Perhaps it is because I am a creative myself that I seem to hold a slightly different view point on this topic, but I simply cannot understand why so many parents roll their eyes and sigh when their kids bring projects home from school…

If I were to assume a reason, it would be that so many parents these days end up doing the whole project themselves.

Why is that?

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Could it be because they are a “competitive parent” that wants their child to repeatedly be number one in the class or is it because it is just a “quicker way of getting it done” or – is it because they don’t have enough faith in the fact that their kids would complete it adequately?

Whatever the reason, I think it is a ridiculous approach!

It is a known fact that ANY learning process is magnified when the child actually gets to do something creative or “hands on” alongside the “info” aspect of it. So to my mind, projects are the perfect opportunity for parents to get involved and expand their child’s learning experience.

No, I am NOT saying do it for them – I am saying get involved WITH them and have fun!

Doing your child's projects is not doing anyone any favours! Firstly it adds to your already "heavy load" of "to do's" and more importantly it is NOT going to help your child to actually learn anything!

Getting actively involved with your child when doing a project at home, makes the learning process a lot more fun for them and it also affords you both some real quality time together.

I think it is a perfect “win win” for both parent and child alike! Especially when you look at how limited quality time with our children can be in today’s pressured world!

Playing an active part in the creation process with them is also a massive de-stress for both parties. It takes your childs possibly “reluctant approach” to it and replaces it with one of enthusiasm. Kids love nothing more than to do stuff with their mom or dad – it is truly their “ultimate!”

As for the parents, this kind of activity is wonderful because it takes you right out of your mundane and stressful daily routine and shoves you into a place where you are more relaxed, feeding your creative juices and momentarily “escaping”.

Hey… you might even learn a thing or two as well! ;)

Projects are the FUN attribute to learning and they should be treated as such.

Today my son Jude and I worked on his latest project titled "Mini Beasts" - They have been learning all about minibeasts and he has to build his own bug using material such as boxes, paper, pipe cleaners etc.

They have to create a new species, name their creation, think about what their bug eats, where it lives and so on and complete the accompanying bug book which was supplied by the school.

What a cool project! Well I think so anyway. Jude previously made mention of wanting to focus on a chameleon... so we will had to come up with a unique name for his bug.... hmmm.... decisions, decisions....

Well, Jude LOVES dinosaurs so we combined the two... and a "charmasaurus" it was...

we used whatever we had lying around the house - which was kind of the idea by instruction from the teacher too... which consisted of an old Kinderjoy wrapper, a shell, some paper clips, the head of an old toy and a little paint...

but let me tell you... this little fella has some super cool "qualities" according to Jude... He's Green and Grumpy, He has lazer eyes, shoots green slime, alien legs and he eats lobsters and crabs. lol

Introducing.... (drum roll)....

THE CHARMASAURUS (hehehe)

Now THAT is one cool looking little dude!!! - and the bug isn't too bad either ;)

hehehehe...

Until next time...

Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx

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