Let Them Be

So I have been doing a lot of research and learning lately about early childhood education. I'm not really going to get into my insights or opinions here, however, TODAY I learned something pretty profound all on my own.

I found THIS activity and thought it looked like fun. Painting fall trees using egg cartons to stamp leaves. This appealed to me because neither of my big boys like any arts and crafts that require getting their hands messy, so finger painting or hand/foot prints are always out. Plus I love the colours of fall.

So I painted two trees so Daniel could stamp one and Jacob could copy the other. I put the appropriate colours out on a tray for them, cut up an egg carton, and had everything all set to go before I called them to the table. NOTE: they have been asking to do a craft for awhile, it has just been hard for me to get organized. Anyways...

This took Daniel about 4 seconds.

Jacob painted his tree, not listening to me at all, and then spent 2 seconds stamping the leaves.

I was annoyed. 

Then Jacob wanted my other pre-painted tree and gave it some "pokey" branches and a face before adding the leaves. 

Notice the addition of green paint that he asked for.

Meanwhile, Daniel wanted to paint his own tree and I ended up with this masterpiece entitled "Daniel (who has a beard) Hugging A Tree" ... I love it. 

I begin to realize that I should just back off and let them be.

And then when I back off completely I get this beautiful piece of artwork. 

"For Mommy" he says. I want to cry.

And this. When Daniel saw Jacob's dragon fly he asked for another paper and he painted "The Dragonfly Gets a Bandaid at the Hospital" ... And that is his signature at the top.

Stupid fall tree with stamped leaves. My kids' original, no mommy help or direction, paintings are way more awesome and totally worth hanging on the wall.