Why I Let Them Take Home Crafts In December
I remember as a kid, I was so excited when I was able to take home one of my art projects that I had made in school to show my parents, especially if I had worked hard on it. There was great pride in my work and I knew my parents would love seeing what I had learned to create.
Fast forward MANY years to adult me as an art teacher. I love it when I see my students get excited over their creations! That “aha” moment when what they were trying to understand finally clicks and the things they envisioned in their mind is now on paper for everyone to see. But the one thing I struggle with is telling the kiddos, “sorry, I have to keep this one for the art show”.
The art show. Kindergarteners who are new to school do not understand what that means even though I tried explaining to them that it is when their parents and their friend’s parents all get to come see their beautiful creations hung on a wall and they all get to tell them how wonderful they did!
But we live in an age of NOW. The kinders reluctantly “let” me keep their work and they go back to class with their coloring sheet instead. I know how disappointed they must feel, but “I promise, the art show is going to look fabulous with your work in it!”.
That is why I let them take their work home in December. There is already so much happening in the weeks leading up to Christmas and I just want to encourage the joy of them sharing their glittery, sparkly, tacky paper Christmas ornaments with their parents. One kindergartner showed me her creation made of pipe cleaners and pony beads (which didn’t look like anything specific) and said while beaming, “look at mine, Mrs. M! I’m going to hang it on my door so when I get up to go find my mom and my dad, I can gaze at it!”.
It may not look like anything recognizable, but she did not struggle to understand a new skill when she made it. She didn’t get frustrated when the class was moving faster than her little hands could work. She was able to freely create at her own pace and because she was so proud of her creation, she was extra excited to take it home and hang it on her door.
December does not need any more stress or pressure. Just a chance to freely create something and take it home for the Christmas tree (or the doorknob).
