I used to fear mess. Shaving cream, sand, water, and dirt stayed contained and would be cleaned up quickly. Paint and markers did not come out as often as stickers or crayons. I would get flustered and stressed over a little bit of colorful chaos.
As I continued to work with children year after year, then had my own, I stressed less and less about mess. I still have moments where I freak out in my head, but the more I prepare, observe, and enjoy the interactions, and problem solving going on during the process with my kids, the less I worry about what needs to be washed off later.
I took my younger son to story time at our local library a couple of months ago, and watched a child waltz in with dried paint all over one of his legs and his hands. All I could think was, "Your mom rocks!" Because she didn't seem bothered by it, she seemed to have no fear of it at all.
A friend of mine worked at a child care center with me years ago. She led the two year old class. One day she laid sheets all over the floor of her room, and gave the kids free reign to paint on their bodies. I thought she was the bravest woman ever, but she just had no fear of the mess.
Kids can be cleaned, and messes can be swept. It takes a little more effort with messy materials, but children will return the favor by showing us the effort they put into playing with it; the shapes they made, the cap they figured out how to open, the shades they mixed, or the bucket they filled.
Many successful people take risks with their work. If we show children that we don't fear mess, then they will feel comfortable taking "risks" with their work. Do you fear paint? How do you overcome the fear of mess with your kids?
I used to be one of the careful, don't-get-paint-on-that moms. Now, I try to let my daughter experiment and play - even with the messy stuff. I figure, how long is she even going to want to paint her arms, eat jello with her fingers, splash in mud puddles? Not very long, so I'll just enjoy today, make sure she's wearing old clothes, and keep lots of soap nearby! lol
ReplyDeletePreparation helps so much, but even if there isn't, I have learned to let it go because life is more fun unscripted too! Glad to meet another mom that doesn't mind a little dirt!
Deleteso funny that you said you let crayons out more often than paint. I am totally the opposite. Paint is easy to wash off of stuff but crayons on walls or furniture are a nightmare. I'd much rather have paint handprints up the bannister. We are definitely a full body paint family. Although now he is nearly 4 I do wish Goblin would learn to keep the colours separate!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post, I'm sharing this on the Sunday Parenting Party pinterest board
I think I was more anxious about the paint because it always seems to = a faster mess! Your perspective on cleaning crayon has got me thinking because I've never looked at it that way before, but I agree!
DeleteFantastic post, Heather! I especially like the part about taking risks. I never thought of it in that way but you're so right.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you about mess. I occasionally have a little mental freak out about it but the majority of the time I focus on the fun and learning taking place and not what we'll have to clean up afterwards. And when it comes to outside play the dirtier the better!
Thanks Ann. Mess is not as big of a deal as its made out to be sometimes, we clean up everyday, it's just a different kind of mess. When I see a child worry more about the mess than what they are trying to accomplish it makes me think what my reactions to it should be!
DeleteA lovely post and I wholeheartedly agree with you. There is so, so much value in letting children create and get messy.
ReplyDeletewhat a great read. I totally agree with you...there is so, so much value in letting children create and enjoy messy play.
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