Part of helping kids to grow is challenging them to explore and utilize the myriad of intellegences that reside in their bodies.  Gross motor skills, emotions, logical reasoning, fine motor skills, empathy, planning, and on and on and on.

I try hard to teach these different things to my children through interactions in our everyday lives.  I include them in my own efforts and learning (see HERE).  As I work through projects, I explain my thinking so my boys hear the logic behind my choices.  I try to expose them to ways of thinking and living that are different from what my husband and I have chosen.  And, most of all, I do my best to capitalize on their interests.

About a month ago we visited a museum with a display of intricate basketry.  A basket woven into the shape of a cat particularly enchanted my 5-year-old. (With good reason, it was remarkable!).  He asked me if I could teach him how to weave a basket of his own.

Now my basket-weaving skills are fairly limited, but I know enough to help him do something basic.  So we pulled out our reeds and our other basket-making supplies (we have a kit like THIS; there are also more complex kits like THESE) and I got him started.

He sat and worked conscientiously for almost an hour.  He carefully wove his reeds in and out.  If he noticed a mistake, he would take it out and redo that section.  He persisted until he had finished his project.  And as he worked, he learned.

He learned to pay attention to details.  He learned how to hold his fingers to keep his reeds from unraveling as he wove.  My son worked on his fine motor skills, such as enhancing his pincer grip (the strength between the thumb and forefinger).  In addition, he was able to develop his creativity and express himself artistically.  Importantly, he persevered as he worked, on his own, through the problems he encountered.  He enhanced his hand-eye coordination.  Finally, he thought about how he would utilize his basket after he finished it.  (He’s currently using it to store his beloved collection of mini animal figurines).

And, most importantly, he had a lot of fun in the process.

It’s important to me that my children see all types of learning as an enjoyable part of everyday life.  By helping my boys to engage in projects that inspire their interests and stretch their abilities, I hope that I am doing just that.