love you warm and fuzzy)
- an egg (I've loved you that long)
- a chicken (because I'll always be your mother hen)
- and so on.
It was a fun way to generate a conversation on the different ways we love each other. Use your own ideas, word associations, or tactile ideas to add your own versions of love to your box.
PS - I'd love to attach the Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem but I'm uncertain about copyright issues - feel free to google it - it's beautiful; my favorite lines (I'll risk it) are the opening ones;
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach..."
Doesn't that summarise mother-love? And isn't it amazing to think the love we feel for our children is so unique, and yet so bonding, in that we all love our children that much... doesn't it make you feel instantly closer to other mums... sigh... I love love...
