MAKE MAGNETS DAY!

This toddler may be only 2 1/2 years old, but it's the perfect age to introduce some basic creative skills that she'll use throughout her lifetime.  Kids are naturally curious about the world around them and love to figure out how things work.  Today we're making our own magnets using a Xyron (Creative Station) and a printed project page from my "Annie Lang's Paper Clip Halloween" activity book. I first let my granddaughter explore the machine and she soon discovered that art needs to go through the machine and not in it!  She also felt the need to wear "glasses" because I wear reading glasses when working on projects.  I removed the lenses from an old pair of reading glasses and she now keeps them in her craft supply caddy.  Keeping in mind that most most toddlers have a 15-20 minute attention span, creative project undertakings should be structured around that time frame.  Making magnets is a perfect way to practice using scissors while creating something fun to be played with. Here are some tips to make your toddler's creative projects a happy time of exploration.

• Gather supplies needed BEFORE you begin your project.  You can use bags or boxes to hold everything you're child will be using and them let them tell you what each object is as they take it out of the container (scissors, glue stick, red paper, pencil, etc.)  
• If it's going to be a particularly "messy" project, keep an old t-shirt on hand to wear over their street clothes.  I have found that many toddlers do NOT want to wear plastic garbage bags over their clothes which I suspect is because they do not like the "crinkling" sound of the bag or that black shiny plastic simply creeps them out!
• Only introduce one project at a time and keep it simple.  Children will lose creative interest quickly if presented with too much of a good thing!  
• If see your toddler becoming frustrated or overly agitated with a project, wrap things up as quickly as possible and let them move on to another activity.   If they are not having fun, believe me, YOU won't either.  Sometimes a project may be above their motor skills level so you might just want to reintroduce it at a time when you feel they ready for it.
• Never expect perfection.  The fun is in the creative process and not the final results!  You don't get "think out of the box" adults from "stay in the lines or you have failed" children.   
• Once the toddler leaves a project to do something else, clear it away immediately.  Kids have a way of wanting to come back to things later, but they'll soon figure out their project time is something special and it's not going to be there when the table gets set for dinner.  If you plan for 15-20 minute toddler projects, they'll will be more apt to focus and stay on task as time goes on.
• Share in their creative pride and do not criticize imperfections.  My rule of thumb has always been ... Positive comment followed by possible suggestion followed by positive comment.  A good example would be "That tree you painted is amazing! Maybe next time we can add some red apples on it.  I love the way you put so many branches on it."

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, child care provider or teacher, hands-on creative time spent with a toddler has rewards that no tv program or tablet app will ever match!