COLOR 🎨 MY NAME

Before a child ever learns to read the book in their hand or write their name on a piece of paper, they will have learned to recognize their own name. Sure, you can have them write it down a million times or trace it, but we know that children learn BEST when something interests them. So why not give them something interesting? Create for them the kind of learning that happens when they think they’re “just playing;” because they are. In a sense, they’re “playing school” and exploring every detail of a carefully thought out craft by someone loves them…without any of the pressure.

Today I took a page from @montessorifromtheheart playbook and tried my hand at salt painting. If we’re being honest, hers was far more beautiful and with time, I suspect I’ll get better at it. But it wasn’t the beauty I was after; it was the engagement.

For the first time, B took a dropper and started tracing the letters of her name in full strokes. 🤗 I could hardly contain my excitement, although she was too enthralled in mixing colors and looking at salt crystals up close to notice. 🔎

THESE are the moments every parent, teacher, therapist, and caregiver hope for. We just need to make sure we’re less caught up in the beauty of the product than the beauty of the process. Because being in love with learning is one of the most beautiful things there is. ❤️

Tell me, have you ever tried salt painting?