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Welcome to the February 2015 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Do It Yourself

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants are teaching us how to make something useful or try something new.

to hang on their doors or the walls of their rooms. As soon as children are aware of letters whether they can recognize them or not, they are capable of learning how to construct them with a parent’s help. Once they are older they can do the whole project themselves with easy instructions.

This project can be done over and over as the child gets older and wants to redesign their names. A six-year-old child’s rendition of their name is certainly different than a teenager’s version.

Instructions for a Preschool and Grade School Child

Big bold letters of the child’s first name can be made out of oak tag or cardboard that can be cut easily.
1. Parent or child draws each letter in big bold capital letters. If the child isn’t old enough to draw a letter, after the parent designs the shape, the little one can trace over it.
2. With or without parent assistance cut out the letters. Remember perfection isn’t important. Jagged edges make for an interesting art project just as well as straight even edges.
3. Paint or color each letter. Use multiple colors if the child desires. Certainly let the child pick the colors. Each letter can even have multiple colors.
4. Designs can be drawn on each letter that shows the child’s interests as the child gets older.
5. Add glitter and ribbons and little glued on Lego pieces or small Match Box Cars. Whatever shows the child’s interest and will stay stuck on tight to each letter.
6. When each letter is dry spend lots of fun time deciding where the name should be hung. If your child shares a room, more than one name can be put on a door or on different walls in the room.
7. Hang the letters with little cup hooks or those sticky tabs that don’t take paint off walls and can easily be removed. Check in a craft store for all kinds of options.

Instructions for a Pre-Teen or Teenager

If this name project hangs for a few months or years, kids may want to redo it to match their new interests and abilities. The same steps are followed only now the child does the project on their own with the parent ooh-ing and ah-h-ing at every step.
The child can progress to heavier materials, even wood if a parent teaches them how to use a sawing tool to cut out the letters.

Building Self-Esteem

It’s a wondrous feeling for a child to see their name brightly hung each time they enter their room. It says they are important and have created something meaningful of their own. A name says, “I am myself.” “I accept who I am.” “I am special.” “I have my own place.”
Whether your child enters their room in an up or down mood depending on the day, they feel recognized and validated. A name is a great self-esteem builder, especially when the child has been part of the project that grows as they grow.

 

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Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• DIY: Homeschooling — Have you considered homeschooling but aren’t sure how you could make it work? Kerry of City Kids Homeschooling offers some do-it-yourself encouragement in a guest post at Natural Parents Network.
• Super Easy Berry Freezie — Tracy at Raised Good shows how to make healthy, delicious, dairy-free ice-cream for toddlers and their families in under 10 minutes.
• How to Get Kids to Behave in Church — Becca at The Earthling’s Handbook explains how she’s been able to participate in religious activities that mean a lot to her, without being separated from her kids.
• Valentine’s Slippers — A sneak peek at Life Breath Present‘s crochet process with some slippers for Hun for Valentine’s Day this year!
• Make your own soothing postpartum pads — Lauren at Hobo Mama shows you how to freeze padsicles for perineal comfort after birth, plus bonus healing options.
• Beginning Knitting Project for Kids: Knit a Pikachu — What do you do with all of those practice squares you knit when you are a beginner? Turn them into Pokemon! Kieran, 7-year-old son of Dionna at Code Name: Mama, brings us a video tutorial for this awesome knitting project for kids and adults.
• Name Creations: An Inspiring Project that Builds Self-Esteem — Children love their names. Learn easy instructions for children, tweens and teens to put a dramatic name on their door or room wall from Laurie Hollman, Ph.D., at Parental Intelligence.
• Water-Bead Sensory Bottles for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now shares a tutorial for making a rainbow of water-bead sensory bottles along with ideas for using them with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.