Being invited to enjoy a great meal our friend with Pete a few evenings back was quite a blessing, in a few different ways. Pete teaches programs for Full Spectrum Farms, a residential facility for autistic adults. It's an incredible learning environment that within the last year has added a farm/homestead to their program, giving the kids more hands on practical learning without being indoors all the time. Pete herself is quite a wonderful and facinating person, incredibly creative and just being around her sparks my creativity.So when she offered to show and tell her latest adventures and library full of naturally creative books, I was all about it!
I poured through her unique collection of books, most of which you won't find any more in any bookstore. I have always loved natural eduction, a sort of unschooling. Practical application of hands on activities {thus my love for handmade} and imaginative play is great for kids of all ages. And it wouldn't hurt some adults to remember to play more often as well. Anyhow this subject has been on my mind eversince.
Since the subject of creative play is so near to my heart and my backgorund is in childcare, I thought I would share a few great books/websites on my radar lately. Although my boys are into more sophisticated play now days, this is where their seventeen and eighteen year old minds began not too long ago and we were knee deep in crafting costumes made of scraps and filling our days here on the farm with the most interesting moments. The best way to help your child form a creative mind is just to let them play.
Action Pack. "A mini mag for kids who like to do".
Amanda Soule, aka Soule Mama writes a really cool blog, about everyday creative discovery with family. Here's one of her three books, all very well written and full of ideas and creative play projects. You can see her other books for sale on her blog.
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