Looking to keep up with your child’s ever-evolving personality and interests as they grow? Take a cue from the slow parenting approach, which advocates following a child’s pace and interests, and avoiding over scheduling and activity-planning.
Since slowing down can seem a task in itself, here are 4 ideas of simple and inevitably slow paced educational activities for kids:
© Joanna Goddard
The concept is simple: take a walk with your child, and at each junction, let them toss a penny in order to determine which way to go. As you let chance show the way, let your child explore their surroundings as they please. Joanna Goddard —founder of A Cup of Jo, which we also mentioned here— and her two boys have been enjoying these “low-key adventures”.
© Jen via Love Taza
This activity can be a great way to give your child a glimpse at the notion of abstraction at large. As suggested by Jen (from Jen Loves Kev) on Love Taza, start by giving your child a simplified explanation of what abstract art is (if you are no specialist, there are a lot of online ressources). With her daughter, Jen focused on the notion that abstract art is created without a specific subject matter, emphasizing that stories and emotions can still be expressed through it. She then showed her paintings by Rothko, de Kooning, Kandinsky, and Pollock, while asking what she thought each picture was about. Before painting, ask your child how they are feeling, and encourage them to pick out colors that they think best represent these feelings. Then let them dribble the paint on a piece of paper, and encourage them to use brush strokes that best convey their sentiments.
© Miss Patina
Nostalgic for letters? Keep your child in the loop with Letters for Kids. Literary blog The Rumpus sends out two letters a month written for kids by childrens’ books authors — with a return address. Aside from the excitement that comes with receiving a letter, this is a great way to get little ones to expand their horizons and discover new authors and books. An alternative would be to arrange a correspondence between your child and a friend or family member.
© Oh! Crafts
Using a cotton bud or a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, have your child write or draw something, which will come to light before their eyes when placed near a heat source for a few seconds (a light bulb or toaster will do, under supervision!). Things often aren’t as they appear, and this craft can make for a good conversation-starter on the topic. Oh! Crafts encourages kids to share invisible messages with friends: why not send one in the mail?
What are your favorite slow-paced family activities?
