Teaching the Art of Sharing (Art Studio Diaries # 2)

My 3.5 y.o. been going to preschool for two years and the only three questions I've asked repeatedly whenever I bump into his teachers and supervisors are: is he happy and enjoying school? Is he disciplined? Does he play well with others? And the answer has been YES, everytime. 

But things are a bit different when mommys around, aren't they? With mom around he thinks it's his right to complain and as a mom for me to interfere, and make things right. After all, I'm the one who is with him the maximum amount of time, who holds him tight when he's hurt. I'm the one he climbs on top of when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

With playmates, most times its peaceful co-existence, such as they play with the sensory bin (containing coffee beans and kitchen utensils: Don't know what it is- but kids are fascinated by this bin!)

Painting by rolling car, bike & digger wheels on paint and then paper

But then there are meltdowns becuz his playmate took his pebble (yeah, pebble). And sometimes it gets me flustered, I.e, if it's in my Art Class! He will want the same color the other ones using or the same brush.

Don't we all wish things got okay only their own! Children will wise up and 'get' it? They don't. Sigh!

      

Painting by rolling car, bike & digger wheels on paint and then paper

Like I'd written in a post earlier, "why I don't trick my child to make my life easy", amidst all the tantrums and crazy obsessions (eg, fighting over a pebble) children are very logical! The *only* way to convince him is to give him a proper and reasonable explanation. NOT during the meltdown, but *before* entering the situation itself. My Art Class was an opportunity to teach him the Art of Sharing!
 

Stamping: Blocks with Yarn tied around them

Stamping: Blocks with Yarn tied around them

So Here's how the conversation went the night before an Art Class:

Me: you like it when your friends comes over, ya?

Him: yes!

Me: you like playing alone?

Him: no! Why are you going somewhere ? (Lol!)

Me: no, I'm not. But your friends coming tomorrow. When you're alone, you have ALL the toys and paints ALL for yourself. So when your friend comes, let him also play with your paints ok? You like playing with your friend right? So let him also play, and when he goes, ALL toys and paints are ALL for you again! So when he plays, just wait for 5 mins for him to finish, and then ask for it ok? That's how you Share.



That did the trick. 
  

  

Stamping: Circles & Squares

Next day when his playmate took the orange paint, he screamed "I want orange too!!" Then walked over to his side and said "you use orange, and after 5 mins give it to me ok?" My proud mommy moment! 

So after two Art Sessions full of tantrums and meltdowns, I finally had a peaceful one. And after it was over, I mentioned this in front of his dad and gave him a toblerone.
  

Stamping: Circles & Squares

Although the toblerone "sealed the deal", A LOT of handholding is required! Constant reminders, before and during the situation. Constant till it's drilled in their heads and it comes naturally to them!

Other than sharing there are a few manners I'm trying to rectify. I love it when children are blunt, c'mon he has his full life ahead to be diplomatic. But that doesn't mean he should bang the phone down if he doesn't want to talk. or turn his head and walk away if someone he doesn't like gives him an enthusiastic hello! 

Painting by rolling Ping Pong Balls in Paint, then on paper

The aim is to be "borderline polite", without being diplomatic or a pushover. So the new habit I've taught him is to just say "I don't want to talk now, I'll call you later okay?" Before keeping the receiver down. (At most times, he wants to talk just two mins later!).
 

Painting by rolling Ping Pong Balls in Paint, then on paper

My dream list is endless: Talk softly in the stairwell, library, book stores. No interrupting when adults are talking. Playing everyones songs by turns in the car. 

What's in your agenda? Your current dream list?

The pictures in this post contain some Art Studio activities, stamping circles & squares, painting by rolling cars over paint and then paper, paint with ping pong balls, stamping with yarn tied around blocks. All these required sharing and taking turns!

Looking for more Art Activities for Little Kids?

for Potato Stamping, click here
for Lemon Wedge Flowers, click here
more on Paint with Ping Pong Balls, click here
more on Painting with Yarn, click here

Until later! Stay in touch!

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