One of the things I am starting to do is some more loosely structured activities with them at home on days where we aren't out and about. This way I feel that there is more impact and meaning to the time we have together. One of the things we have started doing is some arts and crafts time together. Although we have only had a few sessions I thought I'd share some of my tips which seem to have made it easier for us all. After all, it's supposed to be fun!
Use a happy time slot
Start your art slot at a time when you know your little ones should be fairly happy - fed, changed, not too tired.
Keep it short
I've found that for us all to be happy, activities which don't need either too much preparation time or require too much time at the activity work best. That way you don't get frustrated if they don't like the activity or it doesn't last that long, and they don't get fed up because they get bored.
Be realistic in your expectations
Don't set out thinking you'll be creating works of art! I've found the sessions have worked best where I don't mind what it looks like at the end (they are only 20 months old!) and we have just had fun with what we are doing in the moment. Focus on process, not outcome. Want to keep some of the art? Initial and date so you know who did what, and when.
Be prepared
Ooh, this is the big one! It helps if you have everything set up and ready so you don't have to go out of the room once you get started! Depending on what sort of painting or other craft activity we are doing this can include:
All the paint and paper we need for the activity
- Painting overalls
- Wipes/flannel
- Paper
- Any accessories such as stamps, bubble wrap etc, paintbrushes
- Sticky tape - I make little circles of bits of tape and use these to stick the paper we are working on to the table. You just need to be gently when you are moving the paper off the table not to rip it.
Be observant
Watch to see how the activity is doing. Spend time concentrating and praising each child for their progress. Offer help if it is needed. Keep an eye out for them getting bored of the activity and get ready to stop before they get fed up.
Prepare a transition
Tell them when you're about to get ready to stop. If you can, get them involved in tidying up, wiping up. Often I will have something else that we are going to do ready as the next thing, even if it is as simple as a sit down with a story.
Make a memory
Keep the best, sign and date them and pop them in a scrap book. I have a book for each of the boys with their name on front.
Final tips
An extra twin tip someone gave me was remember they don't have to be doing exactly the same activity (although you know your twins to know if doing different things could cause more trouble!). If you think it is going to be messy then one could paint and the other could colour or do stickers.
If you want to get started but you are afraid of the mess, then using bubble wrap or a potato cut in half could help you - just dab them in a little paint rather than letting them control the paint pot!
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